The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1907-05-10
MEMORIAL
ADDRESS
~ yudGs Charles ,. ParkhilI In
Msass u Representatives Last
wsok.

Ladies Of the Anna Jackson Chapter,
Daughters Of the Confederacy, mem.
bers Of Lamar Camp, Confederate
Veterans, and friends and citizens
When Jefferson Davis was inaugu-
rated President of the Confederate
States Of America, on the 18th day Of
February, 1861, he uttered these proph-
etc words: THE impartial and en-
i0htened verdict of mankind will vindi-
cate the rectitude of our conduct, and
He who knows the hearts of men will
Judge of the sincerity with which
we have labored to preserve the govern
ment of our fathers in its spirit. - And
now, fOrty-six years after that historic
day. we are permitted to assemble here,
to ful6ll the prophecy of Jefferson Da-
Wis, and to declare to the world our con-
fidenee in the reetitude of his conduct,
and our love for the Southern Patriots
who shared, with him, the trials and
dangers of that unequal struggle.
We come at the invitation Of the ever
faithful Daughters Of the COnfederacy,
and Il is very pleasing indeed to know
that the President Of the Anna Jackson
Chapter is the daughter Of Colonel
Theodore w. Brevard, who was not on
" one of the bravest and most gallant
soldiers Of the South, but the most
finished and eloquent orator Florida has
ever known; and it is especially pleas
ing to me TO have been presented TO
You by the grandson of Col. George 7.
Ward. whose untimely death, at the
head Of the Second Florida Regiment
at Williamsburg, not only deprived the
South of a gallant and brave soldier,
but Florida of one of her wisest and
most far-seeing statesmen. We come
honored by the governor and state Off
Gals; and, through the courtesy of the
legislature, meet in their legislative
hall.
This is a day of memories, proud,
sad. memories. l come to speak today
not of the so-called New South, bat of
the Old South, not of the reconstructed
South, but of the South in disunion. /
am not unmindful that in this audience
there are those who, while they honor
as with their presence, are not OF our
faith; but / must not be restrained by
the amenities of the occasion from
speaking plainly and boldly of our
cause. We harbor no i'll will TO the
brave union soldier and his worthy son,
and we welcome them too. Let me say
to them that we appreciate the mag
unanimous proposal of President McKin- |
lev to have the United States govern |
ment care for the graves of our sol
diers, and the return, by the general
government, after so long a time, Of
our captured battle flags.
Yes, better late than never Twas a tardy act Of
That sent the old flags home again to find rest
ing place
But Ola Master 3 left few Of us who one time
wore the gray,
To rive them fitting welcome in the State House
am glad few Of us are left. their victories to
To sing the songs of Dixie's land and raise the /
rebel yell.
When the thirteen colonies declared |
their independence of Great Brittian, |
they styled themselves states, and sew |
orally entered into a firm league of |
friendship with each other for their |
common defense. In the formation Of !
that compact, each state, by distinct |
article Of agreement retained its SOW
ereignty, freedom and independence. |
The present constitution of the United /
Ststes, was framed by delegates elected |
by each Of the severl states under
resolution of Congress which recognized |
the sovereignty of the several states. /
This constitution, however, did not con-
tain the clause Of the articles of the
eOnfederacy, which provided in explicit |
terms, that each state retain its SOW
CAGtkl-IN dttn luCDCD0CICGs vi dCCOQill
of this omission some alarm was felt in |
the states, when they were called upon |
to ratny the constitution, lest this omis-
sion should be cOnstrud into an aban-
dOnment Of the cherished principle of |
the sovereignty of the states, and !
they refused to be satisfied until amend- !
ments were added to the constitution
placing beyond any doubt the reserva-
ton by the states Of all their sovereign
rights not expressly delegated 70 the
United States by the constitution.
Soon after the formation of this gov.
eminent, the northern states undertook
20 render the common government sub
servant TO their own purposes by inn
posing burdens on commerce as 8 pro-
lection 70 their manufacturing and
shipping interests. Then they inaugera-
ted an agitation against rights Of the
South In the property of slaves. All
thig time the principles Of the cOnstitu-
ton had become corrupted in the north
ern mind until the rights Of the states
we're lost sight Of. Abraham Lincoln
declared that the relations between a
state and the United States were as
those which existed between a county
and 3 state.
After q long series of assaults upon
the constitution and the rights of the
states hereunder, the Southern States,
Ia accordance with the ancient right
Of each state 70 Judge and redress
the WronNe Of which " complains, de-