Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-11-20
WHAT is A CONFEDERATE VET
ERAN?
The defultion Of . Confederate Vet

The de6Jition of Confederate Vet
ersu sss been very cooclssIy and beau
tfully given by Judge Robert L. Rod
gers, tne etifted historian of the G. V.
A.. # Fulton county, Ga, ss follows :
40 taking an account of ourselves
az Confederate Veterans we need not
J specuiate about the facts before the
war. a Confederate veteran was not
a fac, before The war. We frequently
near a things which existed before
the war
Some people were rich before the
war. Some people were slaves before
! The war. Some men we're born and
lived before the Wsr who are living yet.
Tlere we're governors, senstors, judges,
aud 'nitiis msj re- ent never was
tnera g Confederate Veteran before
. tue war.
"a Confederate veteran is today 3
union f2ure 10 life, spd Will ever be
u, que 10 Ui7'ory.
~ qu Yes, sir; hat is the siogle
worI y nlch may G,tius bim, signliyiug
lncompsranle, sloue !
"NOi oi0g else, aad nobody else, on
esrtl today liGe Confederate veteren
he is a. evolution of evoiuti0n-s
feic OF the 'Lps' Cause
"In the sOrrOws anh ruins OF his de-
f-si De slaDds like N.polesn, grand,
oomy, and PECULIAR though the vet
srsu j. not by any means fossil.
"a Confederate veteran todsy is
ivlog aud active factor 10 publ cevenis.
ClmIne as a result or product OF the
var, he is grand 10 his heroic courage,
gloomy in defeat and wreck Of fortune,
4u0 peculiar 10 being solitary in his
0wn generation. Hsvirg 90 predeces'
sor OF bis kidd, no likewise Cap have no
successor.
"a Confederate veterah' is a rank
aad position OF distinction. 1t is an
honor which 10 power on earth can
l8ke away.
"C6niederate veterans are one by ore
pass ug away, and as each goes out We
gatner ct the bier to give 6ual fare.
u, 90 drop tssr as We listen 10 The
dull thud OF the clods upon bis ooffir,
aud are reminded of the fact that y e
are one less in our numbers.
Fewer and f0wer they become as "
lsave hsm in their graves, aud we feel
ssd % contemplate that soon the last
oue must 60 from earth, and then there
can never be another Confederate Vet.
eran'
"The Last one must b. the last OF the
siud. Holding iifmiy and conscien.
,ously gs We DO get to the correctness
# lbs principles for which we fought,
10 Our grest defeat there's must ever be
with ~ shadow of that heavy sorroW
which 'neyer fitting, still is sitting, still
is sttiog,' 10 our houssholds; but We
may take such consolation 10 our lost
CAUSE es we may fBd 10 prsisng the
vslOr and cherishing the memories Of
those who died to make it otherwise,
and realizing the consciousness 10 those
who yet live of having done their duty
as veil aud as fully ss they could.
"Giving honor TO whom honor is due,
too much praise cannot be given to our
braves who died ia the din Of battle,
yielding up dear life 81 holy sacrihce
20 the principles Of freedom for which
they con- ended and in which they hon
estly and oOnsoientiOus)y believed they
we're right.
AYE, indeed they were right! 1t
was the right they dared to defend and
maiotsin, and for which they died will
lnely with an approving conscience,
sealed With their blood, and sanctioned
In hgb heaven.
30, If there be on this earthly sphere
A boon. an Offering heaven holds near,
IT'S the last l0aJion Liberty draws
| From the heart ttar bleeds and breaks
10 her cause."- Lost Cause.