The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-05-14
DAUGHTERS OF CONFEDERACY
CONVENE IN DEMOPOLIS
Sixth Annual Meeting Of the Alabama Division Opens
With Mrs. A. L. DOwdell of Opelika Presid-
ing---The Days Proceedings

subjects from an individual standpoint.
we are here for this interchange of views
ana 70 bring into harmony the various
conceptions OF various minds. But let
all our deliberations be in love and char
lty. We are united by common bond
OF sacred memories and when the recol-
iectlons OF the past, with all its terrible
triais' sunerings, privations, broken
hearts and blighted hopes, come crowding
upon US, how can We feel aught but ten
der sympathy for each other? Is it not
the mone t9gch of nature which makes
cannot realize what that terrible strus
gle OF four long years means to some sf
US oder women. Many of you were little
cnlldren then, and fortunately, perhaps,
could not see and hear what is SO indeIi-
oIy impressed upon our minds, and from
Wnch We can never entirely recover
This is not the time or place to review
the causes which led to the war between
the States-enough to say that II was ill.,
evitable-it had to come SOONER or later.
and would rather it come In my day
tnan that of my chlldren's: and / pray
dod that you may never be tried In such
fiery furnace. even though you come
out as refined gold, fit for the Masters
use.
But time softens and takes off the
sharpness of grief and we are thankful
that the gloom of that dark period fades
away in the. halo of glory which encir-
Giles the tomb of our lost hopes and
which draws the wondering eyes of the
whole world in admiration to this fair
Southland of ours A distinguished Eng
lishman has truly said.
mo nation ever rose so white and fair
None fell so pure of crime"
Our guns are spiked. our tattered flags
lie furled, but we have nothing of which
to be ashamed: on the contrary. our
bosoms swell with Just pride in contem-
plating the magnificent record made by
hpfOic
saw their equal In valor. self-sacrifieing
devotion. patient endurance Under priva-
tons and against overwhelming odds, nor
their calm dignity under defeat,
This, my sisters. is the grand record
which we must help to preserve and as
mothers and teachers transmit to coming
generations, And while we talk of pre-
serving history. we must bear in mind
| that We are also making history. and see
to it, that posterity in turning its pages
| will see nothing to reflect u2op the good
sense and dignity of the Alabama Daugh-
tiers of the Confederacy.
Our organization Is living monument
TO our fallen braves. but We would per-
petuate our sentiments In granite. in mar
BILE and In bronze. So let us now exert
ourselves and complete the monument al
ready begun TO the first and only Presi-
dent of our Confederacy, and mark the
graves and deeds of Alabamas noble
martyrs on every battlefield You will
find them where the fight was thickest
and bloodiest and let us keep the soil thus
baptized with their preci Gus life blood as
something too sacred for common use.
Let us take UP this work with such zeal
that those who follow us will carry II on.
Then we have with us a noble army of
battle-scarred veterans. They deserve all
and more than we can do for them, and
We should consider 1t sacred duty to
make their declining years as comforta-
BILE possible I am truly glad to see a
movement on foot to provide the needy
with Home, which l hope will prove
one in every sense of that sweet old
word,
There Is much to encourage us In this
goodly assembly of Southern women, who
have laid aside their household duties
and tourneyed from distant homes to pay
a loving tribute to a cause which we all
hold, dear-and there Is inspiration in this
lovely historic town, founded by the
brave cavaliers and marshals of the great
Napoleon, who with national pride. plant
ed the name and fame of Marengo on
American soil. 1t is much to be the
guests of the elegant women who per-
petuate the honored name of the gallant
"Marengo Rifles" and 1t is sweet to
breathe the soft. pure air of such noble
patriots as Prince and VIM and Strud-
wick, Michael, Patterson and others, who
gave their lives and their all in defense
of us, our homes and our country. Yes,
we are glad indeed to be here and with
full hearts again thank you for your low
ing welcome.
Mrs. DowdeH introduced General James
G: Holmes, Adj1tant General and Nd Chief
United Confederate Veterans, who adj
dressed the convention. lie was on his
return from the reunion in Dallas, Tex,
and wore the gray.
Miss Arlington next read the report of
the Credentials Committee. She reported
thirty-two chapters, seventy-four votes
being the strength of the convention.
Mrs. Lee read the report of the meeting
in Eufaula last year. The reports of
the First Vice President Corresponding
Secretary. Historian and Registrar fol-
lowed. 4 telegram OF greeting from rom Mrs:
Lyons of Demopoiis, was read.
The convention adjourned at 1880 to
met at p. m.
order at $3.50 o'clock by the President.
The amended credentfal report was called
for. Some discussion was caused by the
appearance of delegate from the Hunts
Vile Chapter, Mrs. Turner Clanton, as
Mrs. Lamar of Montgomery held the
proxy and credentials of that chapter
and Mrs. -Clanton brought none with her,
as they had been sent TO the proxy WHEN
it was thought that the chapter would
not be represented. The convention de-
cided TO permit Mrs. Clanton to cast the
chapters voee, under the circumstances,
though Mrs Lamar declared the decision
unfair, illegal and unjust.
Mrs. Lee read her report of the years
work of the division, Mrs. Sanford her
report as Treasurer, and Mrs. Mary @.
Pickins her report as chairman OF the
Auditing Committee.
A discussion of the Central Committees
old soldiers fund and the raising of a
fund for old soldiers followed. The dis
cussion was led by Mrs. w A. Gayle,
Mrs. ]. A. kirkpatrick. Miss Olivia Ar
rington and Mrs. Margaret Clanton The
question was as to whether To tax by
CHAPTERS or per capita for the home and
whether to keen the central fund sepa-
rate or put all efforts towards helping
the home. 1t was not voted upon but
was postponed until tomorrow.
The chapter reports were read, various
committees appointed and the meeting