The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-04
TUESDAY, JUNE a, 1907.
For he who is honest is noble.
NNhntcvcr his fortunes or BIRTH
Alice Curry.
THE NEW GENERATION,

THE NEW GENERATION.
Richmond reached heights and sound
ed depths yesterday that were hereto
fore unknown to this generation. IN
1890 when General Lees statue was
unveiled, and even as late as the last
great reunion held here in 1886, the
controlling spirit came from the men
who themselves had fought. But when
men pass three-score years, cach sue
ceeding decade decimates with 1earlul
rayages their already thinned ranks
It Is forty-two years since Appo1l'll-
tox, and In that time new generatloh
has arisen that knows not Joseph.
There are men to-day in middle age
,vho have never seen q slave in Amer
lea, and who were born long after the
doctrine Of constitutional secession had
been forever settled in favor OF the
largest battalions. No man born since
1870 can feel about States rights as
did the men who raised the Issue ana
fought the war of 1S61-'65. TO Gil
such of the modern generation the doc
trines and the constitutional beliefs Of
the secessionists have assumed more
or less tenuous and distant aspect.
But the Fundamental emotions of the
human heart are not founded upon
legal hair splittings, nor do they de-
pend upon loglca! ability. Men love
and suffer and die in response to call
that is far higher and more imperative
than any possible argument OF lawyers
And when the lessening line of he
roes bent and old and unsteady. but H.
lustrious with an Incompatible and im-
perisbable glory. went bravely up the
street in honor Of their dead President
and Lost Cause. something Of the same
: emotion that had fired their hearts and
.illumined their lives clutched each
cheering man by the throat and turned
the roar Of applause into sob that
4 went too deep for tears. Such emotions
Sthe Confederate army defy analysis.
Dim deserted perhaps. but profoundly,
each young man felt somewhere in his
own being a response to the noble and
vivors and their conrad es-in-arms to
follow their eolors into the heart Of a
hopeless fight land die there, defeated
but unafraid. And as the glory OF such
Pronunciation dawnod in the heart OF
each onlooker there came sob, as q
half-expressed prayer, for courage to dc
likewise and for strength to endure for
THE right even to the death. For, with
one of those rare flashes of insight into
the very heart and essence of things
that sometimes come to individuals or
communities, the now generation In
Richmond saw yesterday the unspeak
able glory OF service in a high cause
no matter where the path might lead
No longer We're tho veterans merely
brave old men who bore defeat u.
brayely as they had given battle, bu
rather, like soldiers OF q mighty arm,
that was enrolled from all ages ant
veterans stood as one with every higl
and lofty soul in the history OF tn
world
To be one of that fellowship. to b
welcomed and received as brothe
with all the mighty dead and masterfu
living, to have been tried AND prove
and accepted by the highest standard
was the crown and prize that thos
veterans had won. And as tho parad
swept by, the vision OF that prize wa
youchsafed to many whose eyes ha
been holden. From that vision thout
ands OF young men win rise UP and &
about their several tasks in a way tina
would not be otherwise possible, M
the life OF this Commonwealth an
this country VIII receive the enrich!n
and inspiring influence of<these me
who, dead or alive. st!ll shape our de.
t!nIes by ruling our hearts.