The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-10-25

us; for may the day never come when the memory of the great struggle fades
 rom the mind or the heart of any true son or the South. be he veteran or son of veteran: for th$ Civil War is the proudest heritage of our Southland, and as such we shall never fail to pay to 1t the tribute or honor and reverence:
 reverence for every soldier who fell upon the held of battle, whether today ms body rests peacefully in some beau 1 u1ul city Of the dead, his grave tended | by loving hands and overshadowed by a iorty marble shaft. or whether 1t has | long since crumbled into the dust of notnfngingness, buried on the field of bat tie' cast into a gruesome trench, with a | multitude of his countrymen-unnoted and unsung Honor and reverence to both | for both alike laid down their lives for , their count<y's sake.
 Ana you Veterans who have endured the trial of battle and the encroachment or age with equal fcrtitude. as the sun of your life In its westering casts a lengthcn- ing shadow of your thin gray line 9ecimated no longer by the shot and Oayonet Of the enemy but by the fm- mutabie decree of the God of Battles, be assured that the ever widening gaps in your ranks are not left empty spaces put are closed up by the cherished memo " or what the Confederate Veteran Is ana always has been to his country.
 AS me son of veteran, who fought with you, fellow wearer of the gray. now bid you welcome in the name of my mother. for yourselves and for the sake s,, or the cause you ail loved so well. me power Is not given me to express to you the teeifng that surges through my neart ana clamors for utterance. but he lieve me. the honor and the love we have TOT the Confederate Veteran is equalled only by the welcome we extend to you tooaE' and both alike are boundless as the sess.
 Following this was an addrees in r.- sponse from our Hon. William R,rbard- son. ext Ming in his forcerul manner. the vaior Of these comrades in war, and alike their patriotism in times of peace
 Commander Crow spoke in grateful re- sponse Tor tho camp. giving reminis ences ot his pea jacket and cantcen days." portraying what all felt. that the d ys, most sacred for these old heroes was spent in '61-'65 for the love of home and duty
 Messrs. Hammerly of Mississippi and Barr of Florence recalled several thill- ing events. eul 2gizing the brave deeds of their decea sed leader
 MT. J. N. Thompson urged the veterans 10 aid our State Historian. Mir. Thomas Owen, in the roster commission work, and also to donate to the Department of Ar chives and History all relics and informa- ton p'ssible to further this work
 Beside the veterans about fifteen ladies and s'xsor eight visi Ting gentlemen were present. 1>s in all, and these were seated on one side of the spacious front grove the listening crowd resorting frequently to the stands of ice water and lemonade.
 Across the broad pavement stood long tables. with bench seats; each table with its spotless damask, vase of flowers and appurtenances for royal feast of oarbe- cued meats, sauces and pickles. bru7s wick stow and hot coffee served in liberal tin cups. to be followed in quick srcces- sion by ices and cakes. There were hosts of servants on the grounds. but the hon. ored servers were the M ssas Johnson. the Miss Johnson and the Daughter" Full justice was done to so liberal menu and the toast that rang in each ! ones heart-who shall know? We believe it to have been, ITO the memory of our gallant comrade and leader'-and here ! on this sacred spot. of his home. to the hands and hearts extended to do us hon. or''
 It so pleased them to have one of the "Daughters'' register each ones name. and had time only tarried for us and a SteNOSTdpner Beefl Hl our might have adorned many columns from the experiences of these willing "old sol- ers." A photographer made several views of groups. of the 4th Alabama" and "the camp" and they went away so delighted to be able to add these pictures to their "crosses' ''-heirlooms for future generations. The enfeebled and disabled who were absent. were not forgotten but special messenger. with overfowing baskets of good things, was sent to carry messa ge of greeting to their homes. We were so glad to witness the joy of this memorable day. and experience the benefit of associa- ton with these noble sons of the South land who have from their sturdy nobility risen above the depression of cal mi'y. remain loyal and content: they who have preserved the honor and escutcheon of our Southland!
 This search of eye. and grip of hand. rehearsed in joyous yet gravest measure, is like the intoning of solemn bells. for scenes and acts of long ago.
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