Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-31
BERKELEY NEWS and ADVERTISEMENTS

va" ehS sung OA tile Sea-WdNSS. We
stand upon theA soil of Virginia, with
her immortal memories. and her un-
comparable heroes; whose plains and
nils were made red by the blood of the
hobleSt OF the land; whose rivers ran in
crimson torrents to the sea Virginia
wnlch gave Lee End jackson as new
stars in the galaxy Of renown: which
gave n Jefferson to his country and n
washington to mankind. These men.
while they lived. were the impersona-
ioti' OIL all tnat was lofty in sentiment
ana sublime in character; and. dying.
they have left us richer graves than
the jeweled tombs of Kings. But their
tombs are nc dearer TO us than the
humoiest hero that fell. Whether il
be the bronze and marble, or the green
SOD that lies upon the poor mans grave.
they are alike precious 10 the Southern
heart. And so we bring flowers TO ueck
afke the sarccpha gus of the noble and
the strangers nameless tomb.
historians, orators and poets have
told US that these men fought for what
they believed was right!
Women and men of the South: toll
You, these men fought for what was
right. There were some things that
dlinined the splendor of their noble
teachings; but human rights, hatred of
tyranny. opposition to oppressive legis-
lation. and Constitutional government
Will be needed by all men in all gene
rations. The principles by which these
men were animated. and for which they
oied. need to be guarded at this t.n.r.
as much as at any time in the history
OF our country. l know fun well that
our Government has lately achieved
splendid victories. The nations of the
earth nave wondered at our courage in
DANGER, and our might in battle; man.
KIND has been startled by the thunders
OF our navy. and our armies have filed
the people OF all lands with mingled
emotions of admiration and dread
our standing army is increasing: we
are charging our navy: we have broad
eheu our territorial limits. and We have
acquired countless islands in distan,
seas. but all these things may be ONLY
tne premonitory signs of coming decay.
The Roman Republic was greatest Jus,
before the empire. When her eagles
had Mapped their bloody wings over
every cline: when her soldiers had
marched with resistleSs tread TO the
conquest of distant tribes. and when
the law of the Forum was given to the
world in the language OF the Magis
trate. WIS just then that the looms
were weaving the purple robes of en-
pre- and the artist was forging the
scepter Of oppression.
1t is som shines said that nations aro
making history. burt they repeat far
more history than they make. | hum
bly, hope that tho history 20 whi II
nave referred Is not Il prophecy of the
future of our own land.
but some man Will say: Yes. but
your kindred were defeated" l know
thar also. Bun the power of might can
not defeat the principles of right
Truth crushed to earth will r;sc
again.
Tie eternal years. OF God arc hers.
Bat error. wounded, wrs hes in pain
And dies amid her wcrShippers.''
Those who struggle fer the risht may
fall but right herself is sure of inc
ainalanth crown. Leon:das and his
three hundred Spaitans fell mt Their
mopyiae, but upon The spct where they
Dled Their countrymcn erected IL monu-
ment, upon which was inscribed this
sentence: Go. stranger, to Sparta and
say We obeyed the laws and lie here. .
That lesson. which has inspired all pa
triots In all lands. have survived th,
decaying might of time.
The, Beers Will fail. The sun of their
liberties will sink into n sea of bload
And the English. who are land-crab-
bers by habit and oppressols from
taste. VIII plumber them OF their prop-
erty anu destroy their rational exist
snse. But the fires of patriotism which
nave been kindled by the dying Repub.
lies. will shine adown the ages TO IGN
men 10 frasdom ard to inspire then
wIph nope. There a.e some Times. he.
Hde the redeemed soul, that are i'm.
mortal.
~ writer of the North net long since
gave IT as his opinion that at no dis
tant day the Histories OF the Unite,
states would contain no account of tn,
ClNii war and no reference whatever t
me southern Confedciacy / Will ga,
tnat time VIII never come While the.t
is the hands of Il Southern man Il
write the euloEy OF our dead. Or Will,
there Is southern woman who's,
Breath can rekindle the flame of pa.
ti1otic fire that flick rs to close. Be.
fore the histories of this nation shal
ignore the one grand event in its lif,
the race of THE Southern people vii
have to be blotted from the face of tbs
Garth. and their territory will be mad
desert, VoicelesS and des olate. The
Southern PEOPLE will never be ashamcI
OF Their PRINCIPLES or their liberty
But believe the Northern portion OF
cur fellow citizens w.!l admire more
and more the matchless deeds of their
Southern kindred. until they Will en-
twine n single wreath for the graves Of
Union and of Confederate soldiers
There is in the city OF Quebec a mon
ume mt to rerretlrate the valorous dseis
Of Montcaim and Wolf, who were the
ctritending generals on the plains o;
Abraham; and ] believe fhe time will
come when the NATIONAL ConGr s. shall
have erected in the city OF Washington
monument higher than that in honor
of the Father OF His Country, on one
side of which will be inscribed:
.................... COMMUNICATING.
TO THE UNION SOLDIERS.