Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-06-04

Wise, James A. Wisfeld, A. o. Wyckof.
W II. YestmaD.
George j. Young.
John r. u mmermsn.
Most of the above were present, and
while the band was playing soft music
tney advanced 10 single file to the etsge
where Mrs. Dsbney Herndon and Mrs.
W. A. Smoot, presidents OF the TWO
chapters of Daughters OF the CoDfeder-
| acy. pinned the crosses upon the lap
peIs OF the coats OF those entitled to
them. Many former Alexsndrisns
now living elsewhere were among
the number, and ss their old
comrades recognized them there was
much hearty applause. Mr.. L. M.
Blsckford, wearing the uniform be
donned 10 war times, caused much
enthusiasm.
After the ex- Ooniederates had been
vested With the emblems Mr.. John Nj.
Johnson advanced and In very
interesting, creditable and earnest
manner re turned the thanks OF himself
and other ex.Confederates present TO
the ladies for the honor conferred.
Mr.. Johnson began by paying glow
ing and Just tribute to the speaker VINO
had proceeded him and who had 30
enthused his hearers. Among other
things he said the crosses with which
he and bis comrades had been invested
would ever be highly przsd from the
fact t1st the ladies had deemed them
worthy of their bestowal. He spoke
pa.hetically OF the fact tbst the silent
reaper wss gradually deci@sting the
ranks OF those who In 1865 emerged
from the COT fct between the States.
As year follows year the number be-
comes fewer and fewer, and In
that other world the reunion
of those entitled to wear the
crosses of honor would be happy scene.
Devoted women had ever cherished
aud honored the memory OF those oil
the Confederate ranks who had passed
beyond tle river and the crosses which
had been bestowed upon the survivors
would ever be regarded as precious
by those accounted worthy to wear
them. The speaker in referring
to the war and it results said 1t was bst-
ter to fight for Southern rights than not
to have fought at all. Had the South
eru people remained passive under the
! provoce oDs and circumstinces they
would have forfeited the respect Of
their fellow. creatures II not Of their
Creator. BLESSINGS however, had come
, out OF ell our tribuls ton. The South
, ero people mad emerged re6oed and
, purifi ID by their sufieriDgs during the
; four years war and the reconslruttion
, and other DARK days which followed.
, He referred to the blessings muoih'
cent heaven ia now sending upon the
q people of tae South 10 the way OF
prosperity. He then showed thht the
> South was amply justified In all II did
|. previous to a0d curing the war, and
|, exulted over the fat that the section
had thrown off carp, toag and negro
= domination. Secession was q move
. ment of the people. 1t could not be
n sscribed ss the act Of any one man.
), Had Mr.. Davis been tried for treason
10 would have been necessary to iDdict
, each aud every member OF the Con-
federsle army. He closed with fit
!. tiug tribute to the ladies OF t1e South,
\ pitturing their devotion during the
! troublous times OF war and their con-
= stancy since its close. He again ex-
q pressed the thanks OF himself and
: comrades for the honor they had con-
> ferred and took bis seat amidst much
]. applause.
Many 10 the sudiance advanced to
|, to st3ge and were introduced to Gen.
:, eral Hooker, and about hali-psst ten
= o'clock Capt. Kempor declared the
!. ceremonies at an end.
@ The idea OF the Southern cross OF honor,
O given by he United Daughters OF the Cor
fec eracy to the soldiers and sailors 10 the
Confederate service, originated with Mrs.
: Mary Ann Cobb Erwin, OF Athens, Ga. The
o designs were adopted st the Richmond re-
o union Ia November, 1899. They are Of
/, brorze, made from captured Confederate can.
4. non, donated to the order by tire United
A States government for this purpose. They
% are msliele in design and suspended from
70 bar by g chain. The front presents In the
center n o battle q u, surrounded by q wreath,
II and on the ends If the cross United Dsugh-
8 tiers Confederacy to the U. c. v" The
/, reverse side bears the words IS Juthern Cross
q | Of Honor with the inscription "LCo Ven.
n dice, 1S61-1665," in the cspter.
To obtain q cross, an offer Of which has
i been extended to every Confederate veteran
In good standing and with q satisfactory rec
Il ord, the veteran must f o certificate Of ell
10 gibliiy certified TO by two or more officers Sf
y camp. The certih sies are filed, after ex-
! animation and approval, for historical pTes-
ervs ton IN the archives Of the ger oral order.
: No veteran can receive more than one cTose.
and in case that one is lost he cannot obtain
, another.
4 The aggregation OF Southern women known
I as the United Daughters of the Confederacy
q was organized 10 Nashville, Tenn, in SEP
a TENDER. 1894 Its membership Is limited 10
the wives, widows, mothers, sisters and lin
;, cal desc endsnts OF the men who served hon
orably In the army, navy or civil service OF
i the Confederate states or OF one OF the Stale
= line forces. LEGAL fsderstions in the States
e are governed by State divisions, which in
q turn are subordinate to the general order.
4 TIE objects CT tho U. ID. @ as defined In
its constitution. social. litersry, historical,
. monumental, benevolent and honorable 10
8 every degree, without any political signif.
icsnce whatever. Its endeavors are Flint.
/. to unite in the federation sill bodies Of 6outh.
ern women now organized or that may be
hereafter formed; second, TO cultivate ties Of
e friendship among the women whose father,
D brothers, sons and 10 numberless cases, wi hose
: mo- hers shared common dangers and privs-
: tiouE II ird, to instruct ard instill into the
descendants Of tie people Of the south
pride l. the wars history and veneratlon
= and love for the deeds of their forefstheIs;
}, and, fourth. to perpetus Q correct and
truthful record Of the noble and chiyslTous
J, achievements of the Confederate soldiers
/. and to promote an impartial history Ct the
}, Confederate side of the civil war.
The organization has more than 300 cbsp'
tsrs, ranging in location from Csnsds TO
Mexico, from the shores If the Atlantic to