The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-10-11

arriving at HatteraS next day. Soon
across the bar q deeper moaning than
song of surf was heard, angry cannons
beloved and battered against their has
tily built fort; it fell-the fall of the fort
made the names Of the brave captain who
stood on the parapet and his men i'm
mortal to Southern hearts. They were
the first prisoners of war. What an
honor to sit in a dreary cell on Gov
errors Island. in New York harbor-
with rock overhead and rock under feet;
Nothing but rock the eye to greet;
Rock, and ron bands on the door.
Feeling how wronged forevermore.
After rem inning in prison six months
Captain Spar row was promoted to major,
and until the sorrowful end came was
ever true to his country. His true pa
triotism was fully exemplified during the
dark hours of adversely and degeneracy
that came TO our dear old State when
she stood with upiifted hands pleading
for help. I>Ire gold runs from a fiery
furnace He was tried, battered by pow
erty. home destroyed, a large family to
care for, and il his practice, clients too
poor to pay large fees. Let his State
answer today whether he was true metal
or dross.
Shall I tell you of his beautiful home
life, or is it too, sacred for one to enter?
The name of father is to his children like
the fragrant bre ath of violets on a dewy
morninr. The name of father is ever
spoken in a min or tone around the fam
lily hearthstone. After marriage vows
spoken. he was ever an ardent lover to
her who shared his life. To him love
was life's richest diadem. Fame came
and brought her wreath of laurels Sor-
row came with spray of cypress. But
loves offering was immortal-that of wife
and children.
Among the relics of the home they
have the faded gray coat and battered
sword-th ey are rich indeed. l am sorry
for the RAN or woman who does not
possess . sword, canteen, a scrap of gray
jacket, or Bible, or something that a
Confederate soldier possessed or wore. At
the close of the war he would not take
the oath, but padded twenty miles in a
small boat, thus retaining his sword,
which today hangs proudly upon the
young sons wall. The angels have led
away it's proud possessor to a camp be-
yond the tide. The faded gray coat is
reverently laid away. 1t is far more
priceless than q coat of mail. Think of
the heart throbs that beat convulsively
when thought Of home came. Once a
year, when taken from IT'S sacred resting
place, a curly-headed little grandson
climbs upon mamma knee and says:
Mamma let's see f;randpaS coat" The
little fellow knows nor what he pos
sesses. He has Il history of sorrow ard
love commingled-a history of agony
when the volume of the lost cause was
closed. At tho close Of the war the
women of our town wanted to do some
thing for the few who returned and en-
shrine in memory those gone away.
Major Sparrow organized the first Ladies'
Memorial Assc citation in the State and
the first cv-Confederate Veterans AS
ISOLATION. But he has gone. camping now
upon the eternal plains. The great cap
tain, Jesus Christ. is in command. Across
those sunny p aims you see company
after company, battalion after battalion.
regiment after regiment, all at rest.
camping in the City of Peace. Soon all
will be gone. How lonely we will be
without them. Let's crown them while
we can with our tears. prayers and love.
I must stop. J could fill volumes with
their imperishable renown and glorious
Immortality. In Gods keeping let's leave
til we see them face to face.
The portrait was received by Governor
Jarvis, in q most graceful and appropriate
s-eeck.
Governor Jarvis said
Il have been substituted for the able
young man who was originally to have
received the picture, but who is unavoid-
ably absent. 1t is a pleasure to me, not
only because 1 E&ye reached that age
where it is pleasant to be substituted
for younger man, but because of the
people l represent. In behalf of the
happy eyed womanhood of North Carolina,
| accept this picture. The world knows
and has heard of the Confederate soldier
His bravery and fortitude and fidelity and
nobleness and worth are spoken of
throughout the world. And of those who
have made known the Confederate SOL
diers worth, none are Drawer than he
whose picture is today presented to
you. He did not complain when duty
called. In battle he had no fear and
in camp he found no hardship. He
went where duty called whether it. be
amid the booming cannon or on the long
weary tramp from battle to battle. He
was faithful to the end. The same pa
tient, earnest endurance that character
lied his life during the Sullen times of
war, marked it during those long years
that so tried the patience and integrity
of our people l remember him chiefly
as chairman of the board that preferred
charges against the highest officer in the
State, and the speech he made in prose-
cution of the Governor will always live
in the history of the State as a splendid
specimen of legal learning and matchless
eloquence.
Poverty could not make him despair,
riches could not spoil him. In the path
of duty he always trod and the name
he left to those who bear his name, is
a priceless heritage, and this chapter
may well point to him as a specimen of
splendid manhood"
Vocal solos were charmngly rendered
by Miss Durham, Mrs. Chas. McKimmon
and Miss May Turner, after which deic-
ious refreshments were very daintily
served.
The ladies entertaining the visiting
delegates are expected to attend the re-
ception at the Soldiers Home this after
noon.