The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1903-05-22
HAPPY WORDS
Of Welcome Extended to the Old
Confederate Veterans by
GOVERNOR D. CL1NCH HEYwARD
A Handsome Tribute to the Women.
The Great Deeds of Arms
Wrought by Carolian's
Brave Sons

Ht COlunDla SGa te says eyes have
never seen nor has canvas ever por-
traycd scene more inspiring in its
environments than that which greet
cd Gov. D. G. Hayward rs he arose to
address the Confederate soldiers Wed
nesday afternoon. lie stood at the
foot Of the steps Of the State house
and gave South Carolina's godspccd
to the veterans masscd in front Of
him-on each side Of the remnants or
South Carolina's splendid battalions
was line of younger soldiers, on
guard to prevent the proclamation Of
the space reserved for the men who
fought their way TO Immortality.
Beyond the martial scene and its con-
juring influences the Confederate SOL
dicr on the monument stood ut parade
rest. Back Of the speaker the faces
and forms or children gave brightness
to the picture and the old "Rebs''
lived their lives anew in gazing on the
teens Ut young faces flushed with the
happiness OF having literally bcstrcwed
with flowers the pathway Of the army
whose unprotected feet have felt the
sharp flint on Virginia highways.
Cheer after cheer rent the air as the
veterans gathered before the stand,
cheers for the governor OF their com
monwcalth, cheers for the children
who will he the queens Of Carolina
principalities in the years to come
Just as the governor was about to
begin speaking u shower drove many
OF the younger folks under cover or
umbrellas, hut the veterans stood
their ground. Il am reminded by
this shower and by the presence OF
the Georgians OF an incident which
happened on the Carolina coast" said
Coy. Hayward to the eager listeners.
a Georgia corporal who knew moth
Ing OF tides Stationed.i private and
forbade him to le;rvc the post When
the corporal Of the next relief came
along he found the poor fellow stand
ing in water up to his neck, with his
gun held high In air. WHAT the
thundcratiOn are you doing out til cre?'
asked the corporal. i was told not
to leave my post was the response.
but say, haven't we had the dickens
OF Il frcshet up the riycr?'' Gov.
Hayward declared that there had
been q fresltct Of veterans this week,
pouring into Columbia and refreshing
and rcviying by their presence the
memories OF the days gone by.
The little story and its application
pleased the soldiers, who barred their
heads to cheer despite the rain.
Many times during his admirable
speech, delivered with much earnest
ness and feeling, the governor was
forced to suspend on account OF cheer
ing. At the conclusion of his add IS
he was the vortex Of 4 surging crowd,
each OF whom wanted to grasp him ~
the hand. Some out Of consideration
for Gov lIeyward's welfare lifted him
upon their muskct linightcd shoulders
and carried him into Il place of refuge.
In addressing the veterans tho COVER
nor said:
GOVERNOR TElwARD'S WELCOME.
Gen. Carwiic, Confederate Veterans,
Sons OF Veterans, Sponsors, Ladies'
and Gcntlcmen:
10 the people of Columbia this is a
week Of sad and sacred memories, and
also OF great joy. It's opening days
have been spent in honoring the dead
in placing wreathS on soldiers
graves; It's remaining days will he
given 20 The living--in greeting and
in weaving garlandS for the veterans Of
the armies Of the south.
The week has been like an April
day, SO quickly has the sunshine fol-
lowed the shadows so quickly has Joy
followed sadness. While the bells
tollcd, with bowed heads we thanked
the Lord God OF Hosts for those who
in their lives and in their deaths ad-
vanced the south in glory and in
honor; and now it is our pleasure and
our privilege to welcome with happy
hearts and with outstretchcd hands,
| TO this the capital of South Carolina,
| those men who in years gone by also
wore the Confederate gray.
Although it has been 3S years since
the southern flag was folded at Apo
matt0X, and ~ years since the guns
OF Sumter and of NIoultric thund cred
forth over Charleston harbor, yet the
people of the south cannot forget.
They still cherish the Stars and Bars
that glorious battle flag, around
which once rang the rebel yell" and
beneath whose folds the sons of south
yielded up their lives in defense OF
their constitutional rights they still
love the southern Confcdcracy-th the
young republic which arose so Spotless
and which fell so pure.
Once again this week, in the city
OF Columbia--a city which Phoenix
like has arisen from its ashes, the
bands are playing Dixie, and once
again those soul-stirring strains are
sinking deep into the hearts OF white
haired nen who fought and bled for
Dixie. Once again cherished relics
Of the past have been brought forth,
and beneath a southern sky there
floats, as proudly us Of yorc, those be
loved, blood-staincd and bullct-torn
banners Of the old Confcderacy. Once
again are marching the men who
wore the gray, and again has the sun
slime played upon their ragged gray
caps, upon which as Henry Grady
said, The Lord God Almighty laid
the Sword OF His lmpcrishablc
Knighthood,"
THE LAST MEETING.
You have met, some OF you, per-
hapS, for the last time on earth to
shake each others hands. You have
come from every part OF South Caro-
lina-you have cone from Georgia,