The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1900-06-08


holy political aims; to present spectacle
so inspiring to humanity; as we stand,
the noblest representative of all Tnat is
pure in religion, conservative in govern
ment or ennobling in freedom-the one
commanding conquering republic, unehal-
lenged in her leadership and unapproacha-
BILE in her isolation of grandeur and glory.
Loyal as l believe myself to be to all
States and sections, as well as to the great
republic itself, 1 nevertheless declare my
conviction that Kentucky's history taken
as a whole entities her 20 position in
the front rank of States. Look at her
early struggles with stealthy and blood
thirsty savages in the wilds of an unbrok-
en- wilderness, when her bold pioneers
were all heroes and their wives and
daughters were all heroines. When even
her faitnIul black slaves caught the con-
tagion of courage and of sacrifice. What
story in fiction, for example, can compare
in romantic interest to that of Kentucky's
three maidens captured and borne away
by Indians, and rescued by their three
lovers after long and eager pursuit day
and night through dense canebrakes and
tangled junglesl What creation of fancy
ever equaled in thrilling details the story
of Kentucky's brave matron, Mrs. Woods,
who barred her cabin door against howl
ing savages, while the only one who forced
an entrance met his death at the hands Of
her dauntless daughter, who with uplift-
ed ak struck him down and chopped of
his head as he was held to the floor by the
lame but heroic black slave? Would that
the short time allotted me permitted q
reference to the long list of other heroines
of Kentucky's early history, and to her
Daniel Boones, and her Clarks, and II
host of other stalwart men and brave
women who thus blaZed out the highway
of progress and of freedom.
Beginning her life amid such surround
ings, reared to Statehood upon food so
conducive to exalted manhood and noble
womanhood, is it any wonder that Ken
tucky's daughters of today are the pride
of a great commonwealth and chaHenge
universal recognition as among the fair
est, the truest and tenderest of our peer
less women? Is it any wonder that the
Kentucky of today boasts of the proud
array of her great sons, of her Breckin-
ridges, of her Clays and her Crittendens,
her Helms and her Hansons, her. Marshalls
and her Morgans; and her almost endless
catalogue of soldiers and statesmen
worthy the highest inches in our republi-
can pantheon? Is it any wonder that
from such a field, sown with such seed,
we should today gather this harvest of
generosity and lavish tribute to the heroic
remnants of the immortal Confederate
armies? Is it any wonder that such plant
ing and such culture should have pro-
duced hospitality as free as the air, and
as boundless as the ocean?
In conclusion, permit me briefly to re-
call another chapter in Kentucky's life;
a chapter which embraces the most mo-
mentous period of her history, or of the
history of this republic. During the stu
pendous conflict between the American
States, Kentucky's most famous families
and all classes of her people were repre-
sented in both the Union and Confederate
armies. In her marvellous fecundity she
had previously given birth to both Jeffer-
son Davis anu Abraham Lincoln. These
two great sons, born within a few miles
of each other, nurtured on the bosom of
this common mother, were destined in
Gods mysterious providence to find homes
in different sections, to grow up under
different institutions, to become the repre-
sentatives of conflicting civilizations and
the respective presidents of contending re-
publics. The one was to die at last dis
franchised by the government which he
had long and faithfully served, and for
whose flag he had shed his blood on
Mexican soil. The other was to meet
his death by an assassin's bullet.
"In like manner Kentucky's counsellors
were divided; some for the Union, some
r g. Ill.
ably strove to keep her aloof from the
impending conflict; to render her passive
and neutral; but there was no such word
as neutrality in Kentuckys lexicon. Neu-
trality never had been and never will be
Kentucky's role. 1t could not be the pol
icy of such a people; for neutrality IS
nowhere an attitude of human progress,
nor of Gods economy. Neutrality has no
place in masterful minds, nor in heroic
hearts. Neutrality has never yet de Sel-
oped great character, nor characterized
a great people, nor written one sparkling
page in human history. Kentucky, there
fore, would have none of it. Governors
might proclaim neutrality, Legislatures
might enact it; but no edicts nor statutes
could chain down the unconquerable spirit
of Kentucky's sons. Into the one army
or the other they went as their convic-
tions guided them. And wherever they
fought, whether for the Union of all the
States, or the independence of the South
ern States; whether they followed the flag
of this great republic or the fiery cross
of battle which represented the aspira-
tions of the Southern people for separate
nationality and constitutional freedom;
under whatever banner or leaders they
were marshaled, Kentucky's sons wrote
their noble record on history's most lum-
inous pages.
Heaven bless, protect and guide Ken
lucky. May harmony and Christian fel-
lowship rule in all her counsels and peace,
JOY and plenty abide forever in all her
homes"
At the conclusion of Gen. Gordons
speech, which was punctured with ap-
plause, he stepped back to the front of
the platform and said:
Now, boys,'-a yell of delight was the
reply. "Now," went on the General, 81
want all of you who can sing to sing
'Auld Lang Syne,' and those of you who,
can't sing pretend they can"
Second Day.
Louisville, May 3l-All the officers of
the United Confederate Veterans were re-
elected this afternoon by acclamation. The
election was put through in record time,
the whole thing taking less than one min
ute.
The list of officers is as follows:
Gen. John b. Gordon, General Com
manding.
Lieutenant General Wade Hampton,
Army of Northern Virginia Department.
Lieutenant General I'D. Lee, command.
ing Army of Tennessee Department.
Lieutenant General W. L. Cabell, COM
mandino Trans -AIississinni Dena rtnnant