The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1901-12-21
Our Unpaid Debt.

NoiiSepouuenLS, edltOriallN
"nu oIherWlse-anent the building q
state home for Confederate veteran,
VINO are In their old age, shelterles,
anu IN sore need of a home and It,
comlorts and protection. Several DIFF
ierent plans have been suggested and
sone Efforts are already being made
looking to the establishment of this
iong-needed institution. 1t seems a
pity that eacn and every one of these
pians, with all the devoted workers in
this sacred cause. could not get to,
sether and make one mighty effort to
succeed In this cherished undertaking.
The writer is not familiar with ALI
tne plans on foot, nor acquainted per.
sonally with all those having the mat
Ter IN charge, but believes it safe to
assume that the one great desire in
the hearts of all is to pay, in fitting
manner. Mississippis long-standing
DEBT to the men who gave her so free
iy and SO gladly their youth, their
strength, their health, as well as their
love and loyalty. To the writer it
seems that this work belongs to the
whole people Of the State of Missis-
slppl. 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
be the pleasure, of every child and
grandchild of the men of the Confed-
eracy to 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 Confederacy have
taken the lead and have done loyal
service. 1t is the great desire of the
Mississippi division to see home for
veterans established in this State, and
that right speedily. Through their
home committee" of which Mrs. Liz
zie George Henderson of Greenwood
daughter of that brave Confederate
soldier, ]. z. ueorge) is chairman, the |
division has labored wisely and we'll |
to bring before the younger genera
tion the need for this home, and their |
intention to seek State aid in estab- |
fishing it. 1t should not be necessary !!
to arouse an interest in the work, for |
it belongs as much to every other |
child of the Confederacy as it does to
this noble organization, and in the
heart of each there surely dwells,
along with the pride in her Cor his)
fathers achievements, a pro-
found pity for those of his comrades
who need the safe shelter of this
nome, whose foundation stones should
be as sure as is our love for the
5outn and whose bricks should be as
irmly cemented together as are the
learts of the veterans we love. And
urely its protecting walls should find
symbol in the pride that rises from
!, xrrbioh bids nc |
each out and gather in to our en-
Gliding care the battlescarred rem
Lant of the grand army Of the South.
There is much that could be said to
he men and women of the State who,
ike ourselves, rejoice that they are
hildren of Confederate veterans-vet-
rams who kept their armor shining
nd their patriotism pure during many
ard battles on the rugged field OF
fe. as we'll as on the bloody fields of
ur hard-pressed Southland. But it is
OF what could be said that those in
uthority want. 1t is facts-and l
now of no better way Of giving the
ublic these facts than by repeating
,st what Mrs. Henderson has written
le. If this recital does not make our
eople stop and think, then l greatly '
,ar that pride and love and loyalty I
re- passing from our hearts, as the {
ayworn soldiers are passing from
10 scenes of this earth. Qui.e num- a
ar of our own veterans have been t
,mpelled to seek shelter in other t
tates-I remember how ashamed 0
as when found an old neighbor OF a
IRIS. once a gallant officer, dependent f
BON the protection of the Virginia b
,me. There are about dozen OF
If old soldiers awaiting the sound OF >.
ans" in our county poorhouses.
brice that number would have been :,
to join the poorhouse COM !,
inv but for the charity of their :,
,ighbors. while several camps U. c. !,
nav the board of comrades Tin pri-
te families) to keep them out of the
'orhouse.
Mrs. Henderson sldtennenI VI 'A0
mes of the U. D. c. is modest. She II
VS.: =,
1--WE do not want fine home; just u
omfortable home in a healthy place CT
ali we want for those who served
ssissippi so willingly when she !,
eded them. -
Not only did they fight half starved b
4 noorly clad for four long years, oil
+ thew are veterans Of that horrible d;
construction time as well. We are n
nroud of the fact that Mississippi =,
. led in every political reform since W
She was the second State to Sc al
10 We have heard of this fact as fe
nething to be proud of all our lives. fo
i when 1t comes to showing tne III
rid how we prize our patriots WneI in
hf1t thew n6e0 ! -