Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1901-12-19

I
State home for Confedcrat veterans
Who are. in their old age. shelterless
aud in sore need OF a home and its
comforts and protection. Several diff
ferent plans have been suggested and
some efforts are already being made
looking to the establishment Of this
long needed institution. IL seems a
pity that each and every one OF these
plans. with all the devoted workers in
this sacred cause. could not get to-
sether and make one mighty effort to
sueceed in this cherished undertaking
The writer is not familiar with all
the plans on foot. nor acquainted per-
sonally with all those having the mat
ter in charge. but believes il safe TO
assume that the one great desire in
'he hearts Of all is TO pay. in fitting
manner. Mississippfs l0ng-standing
1ebt to the men who gave her so free
" and so gladly their youth. their
strength, their health, rs well as their
love and loyalty. To the writer II
seems that this work belongs to the
whole people of the State of Missis-
sippi. 1t should not be left to one
man or one committee OF men Tor
women to win and wear the honor
OF establishing a home for our aged
heroes. 1t is the duty. and ought to
grsHdchild OF the men OF the Confed-
eracy 10 help make this home an early
possibility. 1t is our shame that we
have not done this long ago. thus
easing the latter days OF many a
brave soldier whose battle OF life"
went against him. and who closed his
eyes far from home and friends and
native land. because there had been
no room for him in the STATE he loved
and had served. when the time came
in which he could no longer give her
labor for his hire
In this labor OF love the United
Daughters OF the Confederaey have
taken the lead and have done loyal
service Il is the great desire OF the
Mississippi division to see a home for
veterans established in this State. and
that right speedily. Through their
home committee. CT which Mrs Liz
Eie George Henderson OF Greeawooi
daughter OF that brave Confederate
soldier. J. z Sseorgel Is chairman. the
| division has labored wisely and well
70 bring before the younger genera-
Il = .. -. 81 -
intention to seek State aid in estab-
uskinE IT, Il should rot be necessary
to arouse an interest in the work. for
it belongs as EHch 10 every ether
child Of the COnfederacy as II does to
this noble organization. and in the
heart Of each there surely dweils.
along with the pride in her cor hisl
soldier fathers achievements. 4 pro-
found pity for those Of his comrades
| who need the safe shelter OF this
home. whose foundation stones should
be as sure a. IS our love Tor the
Soutn and whose bricks sh0uld be Is
irnsIy eemsnted together as ara the
hearts OF the veterans we love And
surely its protecting walls should hnd
a symbol IL the prize that rises from
our hearts and the love which bids Us
reach Sgs and gather n 10 our en-
folding care the battlesearred rem
nanr OF the grand army Of the South.
There Is much that could b. SAID TO
the men and women Of the State who.
like ourselves. rejoice that they are
| children OF Confederate veterans-yet-
srans who kept their armor shining
and their patriotism pure during many
hard battles on the rugged field Of
life. as well a. on the bloody fields Of
our hari-prsssed Southland But 4 is
not what could be said that those in
authority want Il is facts-and {
know OF no better way OF giving the
| public these facts than by repeating
just what Mrs Henderson has written
people stop and think. then I greatly
fear that pride and love and loyalty
| are passing from cur hearts. as the
wayworn soldiers are passing from
the scenes of this earth Qui.e a mum
ber OF our own veterans have been
| compelled to seek shelter in other
Statss-I remember how ashamed l
was when | found an old neighbor Of
ours. once a gallant officer. dependent
| upon the protection Of the Virginia
home There are about a dozen of
| our old soldiers awaiting the sound OF
taps in our county poorhouses.
Thrice that number would have been
compelled to join the poorhOuse com
pany but for the charity of their
neighbors. while several camps L. c.
" pay the board OF comrades Tin pri-
vate famiIiesl TO keep them out Of the
poorhouse-
Mrs. Henderson's statement Of the
hopes of the L. ID. c. is modest. She
says:
We do not want a fine home; Just
a comfortable home in a healthy place
is all we want for those who served
Mississippi so willingly when she
| needed them
Not only did they fight half starved
and poorly clad for four long years
but they are veterans Of that horrible
reconstruction time as we'll We are
all proud OF the fact tnat Mississippi
has led in every political reform since
65- She was the second State to Sc
cede- We have heard OF this fact as
something to be proud OF all our lives
But when II comes to showing the
world how we prize our patriots when
We no longer need them but they need
US. there are only two of the Confed
crate States fand they were anxious
to be the first to secede. tool which
are so neglectful as we
Then follows strong appeal to the
veterans to aid in this matter BY
bringing it to the attention Of the
various representatives. by securing
signers to petitions addressed TO the
Governor and Legislature. asking
that they make provision for this home
ct the next meeting Of the Legislature