The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1904-07-27

or the pure, lOVely ana D9aulllul "O-
men of our country. Yes, we will
welcome the approach of the day
when we come cut here to blvouac
on this. as an "old camping ground" J."
and we'll sing. ''Tenting on the Old
Camping Ground" and our mothers,
and all the maidenly grace and
beauty of our daushters-"The
Girls of Dixie"-will bring rich flow
ers to entwine new laurels Of honor
around your brows: the women will
bring from the closet end the ward.
robe that sacred suit OF "Old Con-
ederate Grey ard will hold it up
f.o the gaze of our boys and show
them the brass buttons on which was
implanted the Palmetto tree, which
ia an ensign for the State you fought
for and love so well; and we'll send
for the scabbards, and we'll take
from them the swords Of Lee, Jack
son, Hampton, Butler, Gordon and
ali our other Generals, and show them
to our boys; and at the tap of the
drum we'n take up The Old
Flag Pole," around which is wrapped
the old battle SCARED, bullet riddled,
blood stained flag of the Confeder-
acy and we will march in great pha-
lanxs as we unfurl and float it to the
breeze. All this to inspire new
courage and bravery in our boys
such courage as characterized that
matchless and immortal Jackson
when he was told, after one Of those
memorable battles, You stood like
S,onewall." He exclaimed; mot me
alone, is entitled to this high enco-
MUM, but all my men, all the SOL
diers of the Confederacy."
Yes, boys, we will rally around the
flags of our fathers and We will sing
patriotic songs and when they are
basking in the sunlight of pleasure
in that spirit land, they will catch up
the chorus and tie refrain, and watt
it TO angel land, and it will be handed
back to US in echoes of their laugh
ing, smiling approval; and methinks
We hear them say: well done, my
childrep!" Well join you in singing
.'Dixie, My Dixie Land! and hurrah
with a Rebel yell!"
Colonel M. D.. Harman's Response.
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentle
It is now about one year past since
we had the pleasure, at your kind il
vitation, of assembling in your midst
and accepting of the hospitality so
generously bestowed upon US. AL
though I am no public speaker, it
would be the heighth of ingratitude
did I not appear before you as the
representative of the surviving SOL
diers of the Confederacy from Lex
ington county. and I assure you that
it is quite pleasure for US to meet
with you again. It fills my heart
heart with Joy and glsdness to ap-
pear before this large and represel .
tati7e audience to thank you for the
honor conferred upon us, the survi-
wing comrades of once pround and
chivalorous army, for extending to
us the second invitation to meet in
your beautiful and thriving town.
You certainly deserve the commenda-
tion of every old soldier here for the
interest you have manifested in our
behalf, and I know I voice the senti-
ments of the comrades, whom I have
the honor to represent on this occa-
sion, when I say We feel honored by
the very kind and courteous invitation
extended to US to hold our fifth an
nual county reunion in your midst.
We feel and believe that you were
we'll pleased with the conduct exhi-
bited by US at our last meeting one
year ago. Your second invitation
coming so soon confirms US in this
belief. can assure you, kind friends
of Lees7iIle, that We enjoyed being
with you then, and that we enjoyed
the sweet music rendered by the
young folks; the lovely song by the
dear little children; the smiling faces
of the kind ladies, and last but not
least the hearty welcome given US by
the Mayor and other officers of your
town. It is quite an honor to be
thus treated, and We know We will
enjoy ourselves on this present occa-
sion. One by one We are passing
away. But a few more short years and
we all be gone to join our many CON-
rades who have long gone before,
some of whose bones now lie bleach
ing upon the bloody heights cf
G:tyesburg, some upon the fowery
banks of the Rapponanock, some IN
lonely cemeteries in far away north
ern lands, and many in graves un-
marked and unknown. We shall all
pass over the great river beyond
where we hope to meet with Davis,