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

the cause for which we fought, to perpetu-
ate the valor and patriotism of the Con-
federate sailors and soldiers who gave
their lives in their countrys cause. In
many old, WORKOUT, scrapbooks now sell
dom read by the present generation but
guarded with peculiar reverence by those
to whom they have descended are stored
away the songs of the Confederacy
From the prints of the fingers which APP
pears along the margin, and the tear
drops which besmear the open page, it is
evident that other agencies than mere
time have been at work The association
of grief, sorrow. despair and anguish
which are thus recalled not only impart
a solemn dignity, but more especially
tender reverence, a reverence like that
which draws us to the grave or urn which
now contains only heap of dust or ashes.
but was once the embodiment of all that
was loveliest and dearest on earth to
some bereaved soul.
Such Is the memory of the old Confed-
crate struggle. the cause which drew
from its scabbard the sword of the great
Christian warrior, Robert F.. Lee and
sent to martrydom. without a stain upon
his soul. Stonewall Jackson, the match
less leader Of his age.
Memory's Dream.
All this is now but memorys dream. as
1t were, embelished by the splendid hero
ism of brave and glorious people The
ashes of those who engaged in tins strug-
gle are now scattered along the stream of
time, and the war poems in which their
renown is celebrated are merely the gar
lands, so to speak, that song has woven
for the generations of those Wild fell in
defense of our beloved southland
To you, my comrades who wore the
a { no Of ha
resentatives of this class that | con-
graduate you on your faith and firm Le-
lief in the justice of the cause for which
you fought. and your firm determination
to never admit that your cause was un-
just.
Doubtless when you SURRENDERED dixie
MYSELF you thought all was lost, and
there was no place of refuge fou soldier
who had worn the gray, but we have long
since seen our mistake and nowjreeognize
the fact that there is room enol gh in this
great country for us all. Yes. there is a
wise providence who provides fof his own,
and when look back to the Ifconstruc-
ton period of forty years ag5 and re-
member the trials and difficulties under
which we had to live. / am convinced that
the same wise God directed our steps.
that was ever present with Moses when
he conducted the children of lIsreal out
of the land of Egypt and FROM the house
o. bondage.
This being the case, my dear COM
rades. let us not for get our duty to God
and our fellow man; let us while it is day
he up and doing. that we may add some
thing TO the cause of universal friend
ship and thus assist in the split of recon-
Citation, that this great nation may be
united as one common people. all press
ing forward with an eye single to the
glory of America.
To those who wore the blhe
To the old soldiers who wore the blue
may | now say a word Perhaps some OF
you have today come with Us to join in
this solemn and impressive service. If so,
| want to thank ycn in bhhalf of the
company here assembled. as well as these
old Confederate veterans. and now that
YOU are with us here in the city of the
dead where the very air We breathe is
but the signs of the spirits of those who
have occupied here before is' and. with
these silent monuments ds witnesses,
standing as lonely sentinels over all that
was once mortal of our comrades, may
I ask that you stop. think, consider. and
see IL It is not wise for you to meet us at
the sentry line, joining hands over the
bloody chasm. and assist us in obliterat-
ing all hate. all malice. and all envy be-
tween the different sections of our now
united country
Now Friends.
Yes. let us get together and show the
world that we are ind ed friends, united
for the purpose of upholding the glory
and honor of the greatest republic the
sun ever shone upon. To the true soldier
who wore the blue or the gray. and SMELL
ed burning powder and say the now or
blood, | want 10 appear TODAY TO know
II YOU are not ready AMI willing to join
with us in obiiterating Al sectional feel
ing. that we may know no north. no