The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1906-05-17


Sedan.
"The bones of their comrades are
whitening on the field of battle or are
covered in neglected graves, yet me.
thinks their souls which took flight
from the field of hattie look down and
honor us today.
1.-The story of the sufferings Of the
Confederate veterans is too sad to re-
peat, but it is story OF truth to be re.
membered and cherished by genera
tons yet unborn"
The speaker made beautiful refer
ence to the many monuments built to
the Confederate soldiers throughout
the South.
cit is true," said be, "the Confedel
| acy failed. 1t was overpowered
by the northern troops, by foreign as
sistance and the help of hundred and
ninety eight thousand negroes from
the South who fought against their
own masters.
The speaker recounted the fact how
the north refused exchange of prison.
ers and how Grant said that the only
Way to whip the Confederate soldiers
was to catch them and pen thera.
"When we laid down our arms at
Aopomattox," said the speaker, 1--WE
did so as heroes and not as traitors, and
let this be taught to the children OF
our Southland. Teach them that the
southern soldiers and their leaders were
not traitors. If they were, Washing
ton, the great father of this country,
was traitor.
at is all over now; the thunder
and rattle of musketry is hushed on the
moor; the sword is resting on the wall,
and the implements of war have been
turned into the plowshare, and the SOL
dlers who have rebuilt the old North
State, the grandest State in the Union,
ara ready to turn it oyer to the young
or ones as an inheritance of honor for
all time"
In closing Or. Zolicofer spoke pa
thetically to the old soldiers about the
last great battle that is to be fought
that battle which shall bring the DISCO
luton OF soul and body. He tenderly
admonished them to make preparation
for victory in death like unto their
most signal victories on the field of
battle here. He admonlshed them 10
keep FURNISHED their spiritual armor
and finally step over into the eternal
great day to enjoy the bliss OF heaven
forever as they may look back upon
the honors OF earth.
When DIR. Il )lllcoffer closed there
was loud and long applause and here
and there an old soldier wiped
moistered eye and breathed a sigh OF
blessing On the man who bad spoken
so elcquently and beautifully of the
honor and glory of the soldiers who
fought and died In the cause OF right.
By motion of Maj. J. B. Neal,
hearty vote of thanks was passed for
Dr.. Zollicoffer's able and elcquen ad-
dress.
The school children sang "Carolina"
and "Amerlca," the gathering was
dismissed by Rev. G. w. Phelps and
the crowd dispersed, while the old SOL
diers repaired to the Dr.. Wood grove
to enjoy bountlfuI dinner together.
There we're about seventy in line,
and they seemed happy in their step
together, though it was not as steady
as when they marched away to strife
nearly half century ago. Rev. q T.
Lumpkin invoked divine blessing.
The dinner which had been prepar-
ed and was served by the Daughters OF
the Confederacy, consisted OF choice
barbecue, ham, chicken, breads, cakes.
pies, and whatever else was needed to
make it perfect spread. ALI were
served to satisfaction and later in the
day the companions in arms" of other
days dispersed, grateful and glad OF the
opportunity to mingle together again.