The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1902-07-27
Did Southern Soldiers Fight in vsIn'

(The speaker, w. VI. Kendall, is
a son Jf Mr. and Mrs. Kendall, was
born in West Liberty, Morgan coun-
ty. Kentucky. He is fifteen years OF
age. He attended the State Blind In.
stitution Of Kentucky before coming
to Ardmore and since, the Blind Asy-
lum at Austin, Texas, and is now
spending vacation with his parents
He spoke as follows:
Noble Veterans. daughters and
Fellow Sons of the Confederacy,
Ladies' and Gentlemen:
Thirty.seven years have passed
away since the dark and lowering
clouds Of war cast gloom of des-
pondency over the cerulean skies of
our beautiful land of Dixie. Thirty
seven years, and there no more re-
mains trace of that black and un-
slightly. cloud to mar the unbroken
beauty of our Southland's azure can
opy.
Few, too. OF those brave heroes.
who in that last great strife so no
bly, espoused the cause of the South
ern Confederacy, still remained TO
tell of the valorous deeds of our
Stewart, our Johnson, our Jackson
and our Lee.
Thousands died while yet that ter
rible conflict was in progress and
each year since its close has wit.
messed the withdrawal from the
ranks Of some chastened soul who.
having fought a good fight, has been
called 10 rest beside his comrsde.
till the last great bugle call shall
awaken him TO receive from the
hands OF the Righteous Judge a
crown of life, the reward of his faith
fulness.
Many are gone and the few who re-
main shall ere long follow. and what
says history of these brave men?
Briefly, that they fought hard for
four years and their cause was lost.
And yet. even though the cause be
lost, can il be said that Southern sol
diers fought in vain? Thermoplae
was taken and the brave Leonidas
with his little band of Spartans per
ished. And yet, did they fight in
vain? Nay, but on the contrary.
these men, though dead, have gained
more victories than Napoleon ever
dreamed Of For even today when
men are assailed by many foes they
think of the bravery of the dauntless
Leonidas and his companions, and
themselves. made brave by the
thought. stand at their posts. fear.
less of death. lighting on until God
giveth them the victory.
The defenders of the Alamo per
ished. and over the little fortress
where the 4exan banner had foated
the beartless Santa Anna unfurled
the flag Of despotic Mexico; and yet
can IL be said that the blood that
stained the stones of the Alamo was
shed in vain? All, no. for il was
the dead heroes of the Alamo, unit
ed with those of Goliad, who. on the
2fst of April, 1886, won the battle OF
San Jacinto, crushed the power ot
him who called himself Napoleon
of the West and forever freed from
the ruthless hand of tyranny our sis
ter state of the Lone Star.
And so, though Gettysburg be lost
though the armies of the South have
been defeated, though the fertile sol
OF the Southland has been stained by
libations from the hearts of hel
bravest, thougn the Southern Confed
eracy be fallen and her conquered
banner furled, yet the wearers of the
gray fought not in vain, for the nobl,
self-sacrifice of these brave men. who
for four long years matched fear
lessly TO battle beneath our bonny
blue flag, enduring all manner OF
hardshlps and privations, suffering
from famine and cold. assailed by a
foe who outnumbered them five tC
Ione and discouraged by disaster and
defeat, the noble self-sacrifice OF
these men, | say, shall be such a no
bic example TO their sons and daugh
ters that they shall be actuated tC
strive like their fathers. to upbuilt
and elevate their country, and thu:
shall our Southland become the fair
est, the freest and the most peace
full land beneath the blue dome OF
heaven.
No, they did not strive in vain
We are constrained to cry again, as
through the eye OF faith We gaze on
the future Of the South and see heI