The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1907-05-16

PENNSYLVANIA farmer during that
invasion:
None who participated in that
struggle could have failed to observe
the unselfsh devotion of the private
soldier. The Generals and line
officers, charged with responsibility
and nerved with ambition, had a
stimulus and hope of reward that
did not often stir the private soldier.
His breast was fired and his arm
nerved by devotion to duty. He
was in many cases better born and
more intelligent than his officers,
yet he was obedient to orders and
marched into the jaws Of death with
a heroism and courage that challeng-
ed the admiration Of the world. He
knew that in the story of the battle
the officers names would be men
toned, and if among the slain, they
would be borne to a well marked
tomb, over which loving hands and
grateful hearts would spread flowers
and shed tears; while over his un-
marked grave most likely the winds
would sing a sad requiem and no
loving hand would plant a single
flower.
THE WOMEN OF THE SOUTH.
No story of our war; no record Of
the gallant defenders of our stainless
banner; no recital of the deeds of
daring and the unselfish sacrifices of
these men would be complete with
out mention of the heroic spirit and
undying devotion of the noble
women of the South. The old
stories of the Roman matrons and
self sacrifices of the Spartan women,
were reproduced in every state, and
nearly every home Of this South
land.
1t would be easy to furnish from
memory of the stirring events
during the war between the States,
incidents that would show the most
exalted patriotism and highest con-
ception Of duty on the part of the
noble women of the South that the
history of any people in any age car
furnish.
We are proud of the fact that
their mantle has fallen upon the
shoulders of the Daughters of the
Confederacy, whose hearts burn to-
day with a love and devotion as pure
and sacred as that of their moth
ers when they sent forth their sons
to battle with the Roman matron's
injunction; or gave their parting kiss
to loved ones, whom they cheerfully
esigned to their country's call.
The unselfsh devotion Of the noble
women of the South upheld and pro
longed the unequal struggle while
their patience and sacrifices at home
rearing their children, and praying
for the absent husband and father
often with no protector save the
faithful slaves who stood guard a
their doors, furnishes the most strik
ing example of love ard devotion
that this world has ever seen
When under the Providence of Goo
our vexed problems are settled, ano
the South comes again to her own
as under the unvarying law Of com
pensation she surely will, another
monument will rise in our Southland
erected by the Sons and Daughter
of the Confederacy. and dedicated
to the noble women of the South.
LAND WITHOUT RUINS.
A land without ruins is a lan(
without memories. A land withou
memories is a land without history
Crowns Of roses fade. Crowns O.
thorns endure. Calvaries and Cru
cifixions take deepest hold of human
ity. The triumphs of might ar
trasient; they pass and are forgotten
The sufferings of right are deepes
on the Chronicles of Nations"
The shadows of the evening ar,
frightening on our pathway. TIL
twilight approaches; for the mos
part you have lived brave lives. Ma,
you die worthy patriots, dear t.
God and famous to all the ages!
Our battle fields are around us
the graves of our dead comrades re
mind us of the sacrifices the South
ern soldiers made for their convic
tons. The evening song Of our de
clining years may find passionat
longing in the plaintive strain of GU
Southern bard:
eyes, give me the land where tn
ruins are spread,
And the living tread light on tn
hearts of the dead;
Yes, give me the land that is bles
by the dust
/
And bright with the deeds of tn
downtrodden just;