The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-08-29

l6RlOE6 OF ancient ftOmo. Inc farIQeQOn, at
Athens perpetuates the glory and the grand
eur OF Greece. Germany. France and Great
Britain have their majestic monuments and
imposing and inspiring Battle Abbeys, that
orous fests ami struggles for supremacy OF
these mighty Empires. Although the monu.
ment on which we today admiringly and af.
fectionately gaze is less lofty than are many
OF the colums erected to commemorate mar
tial deeds, It has Significance as sublime
and teaches lesson as eloquent, impressive
and inspiring az does any masterpiece ever
carved by Phidias, Pra1iteles or Michael
Angelo.
It has been cut from Southern granite, and
is gray in color, emblematic OF the uniform
the Con nfederate soldiers and sailors proudly
wore. It is as int1e1ible as was the indop1it-
able courage, the intrepidity OF the defenders
of the South, who, in the May morning OF
youth marched away from the groves
and glades OF this fair and favored District.
and who never returned to gladden. the sor-
rowing hearts, TO cheer, the saddened homes.
from which they parted for the path OF duty
in design and artistic in finish. Apart from
It's being stately and mmetrical-perfect In
its proportions; In the hags 80 tastefully car
we'd on its polished sides, and IN the lofty and
luminous lines are crystalized the patriotic
worth, the unswerving ndelity, the romantic
zeal Of the men to whom liberty was dearer
than life.
have gone to the Spirit land, where the speoi.
raj host, who illustrated Southern character,
constancy and courage on every battle neId
of the war, rest along the banks OF the atreams
which flow through the gardens Of Paradise,
this mon um ent shall be q shrine, where the
young and the old. the gentle and the strong
will meet. Fair, sweet mothers Will lnst1l
into impresaionable mind OF their Offspring
priceless truths. deduced from the services
and sacrifices fthe defenders Of the South;
from the story, OF the glory Of the men who
wore the gray. In their graves so still"
Lovely maidens shall point with pride to
the Inscription on the monument, transmit
Ling TO posterity as grand and glorious mes-
sage as ever came from Greek or Roman,
Celt or Saxon.
A message from the men whom you. com.
dauntless and defiant; whose fondest thoughts
were of their sunny, southern homes; OF
the loved and cherished ones, who were dear
er to them than life; that they were never
were rudely awakened by the tumult and
terror OF battle: the detonstion Of deadly
missiles. which rang out their requiem; tnelr
dying words breathed prayer for Carolina,
and their snsi vas tns SsrosS
who fell at Pharsalia; they also were buried
on the field, which they immortalized by their
ipflexible intrepidity,
Abbey to British prowess, TO British patriot
ien,, that records martial deeds more brilllsnt.
which recalls heroism ofa higher order, no
bier purposes. moro exalted character, tnan
does this graceful, chaste, granite column,
dedicated with prayer and praise 10 Aeoe-
viIle's Confederate Dead.
Even when this monument shall have
yielded TO the effacing touch OF time, tne
NLoet Cause and the memories which glorlIy
not be forgotten. The sad. sweet story Of III
fated valor. Of the unsurpassed heroism OF
our men, OF the faith and unswervipg fidelity
Of our women, shall continue TO ~, touSn a- ana 10
home minstrelsy, and awaken pity ana az
miration in every breast that throbs with
gen erous emotions.
'sWe care not whence they came,
Dear 10 their lifeless clay: :
Whether unknown. or known TO fame.
Their cause and country still tho same,
They died, and wore the gray"
Ny dear young friends-spirited aons and
charming daughters Of Coniedsrate heroes
and more peaceful than the past has been to
the veterans, whom you cheer by your wei
come presence to-day. Yet instead OF grievin
Confederate Army, and we regard the four
years OF military service. the proudest period
OF our lives. The lengthening OF time Wh1cn
uB from those eventflu and cnerlsn-
days but our Ggs for or
comrades alongside OF whom we marched
and fought. "Civus Romanus Sum" was the
boast Of the resolute Roman. With every
survivor OF the State the highest distinction
is, I am q South Carolinisn-I have been
Confederate soldier, or q Confederate sailor.
This We hold priceless heritage, the guerdon
OF our glory. When the Normans triumphed
over the Saxona, and the lion n.hearted King
Harold lay dead on the fatal field Of Hastings
there was found craven on his breast, Edith:
England. My friends, upon the breast OF
every one Of the fifty thousand soldiers from
this State, who put into practice the pripci.
pies of Secession: OF whom twenty thousand
sacrificed their lives on the hallowed altar OF
their country, there is written In crimson
characters, Carolina, Confederacy.