The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-28
VETERANS FORM
 CONNECTING LINK Hugh H. White Delivers a Thoughtful Reunion Address THE PAST AND PRESENT Some Evils Which Existed in the Old South Have Been Banished
 From the New South.
 Interesting Review.
THE PAST AND PRESENT

The speech which Hugh H. White of Centre delivered before the Confederate veterans at Frog Creek Camp Ground, in Cherokee county, August 12, follows:
 The old war bugle, scared with the marks of many a conflict, has again sounded an assembly. Its notes were borne afar to you, busy in the various pursuits of peace. At its call the blow handle dropped from your hand, and a forgotten horse fed on the succulent corn you were tending; or customer waited impatiently for you to render him his bill. wondering why you leaned against your desk so long gazing into the past with look he could not understand.
 Once more mist gathering in your eyes shut out the scene of peace about you. Again you saw line of gray nov ing with a steady tramp that showed no fear, marehin gto repel the invader. Once more your pulse quckened at the rattle of musketry and your grip frightened on the rifle at your side at the deep mntter- ings of the cannon's mouth.
 Walked From Dream.
 But now the noise of a busy world has walked you from your dream. The mist fades from your eyes. The cloud of war has vanished and broad before the view spreads the picture of contented husbandry. The busy whir and keen whistle of industry strike on your ears. The roar of battle Is gone, silent with the voices of the past.
 Your eyes shine grateful for the smile 0f ab And af uo1 could not smother the yearning that stirred within your battle-stained bosoms to look again into the eyes of comrades, mayhap growing dim with the increasing years, to clasp once more hands that were strong and ready for honor's sake and to come and commune with hearts that did not falter in their country's sorest need "An hour that tried mems souls" With this spirit you have come together here. All honor to that past than which no other could have bore such spirit All honor to it's perpetua- tion, not only utterly free from any taint of disloyalty, but rather-and I say 1t without fear of contradiction-imbued with loyalty and patriotism for which your country hungers today.
 I cannot look on you as I would upon an ordinary body of men. In life's school. whether In the primary or the graduate class if we have learned It's lesson at all, we have found we cannot truly sym pathize where we have not suffered. Born mid the sunshine of peace, in child hood lullel to sleep with its soft, sweet songs reared unuder the protection of It's white shield of repose-I cannot enter Into those stirring mental experiences to- day revived by you who have passed through the black, freshot, death-dealing storm of war.
 Conditions Compared.
 But if I could share those experiences, and by a. true rehearsal of them stir anew within you the dark passions of fratri- cidal conflict I would be unfaithful alike to you and myself and false to our com mon country, should I seek to do so shall strive rather in these remarks by comparing the conditions which obtained in our part of the country prior to 1860, with those that have followed the civil war, to show that 1t Is better after all, perhaps, that the old south, grand, state ly and magnificent as 1t stood, was shak- ened up and changed to make our New South yet greater and more attractive section.
 You veteran survivors of the Confeder- ate cause, form link between us younger people of a succeeding generation and that old south. Looking into your faces, our minds are turned backward to the splendor and stateliness of ante-bellum days In the scene that rises before our fancy, we mark in the foreground pie ture which well represents the life and conditions of that era.
 Across the broad acres of a large plan tation sloping up from the river to de- cided knoll stands the home of south ern planter. Simple, yet elegant, with It's long, wide verandas and massive white columns surrounded by spacious lawn and set in cluster of kingly oaks, 1t forms a beautiful picture of security, prosperity and contentment. Farther back Is a long, one-story, red brick building wearing an aspect of comfort and satisfaction--the quarters for the planters slaves. Away off to the right, on the summit of hill, in the edge of new made clearing, is another building evidently intended for home. It's rude. plain. unambltious and forlorn- looking cottage No one acquainted with the country would mistake 1t for the planters mansion of the quarters of his slaves. It's the abode of poor white tenant who tills small plot of the plant er's lands
 Representative Types.
 Planters, slaves, and as the negroes called them, poor white trash" these were the three representative types of the old south.
 The planter, prosperous ana secure III the rich tribute of his fertile valleys and lowlands, cared nothing for the fact that the hills and mountains around him were filled with iron and coal, marble and gold He had plenty. he was secure and there- fore contented. The voice of varied indus try borne to him from New England and the east must long have wooed before 1t could have won him. The drowsy hum of bees as they gathered honey for their lord, the plaintive melodies sung by his slaves as they garnered rich haryests for their master. fell sweeter far on his ears. and In his opinion, comported far better with the estate of a gentleman than ever could have the whirr of fac tory or the loud shriek of the furnace. His shoulders that filled so we'll the toga of true and broad statesmanship, and wore as none else has ever worn, the epaulettes of a commander in war; were reluctant in offering themselves to push forward the wheel of industrial progress. He looked upon the slave as created for