The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-08-19
ABOUT REUNIONS.
Several Kind Suggested-But the Ones
 With Sponsors Preferred.

Editor The Advertiser:
 It is long time since I have, through you. communicated anything to this wicked and perverse generation" and there may be an impression that I've been translated to Abraham's bosom, as a great many people have concluded that I'm entirely too good for this world. D It comes of turning the reins loose and rioting in piety, but for all that, I'm in no hurry about the translation. In- deed, I believe most people prefer to talk "afar off with Father Abraham. 1 reckon it's distance lends enchantment to the view" and the best of us don't want any nearer view of Heaven-just yet. We sing:
 Could we but stand where Moses stood,
 And view the landscape OCT.
 Not Jordan's waves nor deaths cold
 Could fright us from the shore,"
 but the chances are we are not in dead. sober earnest. That will do for 'big meetings" and men like General Oates, who are ready to shake off the mortal coil. was surprised and shocked that the General is so far gone. I saw him the other day as he was about to buy a watermelon and he looked hearty" though little bumped. l thought he was good for several years yet, and might want to go to the Senate if Bank young. You can imagine my surprise when the General in a delicate way an- nounced his retirement from politics and the haunts of man. It is sad when a strong man gives 1t up, so MT Brown" This suggestion to have Reunions with out lovely woman is shore sign of death, or something. l was as patriotic as any of the fellows of the sixties who ignorantly fought for constitutional lib- erty,' and I'm pious to a fault, but I'm willing to confess that lovely woman thing, IS the chief attraction of the Re- unions. to me. We might separate the Reunions into three classes. One for the old fellows, past the age" to suit the and yellow leaf" At such, no Sponsor" need be nor won't be, since only has beens' will be there. They no longer care for lovely Woman." I'm sorry for 'em and hope 1t will be a long time yet before I'm corralled with that set. I'm sorry for the General.
 us younger fellows who first endure, then pity, then embrace" the lovely ere atures who love to go wherever man is found," and chatter. chatter. chatter" " happily drowns the fervid oratory in- spired by new uniforms. Let us who are younger and stronger still have the blessed ones at, at our reunions, so that ment of Last at the cross and first at the grave" So many orators can't get along without that quotation, though 1t looks like the ladies might get tired of it. Colonel Gilchrist was man of some originality. You never caught him with that stale tribute to woman. lie pre- ferred a line from R Byron in Greek, which being translated, is Good, God Almighty how I love you!'' That's the way with us fellows who still want 'em at the re- unions.
 ed for the poor Confederate Veterans who want a little politics fin thern. |" They don't care to have an old veteran as orator of the day They prefer to ha Hra fal1oTV stOrate'' fOr xvb rvop in his shirt tail in the days that tried mems souls, and who carries hts mind In <hippin" yet so as not to let it all out at once. They are the religious kind of veterans and select their speaker from those of whom it is said. For of such is the Kingdom of Heaven" May the Lord have mercy on their poor little souls.
 But. speaking of lovely woman," re- minds me that my old friend. "The Old Man Eloquent of Montgomery who is young, in mind at least. has a scheme to raise Monument to the Women. That means more money. I don't care if the monument begins with Eve and comes down. They deserve it. If it hadn't been for woman the Lord only knows what would have become of me. If the mon ument Is decided on. we can safely leave the ways and means to woman her self The time, no doubt, was when the children of darkness were wiser than the children of light, but the former can get few pints' from the latter, now. ne ClllluIPn OL uSnt never ldCk TOT dollar now when we want to benefit the heather or raise church debt. We just pick out the prettiest saints and send them forth like wolves in search of contributions. They have no respect for persons and will hone" a Republican for money as if he were no better than a common Democrat. have heard islature for money. So, If the monu- ment is to be raised let the children of darkness learn some of our ways.