The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1907-05-31

the Noble Sons of Union County.
Col. Asbury Coward, Orator of the
Day, Made an Eloquent Address.
Saturday, May 25, was a great
day with the people of Union and
Union county. Thousands of peo-
pie, clad in holiday attire thronged'
the streets of our little city. Even
Oh Friday afternoon numbers came
in and spent the night with rela-
tives or friends. The morning train
going north brought up scores of
people. So with the one going
south. From East and West, North
and South the people came stream
ing into Union by private convey
ances Saturday morning. Long be-
fore the hour set for the beginning
of the ceremonies the streets were
lined with people.
At IL O'Clock the old Veterans,
200 in number, were lined up in
double column in front of Hotel
Union. The Union Cornet band
was there, also.
Then came a procession led by ID
young ladies bearing garland and
walking single file, followed by 60
school girls dressed in white and
carrying each q wreath of flowers
These led by Chief of Police Long
led the way up Main street to the,
monument. They were followed by,
the band, and these, in turn, were
followed by the double column of
old Veterans. They wore a smile
and gladness was in their hearts %
they marched to the monument.
Here they were stopped--near the
shaft of granite that rears its head
towards heafen.
Out some SO feet, and just at the
corner OF the court house was the
speakers stand. Seated upon, it
were Col. Asbury Coward, the orator
OF the occasion, Mayor Young, DIR.
and Mrs. B. q. Clifford, Capt. J.
L. Douglass, DR.. A. G. Wardlaw.
Rev. w. B. Justus, Mr.. V. f. De-,
Pass, Rev. A. A. James, Mrs. J. L.,
McWhirter, Mr.. Banks, the State
representative and others.
Mayor Young, who was chairman
OF the assembly, called upon DR.. B..
q. Clifford who led in prayer, after
which the band played Dixie"
At this point in the proceedings
there was a very interesting feature.
Reveille' was sounded, first at one
point, then at another in the vast
host OF people. This was the signal
for the unvciling. Four old Con-
federate soldiers, Messrs. Charncr
Greer, }. &. Shuttlesworth, j. d.
Epps ST., and w. r. Betsill, pulled
the covering away from the granite
shaft, and, 10, thing of beauty
stood before the gazing eyes of thous-
ands. Glistening in the sun, and
proudly lifting its head heavenward
there stood the work of faithful
hands, monument to our Confed
crate soldiers, living and dead. 1t
was an inspiring moment, and a
heart must have been callous and
dead to all high resolve and holv
purpose to be able to look without
feeling the pulse quicken and the
eye kindle with enthusiasm.
Now come the fourteen young
ladies and march around the monu-
ment, wrapping about its base the
garland they carried. Then follow
the school girls and cover its base
with beautiful flowers and ever
green's.
Mayor Young delivered the ad-
dress of welcome. He said:
Hail! Confederate Soldicrs-and
Welcome!
OF all the days that have come
and gone since Appomattox! When
footsore, hungry and heartbroken;
you turned your faces homeward to
sadder hearts-desolated homes and
ruin; this day of all that have gone
before, Is given over to you, by noble
women and noble men and, to your
sad memOries!!
This day is set apart to unveil the
monument they. have erected in
commemoration OF your patriotism,
your manhood and your immortal
fame!
Here it stands, upon the very
apex OF this high hill, pointing to
Heaven!! Standing erect by day,
under the great eye Of God! by night
l.