Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1903-05-27
The Confederate Reunion.

'iiNuEfN tildl lllf ~ Ion OF AOD-
federate Veterans at New Orleans
was memorable gathering i'm
every way. We are not surprised
at this. In the first place, no city
in this country has had more ex-
perience in handling crowds Of
visitors and looking after their
entertainment and comfort than
the Crescent City. I'm the second
place the genuine and spontaneous
hospitality of her warm hearted
people could not help bat make
every body feel at home. In the
third place. and lastly. The BIG
Queen Of the Mississippi Valley
has right To take an especial
pride in any Confederate Cclebra-
ton. TO say nothing of one held i'm
her own borders. When the Shot
at Fort Sumptcr sounded the call
TO arms. the loyal sons of Louis
lana and her Capitol came with an
enthusiasm and a bravery that
made them well known To the foe
from First Manassas To- Appomat-
toN. Their military ardOr and
daring was cquallcd by few and
cNcclled by none Of those wonder
ful men who struggled under the
stars and bars for those principles
that were represented by that Clio
rious emblem of the Confcderacy.
The Louisiana Tigers. commanded
10y Major Rohcrdcau Wheat. cx-
cited the wonder of the World by
their contempt of death I'm making
charges into the ranks of the enemy
killing them. scattering them, and
capturing the arms from their
very hands. The Louisiana Zou-
avcS were characterized by the
same valor and the same dctcrmi-
nation that made the Union troop,
dread encounters with these warm
bloodcd SouthronS. But these two
regiments are only mentioned In
passing. What j. said of them
can Doe said of all the numerous
troops that martialcd under the
Confederate fac. They were all
brave: all chivalrou~. an men. who
were ready To lay down their lives
for principle. and 80 we say There
can be mo- wonder nj the success of
this last reunion. and more than
at the success of any past reunion.
The City by the Gulf has right
To take pleasure i'm these matters:
"a right she has earned by the
brilliant deeds of her sons ON the
field of battle. And now it Is all
over. we send her Quar- hearty con-
gratulation~. which. small though
they De-, have 81 right 10 be taken
a. part of the admiring gratitude
she is bound to receive from the
entire South. for her Kindness. her
generosity. and her glorious hos
pitality. Long may She prosper.
Aside from this. there Is great
deal of patho~ mingled with these
annual celebrations. Every rcun-
ION tells the Confederate Soldier
that many. So many. of his comra-
DIES have gonc 10 the great Camp
inc ground over the river. The
day Is not far ahead now. when
these reunions viii be an over.
Only To an obServant and a think
ING man, l. the departure of whole
hosts of the doughty old warriors
noticeable. They arc fast going
from amongst Us. They first met
10y the tens of thousands: they
will shortly meet by the thousands.
and then by the hundreds. and
then the curtain will Zoe rmg down.
and the earthly arena of action
Will know them no more. Should
we not. as sons and daughters of
Confederate fathers and mothers
dO all in our power to convince
the survivors that we arc worthy
of our parentagc. Should we not
impress this upon them. ~ they
can take the news over the river
of Death with them. that they
have left their children ON guard.
and that the memory of the Con-
federatc Soldier shall and will be
perpetuatcd, 50 that his glory will
be the common glory of the whole
land.
Today the Confederate Soldier
meets in annual reunion and darcS
the whole Country or any part of
it to challenge his patriotism. And
WhYl Because he knows that he
fought for Constitutional priuci-
pies: he knows that hc fought To
maintain decision of the Supreme
s,,,,, ~. = IL. L., J. .