Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1905-11-03
A MONUMENT TO SLAVES.
Tribute to Their Fidelity by Miss
SnInrI. N Snufhern Xxa..

Trfbute to Their Fidelity ny Miss
Solsri, Southern Woman.
In the hearts OF the mighty fallen Is
deep rooted the feeling OF inextin-
guishable gratitude to the loyal slaves
10 whose care the women and children
were intrusted during the entire period
OF the war between the states. 1t is a
sentiment that still remains smoldering
In the souls OF those who owned them.
To those slaves who watched the fire.
side. titled the soil, helped spin, weave
md make raiment for the master and
his son on the battlefield to those
slaves who protected and provided for
the families at home-ls due a monu-
ment that will tell the story to coming
generations that cannot be taught the
lesson of self sacrifice and devotion
OF the slave in any other way. II
time is ever ripe for noble deed, now
is that time. for the grand, courteous
southern slave owner is fast passing
away. and to erect the monument
would be to hand down to posterity an
| open book in which our southern chill
dren can learn that every negro is no
black fiend." The north would not
understand the sentiment or course
not.
Erecting this monument would infiu-
ence for good the present and coming
generations and prove that the people
| of the south who owned slaves valued
and respected their good qualities as
no one else ever did or will do. 1t
would bespeak the real conception OF
the affection OF the owner toward the
slave and refute the ISLANDERS and
falsehoods published in Uncle TOMS
| Cabin"
There did exist In the days Of trial
and hardship not only perfect under
| standing. but the kindest sympathy,
and in thousands Of plantations and
homes where every white male on the
place able to bear arms would go to
the battlefield the helpless families of
women and children were left entirely
to the care and protection of the trust
ed slaves
No one who was rocked to sleep by
the sweet lullaby of the faithful black
nanny" listened TO her weird ghost
stories, nursed at her breast or played
about her cabin door would ever be
willing to have these tender memories
! die out. There is the side of sentiment.
the side Of gratitude, that those who
nave felt the touch can never give up
nor can they forget the debt due the
faithful 10 per cent OF slaves that re-
manned with their masters after free
DOM"
Erect the monument. 1t will result
In much good, as 1t will tell future
generations that the white men OF the
south were the Negroes best friends
then and that the men of the south
are the Negroes best friends today.
Instances portraying the fidelity of
the slaves might be told to fill endless
volumes and would recite the sweetest
stories of heartfelt devotion, the most
unseltish acts, prompted by pure love;
self forgetting, they would sacrifice
comfort-yea, even go hungry-and
with smile serve those to whom they
feit an undylng fealty. They could not
express all they felt, but for mammy's
girl or hoy" they could work and
suffer and teach a blessed lesson of
endurance and glorified fortItude. for.
as Miss Dromgoole so sweetly ex-
presses It:
Her face IS as black as ebon
Wrinkled and scanned and old.
But her heart 1 know, IS as white M
snow
And true as the rarest gold.
Her brown hands. old and feeble
with tho touch or passing years
would Danish each trace OF care from my
face
And brush from my heart the tears.
NANNY and friend. loved her,
Humble and all unframed.
But love to trace in her love the face
Ihat robber years have claimed.
Her face is as black as ebon
Her soul as fair as the day,
And her prayers, know. wherever go
VIII follow me all the way.
Confederate Victorian