Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-31
CONFEDERATE
REUNION.
Continued from Page I

SOntinuGQ from rage
sons. Of her Disadvantages, of her Clays
and her Criuendens, her Helms and
her Hansons her Marshalls anu her
Morgans: and her almost endless cata-
logue of soldiers and statesmen worthy
tho highest inches in our republican
Pantheon? Is X any wonder that from
such Il field. sown with such seed, we
should today gather this harvest Of
generosity and lavish tribute to the
heroic remnants of the immortal Con-
federaite armies? Is it any wonder that
such planting and such culture should
have produced a hospitality as free as
the air. and as boundless as the ocean?
In conclusion permit me briefly to re-
call another chapter in Kertucky's life
chapter which embraces the most mo-
meiitous period Of her history or of the
history of this republic. During the
stupendous conflict between the Ameri-
can States, Kentucky's mos. famous
families and all classes of her People
were represented in both the Union and
Confederate armies. In her marvellous
fecundity, she had previously given
birth to both jefferson Davis and Abra-
ham Lincoln. These two great sons
born within Il few months and miles of
each other. nurtured on the bosom of
this common mother, were destined in
Gods mysterious providence to find
homes in different sections. 10 grow up
under different institutions to become
the representatives of conflicting civili-
cations and the respective presidents Of
contending republics. The one was to
die at last DISTINGUISHED by the gov
eminent which he had long and faith
fully served, and for whose flag he had
Shed his blood on Mexican soil The
other was to meet his death by an as
sassin's bullet.
In like manner Ken;ucky's counsel
lors were divided-some for the Union.
some for the Confederacy These coun-
sellers 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 Ken
tucky's lexicon. Neutrality never had
been nor never will be Kentucky's role.
cottt not be the policy OF such
people; Tor neutrality is nowhere an at
tribute OF human progress nor of Gods
economy. Neutrality has no place in
masterful minds nor in heroic hearts.
Neutrality has never yet developed n
great character nor characterized n
great people, nor written on sparkling
page In human history. kentucky,
therefore. would have none Of it. Gov
ernors might proclaim neutrality, Leg
islaiures might enact it. but no cdiCts
nor statutes could chain down the I'M
conquerablc spirit or Kentucky's sons.
into the one army or the other they
went as their convictions guided them
And wherever they fought. whether for
the Union OF all the States or the indie
pendcnce of the Southern States. wheth-
err they followed the flag of this great
republic or the fiery cross of battle
which represented the aspirations OF the
Southern people for separate national
lily and cons titutional freedom under
Whatever banner or leaders they were
unarshaled, Kentucky's sons wrote their
noble record on history's most luminous
pages.
Heaven bless, protect and guide Ken
lucky. May harmony and Christian
fellowship rule in all her counsels, and
peace, JOY and plenty abide forever in
all her homes
AT the conclusion Of General Cor
uon's speech, which was punctuated
with applause, he stepped back to the
front of the platform and said:
NOW, boys n yell OF delight was
the reply.
Now" went on the General, II want
all OF you who can sing the song, "AuId
Lang Syne," and those of You can't
sing pretend that they can"
DIR. PALMER'S.
1t was roared Justify by the boys"
General Gordon introduced Dr. b. NJ.
Falmer, of New Orleans, the orator of
the day, whose address was eloquent
and scholarly He analysed in IL lucid
manner the causes and conditions that
LED up to the war. Speaking of the re-
suit of the war he said:
When the will of the strongest in
stead of the consent of the governed
pecame the base OF our national struc-
lure n radical transformation took
place. The principle of confedera ton
to- thrift OFF curSufiriTtfon. and
the American nation merged out of the
American Republic.
1t is not my design, however. TO dis
cusS these issues. On the contrary I
nave traced the remote origin OF the
confederate war for n purpose which
Is entirely conciliatcry, and to explain
some thlngs which may appear CONTRA
olctory. 1t enables both parties in this
struggle to give full credit TO each other
for patriotic motives, though under n
mistaken Wow of what that patriotism
may have required 1t shows why no
attempt was Ventured to bring attain
DER or treason against the Southern
chlets, which could not afford 10 no
Ventilated before any civil court under
the terms OF the American Constitu-
tion. IL explains how through n nohle
iolpearance on both sides (always cy-
ceplihS the ihfamics Of the Reconstruc-
tlon PERIOD the wound has been haaIad
IN the complete reconciliation of q al
vided people. 1t explains how we of
the South. convinced OF the ri4rhtrui-
ness OF our cause, can accent dera,.
without me blush of shame mainline
the cieek or single Confederate of nS
all And while accepting the issuos 90
enc WI as 4 decIee " destiny. openly