The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1908-04-29
ADDRESS OF col JNo. M. MARTIN
At the Unwilling of the Confederate
Monument Saturday. April IS


Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen:
This is an occasion for sorrow, as
we'll as rejoicing. For sorrow be-
cause memory recalls the friends of
cur younger years. who are now gone
For rejoicing because they have left
behind them heritage to their coun-
try and children that must and ever
will be cherished Few. very few of
us are left who witnessed upon this
square. and around the old court
house, the enthusiastic response from
every home and hamlet, to the call
of what they believed TO be their duty.
Mothers. with hearts broken, babe
farewell TO sons; wives kissed. per-
haps for the last time. devoted hus-
bands, and maidens. with sorrowiIfg,
fearful eyes. cheered brothers on to
the scenes Of conflict. not as rebels
but as patriots in defense of prnci-
pies dear and sacret to them.
1T is not our purpose to discuss the
cause of the fateful struggle of 61 to
IS. for the gentlemen who have pre-
coded me have eloquently told the
story. Southern historians and states
men have recorded the justice of our
plea. Nat generations to come may
know: Vbut we will say that whatever
may have been the sacrifice. whatever
may have been the criticisms of those
who differed with us. we have no
apology to offer. for the spirit which
inspired the fathers Of &c inspired
their daughters and sons of our Con-
federacy. From the Potomac to the
Rio Grande, from Florida to Ken
lucky. And upon the rugged heights of
Gettysburg. the blood of Our comrades
has been shed to vindicate our rights
as We saw them, under, the constitu-
ton begueathed to us by Washington
and Jefferson
With pride we affectionately honor
those officers whose deeds of valor
have commanded the praise and ad-
II iratiOn of | their countrymen and
whose achievements have been in
scribed perhaps upon the pages of his
tory. Upon their graves. in love, we
would place garlands of purest flow
ers; but We must not forget the pri-
waite Soldier-the ! Sentinel-with no
insignia but his musket and cartridge
box. with raiment tattered, with shoes
worn. without shelter or cover at
night, upon the lonely. freezing picket
line he stood watching. listening,
guarding. Shall 1. can 1. tell you of
his suffering, of his fidelity to duty !?
&C trace his marches all over Vir-
ginia. through Tennessee Georgia, and
east and west. you will pass over hum
Yell once was heard. and where many
Confederate soldiers breathed their
last in the discharge Of their duty.
My friends. while we cannot, or have
our childrens children forget those
memorable years, we Ireoice that our
once disrupted country is again unit
ed. and that sectional hatred has
passed away. Permit us. in behalf of
its few surviving veterans. and We be-
- a. 80 IL,
are gone, were they living. to urge our
children to be faithful to our reunited
country. and let nome excel in loyal
citizenship Guard as best you can
your constitutional rights, labor to de-
yelOp our resources, till with care and
energy our fertile soil, educate your
children. and soon. very soon. our
south will be in her former glory, and
those who saw her poverty a few
years ago will wonder at her prosper
ity.
Beloved president and United
Daughters of Dickson Chapter, am
commissioned by the Confederate Vet
Grams of Camp No. Sc. to deliver to
you MESA ges of love and alteration
and to tell you throughout the vicissi-
tudes of those trying, years, none were
entitled to more honor and gratitude
tnan yourselves. At your shrine these
gray haired soldiers beg to offer dear
memories.
When the tocsip Of war was first
sounded, despite your tender natures,
you rallied as one to the support of
our southern cause. With your skill
full hands you fashioned beautiful ban
ners and inscribed upon them inspir-
ing sentiments, You were ever ready
TO aid in the preparation of the de-
parting boys in gray. and sang Dixie
AS they left for battle. Day by day
the sad news of the death of a loved
but you never faltered. To the sick
and hungry your doors were always
open, and under your shelter he was
blessed with your womanly hospital
ity. You knitted socks for his, frozen
feet: you wove clpth to warm his
body, and gave blankets to the needy,
trusting TO the God of battles that our
Confederacy would live. But the fat
ed day came, and your hopes were
dashed. Though vanquished. you have
ever striven to preserve the heroic
deeds of the Confederate soldier. Year
after year you have observed memo
rial day and placed upon his grave
wreaths to honor his memory. You
have given him the Confederate cross
OF honor and as one after another dies
You follow him to his last resting
place. Pardon reference to few days
ago, when we had assembled to pay
tribute to a deceased and brave COM
rade, our hearts were filled with VEN
Grafton when we saw you. led by your
gifted and honored president, bearing
emblems of love to the tomb of that
gallant old soldier. And now, you have
erected that enduring shaft of gran
lite and caused to be placed upon its
apex that artistically chiseled marble
statue of the Confederate sentinel,
with fitting and appropriate inscrip-
tion RI fell those who will hereafter