The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1905-11-09
A NOTABLE SPEECH i.

The address delivered at the reunion
OF Featherston Camp, United Con-
federate Veterans, at Water Valley,
by Hon. G.. D. Stands, has attracted
as much attention as any public de-
liverance made in this state, says the
Clarion Ledger. For four years a
confederate soldier, eight years
lieutenant-go governor, and for longer
time professor Of law in the state
University, and whose record on the
field and in civic life is without blot
or blemish.- Gov. Stands felt that he
had the tight to speak to the veterans
as one confederate soldier would speak
to another, and the thoughts he pre-
sented and ideas discussed will re !.
vertebrate around the whole state.
| He objected to and deprecated the
practice that has grown so common
among the public men in appealing to
the ."Confederate sentimet," say.
ing:
"We are yet SO near the great war
between the States that elections to
offices are most easily obtained by se-
curing the soldier vote and influence.
''I sometimes feel that We are
being worked, if I may be permitted
to use that most expressive slang
word, and that we are not, at times,
careful to distinguish between the
tributes of praise which springs
from heart which loves us because
of our suffering and valor, and those
insinuous and sinuating appeals which
means votes. However this may be.
some of our men pile fattery upon us
and arouse our prejudices by in
fiammatory speech until we become
incautious. We are made intensely
provincial by this narrow and selfish
treatment at the hands Of those who
should lead us along higher paths.
The thought is engindered that it is
enough if we keep Mississippi solidly
democratic, without regard to what
may be our relations to, and what is
thought of us by, the other states of
the Union, and by the government at
Washington.
Comrades, this is unfortunate, to
say the least of it: yea, more, it is
foolish and suicidal. We ought to be
broader and stronger, and ought not to
be led by our prejudices. We are
sometimes made to walk mp and de-
liver our votes for the man who uses
the strongest language denunciatory
| of the other sections of the union, of
the unfortunate and often vicious race
by which we are surrounded and by
causing the censure of high officials
of the government.
Comrades, was delighted when
read on Tuesday that the confederate
camps at Birmingham were or.
ganizing to meet aud escort the
president of the United States when
he shall come there next week on his
southern tour, and that the grand
daughter of Admiral Rapheal Semmes
of confederate renown is to pin upon
him badge, in expression Of con.
federate esteem of our highest pubic
servant. How much better is this
than to be, as we are, in state, in a
hide. bound frame Of mind which is
supposed to exist in Mississippi, and
which does exist, if the utterances of
some of our most highly honored
public servants are test of our
feelings. For myself, confederate
soldier and private citizen Of this
commonwealth, to whose advancement
I have given all the mature years Of
my life, say nay, verify.
"Can it be true that Featherston
camp of confederate veterans is glad
that the president of the United States
is not to touch Mississippi; yea, more,
is designedly, it may be. skirting
around it to avoid touching it, ke-
cause we have made no show Of hos
pitality to him? Should we refuse to
the occupant of this high Office the
respect and honor due it, simply be-
cause the incumbent may, forsooth,
in times past, have said some unkind
word Of US or those whom we loved
and honored in the past, and whose
place in our hearts can never be
shaken by the misguided utterances or
any man?
Il "What is to be gained by this pol
icy of sectionalism and hate, save
offices for those who promulgate these
dangerous doctrines? Whom do we
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