The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-04-27


present. Mr.. Rhodes paid feeling tribute
to the honor and yalor of the southern
soldier and the patriotism of southern
women.
Mayor w. NJ. Bremen next accepted the
monument in behalf of the city of Biz
mlngham.
Mr. Drennen's speech was brief but tell
ing and was loudly applauded.
DR.. r. M. Cunningham.
DR.. r. M. Cunningham. lieutenant gov
ernor, in most happy and appropriate
speech accepted the monument in the
name of the state.
Here are some of DIR. Cunningham
eloquent sentences:
Through revelation and science we
know that war has existed from mans
beginning to the beginning of history.
Foom that date we know it has consti-
tuted large part of the activities of
men. Until comparatively recent times
the organization and function of govern
ment were chilly militant The objects Of
these wars have been empire and domin-
ion, and the propagation and maintenance
of principle or belief Since government
and law began armed or forcible opposl-
ton to constituted authority has been
called rebellion and the defense of the
| lawful regime has been called loyalty
| History records the victors in such a war
as patriots, and the vanquished rebels.
The reason of this is that success in the
struggle and not merit of the cause is
the historical criterion for fixing the
status of the contestng forces.
Among civilized peoples war is usually
preceded by a greater or less period of
discussion and disputation. The war be-
tween the states was a conspicuous ex-
ample of this. There was a great ques-
ton at issue. to-wit Which was the
greater sovereignty the United States or
the state?' 1t was evident to all that there
could be but on supreme and final au-
thorty to settle questions at issue between
the state and the United States. This
question could not be settled by peaceful
methods, therefore war was a necessity.
The question was which was the con-
stituted and lawful final authority, the
United States or the state? Those who
believed that 1t was the United States
fought to maintain that belief; those who
believed 1t was tie state fought
to maintain that belief. Therefore,
neither party were fighting constituted
authority as they saw it and believed 1t to
be- and consequently neither party were
rebels, but both parties We're loyalists and
patriots. The war of the rebellion is a
mistake: the characterization Of either
side as rebels is false History that so de-
clares is prejudica or is written regard
| less of those fundamental and basic prin-
| clples that facts that explain history, and
that lead up to great events as causes.
Such histories are academic and not
| philosophical
ITO discuss here at this time those prin-
ciples and facts embracing as they do
the laws of nature, of ethics and of the
United States and of the state as they
| severally and collectively effected the
migration and integration of races and
peoples, their relations, institutions, bust
nesses, religious and political opinions
etc, giving the reasons or causes for the
| differences of opinions that existed north
and south as to which is the supreme SOW
erelgnty, the state or nation, is out Of
place and inopportune. Nor is II necessary
to discuss here the better policy nor the
best results. Suffice it to say that the
| great question is settled and settled
forever and in the only manner possible
! by the arbitrament of the sword.
! 1--WE are here today one people under
one flag and as citizens of an indssolube
union, to honor one side of the great
| struggle that made these things so. A
monument erected to the Confederate or
Federal soldier is a monument to Ameri-
can patriotism courage and valor, and is
! ., 3,i, of oil NNh n
scientious conviction and fearlessness in
maintaining it, Neither Confederate nor
Federal will be lost to the future, for
they will live in history.
Notwithstanding this it Is meet and
| proper that their memory should be per-
| petuated also in bronze and stone as a
| constant reminder to us of their honor
and glory and achievement The unquar-
| ried stone exposed to the agencies of ma
| ture rots and decays The quarried and
| polished stone. beautiful and adorned by
art, withstands the vicissitudes of time
So it is with memory. Left to itself it
may forget and decay; but revered it re-
| calls the past and does honor to whom
honor is due. TO this end this monument
erected to the memory of the Confederate
soldier. will stand
| "oT each passerby II will recall the past.
| and his heart will swell with joy and
pride in remembrance of those for whom
1t stands. In reality it is still, silent. cold.
"Figuratively 1t moves, breathes and
| throbs as it symbolizes the energy and en-
durance, courage and bravery patriotism
and devotion of the Confederate soldier.
1t speaks for the dead, that their memory
Z, lie 70, ho
| living that the virtues of the dead may
| be ever emulated 1t stands as memoir
| ial of the past, as an inspiration to the
present as a prophecy of the future. For
| il stands for conviction, honor, country"
General Harrison.
| Gen. George p Harrison. commanders
| in-chief of the United Confederate Vet