The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1901-01-31

express our debt of gratitude to the
NOBLE Confederate soldlers-the en-
bodiment Of patriotism, heroism, love
OF country and constitutional liberty.
(Applausc.) The tottering crutch, the
empty sleeve, and the sIfferings of the
| Survivors will continue to caus, our
eyes 10 MI with tears AMI our hearts to
sigh, in loving sympathy.
| The Soldiers Home retresents the
thought which is the progress of our
State and the gratitude which is the
| sentiment of our people.
n nation without sentiment is M
ton without hope. If it is given to
the dead to know what is transpiring
on earth, we may believe that the OPEN
ing OF the Confederate Soldiers Home
will cause smile Of approval and q
shout Of Joy. When the doors of the
Soldiers Home are opened to receive
the heroes. it should be remembered
that to no one is more honor due for
that event than the noble women of
our State, and especially to the Daugh-
Iers OF the Confectionery, of Atlanta
and Augusta. (Applause). And l
more indebted for advice, assistance
ana inspiration than to Mrs. Edwin G.
weed and Miss Anna Montpomery
unless IL be to Mrs. M. +. Carroll, who
came like ray Of sunshine even into
lhc committee room of the Legislature
10 held me plead for it. (ArpMuse.)
NO man every accomplished any
thlnS worthy to live in history who did
not act under the inspiration of some
noble woman. There cannot exist
nation OF great men and of great
achievements unless il be a nation OF
noble mothers. Tho patriotism and
| bravery, the suffcrings and heroism of
the Confederate soldiers were only sur
passed in the history of the world by
that OF their sisters, their wives and
their mothers. The South yma re-
deemed from the Infamous State gov
ernmcnts by which it was oppressed
after the war, by the influence of the
| noble women Of the South. Their in
tlucnce has caused the grass carpeted
mounds, from the Potomac to the Rio
Grande, God's monuments to these
heroes and patriots, to be annually
strewn with flowers which the dead
may not appreciate; and it is but pro-
per that they should have inspired the
erection of home for the living heroes
and patriots who will honor the home
which gratitude has provided for them.
(Applause.)
If not needy Confederate soldier
ever enters this home, nevertheless, it
will stand as testimonial Of the love
and devotion and gratitude of the CRATE
ful people of Georgia, and as monu-
mcnt TO th> patriotism, the chivalric
bravery of oh. living and dead Con-
fcderatc soldiers.
Memorials of marble and of brass
must crumble and decay but the honors
which are done to heroes and patriots
give hope that the living will emulate
their virtues, and bear evidence Of the
fact that virtue and honor and patrio-
tism and gratitude yet abide in the
land. May the Soldiers Home be not
only an inspiration to the living, but
as well as n memorial to tho dead, and
may God bless the living and the dead.
cannot convey to you in words the
pleasure and satisfaction it affords me
TO know, that any act Of mine could
call forth from you, the words: "Well
done, thou good and faithful servant"
This mark of distinguished consdera-
ton fills my heart with gratitude of
thanks and most cheerfuIly accept ii.
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