The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1906-05-02
upon the shore to watch with weary

dead, but most for the sake Of the
living, that in this busy industrial
age these stones to the Confederate
soldier may stand like great interro-
CATION marks to the soul Of each be-
holder. Are you also ready to die for
your country? Is your life worthy to
be renem bered along with theirs? Do
you choose fo1 yourself this greatness
Of soul?
's Not in the clamor Of the crowded
street,
Not in the shouts and plaudits OF the
throng,
But in ourselves are triumph and de-
feat
''The second thing is this: Let US
pass the remainder CT our days Ia such
wise, that nothing we shall do will
bring shame and regret; that we, also,
were Confederate soldiers. AS we
shared with them the glory OF thei1
suferings, the fame Of their victories,
the Jrssedy OF their overthrow, and
that sympathy Of their countrYnen
which covered the defeated as with q
mantle OF impsrishsble love, let US,
also, share as best we may their sim
p'jcitY Of hea.t, their scorn Of all ig.
noble actions, their dignity Of soul,
that our descendants may say to US,
with swelling hearts, he also follow
ed Johnson; he also fought With Lee.
To this day there stands carved upon
the graves OF our English ancestors
the symbol Of the Crusader. Their
mares are forgotten, but the cross re-
mains. So let it be with the Confed.
crate soldier! In the great muster
DAY be OF the lion heart will take the
band OF tbs kingly man who sleeps at
Lexington, and say, Brother, my
cause was also lost
And IS there any message we
would give to the State We loved, and
on whose behalf We drew swords,
more than generation ago? AS we
have sorrowed over your devotion, we
now rejoice in your prosperity. We
chose for you the fortune OF war,
rather than shameful peace. We
hatsled for your principles, rathe,
than yield them, not to conviction,
but to forcs. With breaking hearts
Ee bowed beneath the stroke OF fate.
We chose the only course worthy Of
Americans. Better defeat than dis
honor, better the long, bitter story OF
Reconstruction than tame surrender
OF the convictions We received from
our fathers, the principles which we
cherished as the basis OF our liberties.
We leave cur motives to the judg,
nent Of prosperity. In the choice
we made, We followed the dictates OF
conscience and the voice Of honor
We sacrificed all that men hold dear
for the land Of our birth, and, while
We have no fear that history will re-
cord our deeds with same, we do not
regard even the verdict OF posterity
as the equivalent OF clear consci-
elcs; nor ought ne to hsVe been tslse
to cur convictions, even to win the
eternal praises Of mankind. II our
children shall praise Us, it is well; II
our own hearts tell US we have fulfill
e5 our duty, it is better.
Last Of all, let Us remember our
less prosperous comrades, not fortu-
nate even in their death, or in thei,
survival, to whom have been denied
wealth and good fortune; alas! toe
often, even the blessing Of health,
without which all others avail but ]it-
tie. II We can perhaps sweeten the
last years Of these old men, bring
back, maybe, the light OF other days
in their fading eyes, awake in their
hearts the great memories, they shall
bless US in receiving more than we in
giving. Many Of the States, whom
they so nocly served, have begun te
gather them in soldiers homes, in
stitutions which combine the beauty
OF charity with the grace Of gratitude
But there are many other old veter.
ans who will never be brought within
such hospitable walls, and who are
left to cur persona! charge for such
sympathy and assistance as are hon
orsble alike to them and to Us. LIE!
eacn camp continue its special care
for this beneacsnt labor, and let Us
see to it that true comradeship shall
cease only when tbs last old soldier
has passed beyond human power.
"To you, brothers Of the memorial
association, will be given the service
Of commenorating the soldiers vir-
tues in the hearts CT those who come
after US, by the story Of che illustri-
Gus dead, Of comforting the hearts Of
those who mourn our lost heroes, with
such ninislrations as bespeak the
sym patty Of the patriot and the loV-
irg kindness Of those who are familiar
with the same sorrow.
To you, Sons OF Confederate Vet
erans, We will commit the Vindica-
tor OF the cause for which we fought.
To yop- strength will be given the de-
tense Of the Confederate soldiers IS
good name, the guardianship Of his
history, the emulation Of his virtues,
the perpetuation OF those principles
which be loved, and which you love
also, and those ideals which made
aim glorious, snd which you also
cherish.
ITO you, Daughters Of the Confed-
e1acy, will bs given tle loving service
CT remembering the Confederate dead
and Of ministering to the living who
were dear 10 him, and are in need o.:
your help and Tenderness. Worthy
daughters you shall be OF the inmor.
tai women, your mothers, who gave
20 womanhood a new perfection OF
heroisn and q more divine expression
OF sacrifice and devotion.
ITO you, brave people OF the South,
to you, true hearted Americans every
where; to you, world-conquering race
from which he sprung; to all men