Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-10-26
The Filth Annual Convention of the
Daughters of the Confederacy.
PORTSMOUTH THE PLACE
Interesting Addroaso, by Women
wh"so Henrts are Engaged In "a
Grens worh-untters of I,npor-
snnce,o All Tho.o VINO Love tho
History of Their state ma tho
Trndi,ions OF or pcopic.

ton met in Tidewater Virginia, Ports
mouth being the city selected and
Stonewan Camp. Confederate Veterans,
hall the appropriate place for the as
sembling of the delegates in attendance
upon the session, which is the fifth an
nual gatherfg OF this interesting body
or ladies loyal to the traditions of their
brave and chivalric fathers. brothers
and other dearly beloved kinsmen.
The hall was most lastly decorated
with ferns, palms and flowers. Confecle-
rate bunting and battle flags being con-
Splclous among the decorations, the
charming picture being complete when
the hall became comfortably well filled
with visiting delegates and members of
Portsmouth Chapter, the handsome ar
rnngements making decidedly har-
monous back ground for the beautiful
ladies' and their splendid toilettes.
Mrs. Edwin H. O'Brien, of Alexan-
dria. Va. the president OF the Virginia
Division. called the assemblage to order
and presided with grace and dignity,
demonstrating an excellent knowledge
OF parliamentary procedure.
The Rev. DR.. w. It. Fisher, pastor of
the Fourth Street Baptist Church, was
introduced and opened the proceedings
with prayer.
The address of welcome was made by
Mrs. Alice III. jenkins, president of
Portsmouth Chapter, Mrs. Edwin H.
O'Brlen responding.
MRS. JENKINS ADDRESS.
Ladies OF the Convention of the United
Daughters of the Confcderncy for the
State of Virginia.:
1T gives us great pleasure to well
come you to our City by the Sea- The
interest which assemblies this convcn-
ton has here always been tcnderely
cherished. This interest has organized
q chapter OF the United Daughters OF
the Confederacy, the memorial society
or our town, which claims TO be the
Oldest society of It's kind in the South,
and the Camp Of Confederate Veterans.
who have kindly rendered their hall for
our use during the convention.
Last year this convention met at
Apponattox, the Omega of the Confedc-
rate cause. This meeting assemblies
where the Infancy of that cause was
watched with faith and hope.
The old story of the terror which
lllled our hearts al the coming of the
Pawnee; the ccntlagration of the navy
yard In April 1861. which made an iilu-
mtnation of our town at such great
cost: the second destruction of the yard
during the next year. and the memora-
Die battle OF the Merrimac. These ana
various incidents of war records make
us n thrilling history of the troublous
days in the great sectional struggle.
However. 1t is not the horrors of
war that we are Ia consider, but the
hcroism that was born of this struggle
and here we have n record Of which we
are proud
History states that the city OF
Portsmouth sent more men to the Con-
icderalc cause than there were voters
III the city that from the general at
The head of his brigade to the humblesL
soldier in the ranks. fame crowned their
Drows with an amaranthine wreath that
VIII never fade 1t Is 10 treasure the
records made by the men in the various
parts of our State that we are banded
together to perpetuatc the stories of ouI
DTUYes. which. frfr tn tradition. would
soon be oblitcratcd. 1t should be the
most important purpose laid down In
our constitution to preserve n written
record of each individual who gave n
helping hand in the great struggle In
this way we may give the best ma tcrial
for tho future historian.
while we add these links to the
chain OF sacred memories. we will send
our earnest plea hcavenward that peace
may soon be restored to our land. and
mat the biood-staincd records OF war
Shall be forever closed.
This convention. United Daughters
or the Confederacy, is the last i'm this
century. We look not mo,irnfully into
the past, but go forth to meet the
shadowy future without fear. believing
} that this band of women, consccra ted
to be the custodans OF memories. will
be true to all the patriotic duties that
the new century may present and tina
the heroes of to-day may hold place
with the enshrined chieftains OF yester.
day.
portsmouth has always been ready
to extend an open hand to strangers
who come TO her shores. and on this oc-
easion she bids the Daughters of the
Confederacy welcome to her homes
and her heartiest cheer"
MRS. sO'BTtIIGN'S RESPONSE.
while 1 recognize the duty required
OF me. as your representative, to re-
spond to the cordial welcome so beauti-
FULLY phrased and happily worded that
each delegate and visitor feels herself
an honored guest still I fully realize
my inability to do so in proper man
ner.
I'm the early sixties the Confederate
soldiers OF Portsmouth We're always 10
be found where duty called; at the
present day the noble band of women
comprising the Portsmouth Chapter. by
many acts of charity. love and kind.
ness. have shown not only their unwill-
1ngness to forget, but their determine
ton to remember the gallant and heroic
deeds OF our soldiers In gray and. in
the United Daughters of the Confede-
raoy. are always In the front rank.
Daughters of the Confederacy is a
ute or honor and proud, indeed, should
be the women who are entitled to wear
1t Tor its badge. the stars and bars. was
the standard of heroic men. l find
many such here to-day. In the name
or the Virginia Division acknowledge
with much appreciation the honor OF
ter" N""p-
as COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
me president announced that owing
TO q happy event in the life Of tile re-
cordinE secretary, Mrs. Gertrude How
ard. of Lynchburg. she Is unable TO al
tend the convention. It is 4 understood
Z that the reference was made to Mrs,
Il HOWARD marriage which is to take
place during the present week. In was.
I, therefore, ne cessary, aid Mrs. O'Brien,
& to elect a. recording secretary pro tenn.
Miss Virginia sGrt I'm. Of Portsmouth;