The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1901-05-08

army there will remain not one
Naught will be left but the sentiment
the memory of things that were.
To these. Daughters of the Confed
eracy you owe your sudden rescue from
neglect and obscurity. These are the
daughters of the women whose prayers
| followed you amid the SHOWS of Vir,
GINA and beneath the torrid sun Of
Mississippi; when you starved al
Vicksburg and when you bled al
Gettysburg, Chickamausa, Shiloh and
the Wilderness.
The same courage and moral heroism
which had animated them throughout
the war characterized their conduct
during the gloomy night of ''recon'
struction,' and when the stout hearts
of men grew faint they dared whisper
words of comfort and awaken chords
of hope.
Dismayed by neither poverty or toll,
these southern women worked cheer
fully for the uplifting of our people
until peace reigned once more aud the
old land began to blossom and bear
fruit But the effects of returning
prosperity brought sadness to many
hearts. In the mad rush for wealth
it became the fashion to speak lightly
of the 'lost cause" The old veteran
with his MANNED body and unhealed
wounds received but passing notice
from his more prosperous comrades.
''They stood like weather beaten rocks
on storm-lashed deserted shore,
where occasional birds of spring would
light. awakening echoes to their hap
DIV notes, but soon these birds sought
brighter fields, and the time-scarred
rocks were left to the rolling of the
ages
These poor old men, MANY of whom
had won fame on immortal fields OF
yalor, hung their heads as If ashamed
of their scars; thew no longer talked OF
the battles through which they had
passed, and spoke of the confederacy
in whisper lest they give offense.
The Daughters of the Confederacy
arose in their might and declared
while they lived the deeds OF the con-
federate soldiers and the principles
for which they fought should never be
neglected or forgotten, and theiL chill
dren should be taught to follow their
example; and when they unfurled the
old stars and bars they declared to the
world that it typifed vital principle
and had been defended by an army OF
the grandest heroes ever given to any
race or people, and they, the mothers
wives, daughters and lineal descend
ants OF the men who wore the grey,
glory in their record and will never
cease to do them honor.
The Southern Cross OF Honor has
been prepared as a gift from this
noble army of women extending from
New York to San Francisco. 1t has
been copyrighted and is bound by iron
clad rules and regulations, and will be
bestop ed only upon those who can es-
tablishthe fact that they served nom
orably in army, navy or civil service
of the confederate states aud 10 the
families of those who have passed over
the river.
The Victoria Cross of England, tiny
Maltese cross similar to the South
ern Cross and constitutes the b CHEST
honor that British soldier, officer or
private, can obtain. SO the U. u. e.
makes no distinction between officers
and priyates in the bestowal OF thelr
cross. Were General Lee living
he would be offered the same cross
which we present you today
The design of the cross was taken
from the cross which was found on the
breast of Queen Dagmar when her
coffin was opened after 500 years:
Dagmar means the eight of the day.
Ali that we desire is that the llgbt OF
the day should be thrown upon tne
cause for which our veterans iougnt
~ upon the uuseltish herols" %
these tried souls.
Now, while we will very soon repair
to the Silent City of the dead to renew
our tribute of love and gratitude ana
to scatter flowers above the sacred
Dust of those who sleep IN soioler
graves, it is most appropriate that we
should here and now embodY our spe,
cial respect, personal love. loyalty anu
admiration to you, survivors, 10 oodily
shape; therefore, in behalf OF the iae
dies of the Mary Brantley Chapter OF
the u. d c. it becomes my dntY 70 W
present to you the Southern crosses VI
Honor. 1t is sacred emblem a"0 eau
not be worn by anyone except oy tne
veteran upon whom bestowed: no ue-
sceudant or representative can wear IT,