The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-23

tive statement
 Three of the bidders have given the construction committee to understand that the bids would possibly be lowered, and this was taken to mean that the de- mands of the commission would be met. The fourth contractor has not been heard from.
 The four firms which entered bids for
 
 soldiers accompanied by a lucid and worthy explanation, from our southern standpoint, of what led up to the war, and of all that followed.
 This speech of General Alexender has been published far and wide in the north with more or less of favorable comment. Confederate soldiers have held and are holding commissions in the United States army. and have worthily filled cabinet po- sitions, foreign missions and other places of honor and trust under the government.
 The old outcry against Confederate brigadiers' In the Senate and Congress of the United States is becoming less and less accentuated. The sons of Confeder- ate soldiers are found in honorable and distinguished places in Congress, in the departments, in the army and navy, at West Point and Annapolis. And alto gether, outside of politics and politicians, the traces and the resentments of the war are rapidly passing. Indeed, if 1t had been left to the soldiers of the north and of the south. we would largely have es- capped the humiliations and the horrors of reconstruction times, of carpetbag- gers, and of negro suffrage. and would, long since, have been more firmly and happily reinstated in all that pertains to our birthright and citizenship in this great republic of ours
 We adopted resolutions of sympathy and grief upon the death of President Mo- Kinley, end shall we be less magnani- nous than the people of the north? Was 1t not right that Camp Hardee took act i've part in the recent Grand Army cere- monies at Oak Hill Cemetery; and right tt.at we decorated with a wreath of beau tiful flowers the Grand Army monument at Oak Fill? And shall we not In all prop CT and reasonable ways cultivate and add to the returning spirit of cancellation and Kindness, yielding to none in our patri- otic devotion to our common flag?
 Comrades, we have sacred duty to ourselves and to our children, to all gene re tions in this behalf; and l charge and impolre you to be always. under all cir cumstances faithful in all due observance,
 
 things. Not forgetting our special and solemn duty to our comrades, living and dead; ever mindful of their heroic deeds and sufferings, and secure In the con- sciousness of our own duty well and faithfully done as Confederate soldiers let us stand by, ever wiling to uphold and defend the flag under the aegis of whose proud folds comrades and sons alike have recently been, and still are, marshalled for service and batlle in the army and navy of our country.
 Have we forgotten the patriotic ardor and enthusiasm with which we gave good bye and Godspeed to the Jefferson county boys bound for the war with Spain on the May day of 1898, nearly akin to the scenes when we marched away from our homes to the great war of 1S61-65?
 Work to Do.
 Comrades, we have work to do and the time is short. It was hoped that there would be a full attendance at our meet ing and dinner at North Birmingham Park on the 21st. goodly number were pres ent to enjoy the business, the feasting and the talking, but many of you were among the missing. Let our meetings be made large and more interesting and more useful by your presence.
 It is burning shame that Alabama has no home for poor and infirm Confederate veterans We are pledged to build and pay for a cottage at Mountain Creek Home for old needy and sick Confeder- ate soldiers, many of whom are now lan- gushing in the poorhouses of our vari- ous counties and elsewhere.
 This cottage must be built ready for occupancy in August. See to it that 1t Is done well and in due time. Your contri- buttons. in money and material, are nec- essary and at once. Let no comrade walt to be called on by the committee. He who gives quickly gives twice. Your cottage committee, of which Comrade Abernathy Is chairman, meets at Confederate Hall. Tomlinson building First avenue, at Il a.. m. this June 23rd. Come or send in your contributions then and there. and per suade others, comrades, sons and citizens at large to do the same. Let there be no delay or failure in the liberal performance of this immediate and sacred duty.
 Your relief committee, of which Cont rade Lewis is chairman with Comrade Stanley added, are called to meet at the same time and place.
 Your committe on invitations to General Fitzhugh Lee of which Comrade Steele is chairman, is called to meet at the same time and place,
 Your entertainment committee, of which Comrade Bridewell is chairman. will meet at the same time and place to receive ad ditional voluntary contributions toward paying the cost of the June 2lst meeting and dinner at North Birmingham Park in order to make immediate payment of all the bills and charges therefor and thereabouts. Do not forget pour pledge that Camp Hardee will pay as 1t goes and keep out of debt.
 The adtutant will be ready at said time and place and during office hours at Confederate Hall, every day from 10 to 12 a. m. and from to D. m., to receive fees and dues. as per my circular letter of