The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-06-07
THE GIFT Of SOUTHERN WOMEN
To THE SOUTHERN PEOPLE

plaudlts.
The event today was a fitting close
10 what is universally recognized as
probably the last great" gathering
of the confederate veterans. 1t was
the feature that drew many thous-
ands from all sections of the south
who otherwise would not have come.
That sense of loyalty TO their leader Of
nearly half a century ago which viz
tue is SO broad that it takes nothing
from their unstinted allegiance to the
flag of a reunited people was even a
! greater magnet than the old campfire.
The unwilling Of the monument was
the fruition of eighteen years OF
patient and loving effort anc every
man who wore the southern uniform
had in his heart a desire to be present.
Beautiful sentiment was heard Oh
every side and the thanks Of the entirc
south were offered by the orators Of
the occasion to the United Daughters
of the Confeoeracy, whose work it was
that made the Jefferson Davis Monu-
ment Association a success. Of these
expressions Il quotation from the writ
ings of Jefferson Davis himself which
was given in the principal speech by
General Clement A. Evans. of Atlanta,
Ga, evoked the most applause. The
sentiment occurs in the dedication of
the Rise and Fall of the CCnfederacy,
by Mr.. Davis and is ADDRESSED to the
Il w. C1~
as follows:
"TO the Women of the Confedera~
cy, whose ,pious administration to our
wounded soldiers soothed the last
objects OF their tenderest love; whose
domestic Iabors contributed much to
supply the wants of our defenders in
the field whose jealous faith in our
cause shown a guiding star undimmed
by the darkest clouds of war; whose
fortitude sustained them under all the
privations to which they were sub
jected; whose annual tribute expresses
their enduring grief, love and rever-
ence for our sacred dead, and whose
patriotism will teach their children to
emulate the deeds of our revolutionary
sires."
The grand parade to the unwilling
started at 1870 o'clock. The military
feature was similar to the parade on
the first day of the reunion when the
statue of Major General J. e. B. Stuart
was unveiled but there were far more
veterans in the gray line. They ap-
peared to have been saving their
strength for this event and although
the walking was bad, none who could
walk at all shirked the duty. Arrange
ments had been made to conserve the
strength of the old men. in that the
confederate veterans were formed in
opened rank within one mile of 1he
statue bnt modern military orgariza-
tons marched through in review to be
followed by the veterans, the carriage
contingent and auxiliary orders. This
entailed no long march for the veter-
II and avoided all countermarchiIs
in the parade formation. The grand
procession was under command of
| General Stith Boiling of Petersburg,
| Va, as chief marshal.
Along the line of march a dense
crowd lined the streets, the windows
| were filled and many of the housetops
! covered with cheering and singing
! groups. Flags were waved in beating
time to stirring confederate airs. III
the great concourse of veterans Or
CARNATIONS which proceeded in per-
| feet order, was a constant succession
of bands and fife and drum corps.
!; Following the veteran section Of the
parade came the carriage division, car
! rying many of the women to whom the
!! confederate soldiers owe nearly every
J memorial which has been erected in
honor of the heroes of the confederacy.
That the south appreciates what the
WOmen have done was attested by the
cheering which greeted their process
sion.
A beautiful young Woman in white,
Miss Roberta Caldwell, attracted ad-
miration at the head of Troop A, of
Nashville, Tenn. about forty gray uni
formed old men with sabres. Miss
Caldwell carried a confederate battle
flag. There were many other interest
ing features of the parade outside the
appearance of the veteran bodies.
Among these were the sponsors from
the various confederate states, attend
ed by scores of maids of honor. These
attractive young women in white.
wearing sashes of red, rode in car
riages. and lent a charming addition
to the long line of gray.
On the line of march were the stat
ues of Generals Lee and Stuart. The
military saluted, the crowds cheered