The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-06-10

BIRMINGHAM, ALA, June 9.-An
Interesting feature OF the opening day
of the Confederate Reunion was the
circulation of the address prepared by
General Lee just before his recen,
death. 1t was as follows:
! 1t is now fourteen years since the
! Confederate veterans enjoyed the hospI-
tally of this magic city. we remember
| gratefully the courtesy Of our former
unsurpassed welcome, but to-day we are
| ready to believe that Birmingham can
surpass itself. Then there was with us
the incompatible Gordon. soldier. states
man and orator, who along with the
Naorous Longstreet and the gallant
Wheeler We're Alabama's Paladins in the
armies of the Confederacy. 1t was from
Alabama that Yancey's voice, like a
silver trumpet, called the South to arms,
with an eloquence more potent than Clan
4Alpine's fiery cross. Alabama was the
cradle OF the Confedcracy. Here was
Installed the provisional government Of
the new nation, and here her ilustrlous
chief. took the oath of office which no
man but himself should ever take. And
from Alabama came the great admiral
who toated the stars and bars upon
every sea. and single-handed swept tho
nations commerce from the waves
Since the war have heard many adj
dresses to Confederate veterans. Our
orators have been rich in arguments
TO demonstrate the correctness of States
rights views. and the soundness Of the
Interpretation of the constitution held
by Southern statesmen. They have dis
played the firm historic basis OF our po-
.litical faith. They nave spoken in com
forting words of unexpected bencticent
results Of the war, of the preservation
OF the rights of the States in the Union,
OF the discipline of adversely which pre-
pared us to meet the terrible race prob.
lem with untlincling coudage, indefati-
gable patience and united strength They
have tauSht US that the Lost Cause was
not wholly lost that the best fruits OF
the great conflict came to the South, when
the master was freed from the slave, and
the old icebergs OF sectional hate were
set adrift in the warm gulf stream Of
u new national patriotism
Nevertheless, 1t has not seemed tile
whole truth to me that the Confederate
soldier went into battle to yindicate n
constitutional argument Flo went to war
because lie loved his people. because
his country was invaded: because his
heart was throbbins for his hearthstone.
Here wassthe land which gave him birth
Here was the church spire where he had
learned it was not all OF life to live; or
al Of death to die. 40 hostile foot Shall
ever tread this consecra:ed ground ex-y
cept over his dead body. 1t was the
prospect of invasion that made the bor-
der States with bleeding hearts try to
cast their lot with the tGonfederncy He
who could have expected Lee to do
battle against Virginia, or n Hampton 10
draw his sword against South Carolina.
has never learned the language OF the
NntT ,It,,, I, -
Voted love of country could ever have
sustained the Confederate soldier III his
unequal and terrible struggle. &
T Neither do ] consider, it necessary to
lind Il reward for the Confederate soldier
IN unexpected good results OF the great
conflict The reward of noble actions
lies IN the capacity to do them. The
Confederate soldier who fought with un-
courage had the reward OF he
ing brave man. He who loved his
country had the reward of being Il true
patriot, He who faced the eannon's
mouth for those he loved dearer than life
had the reward of being, Il hero, ne
Who WAS faithful unto death had tho
reward of q stainless honor What other
course could a Southerner have taken!
Behind him We're the great traditions
OF his English race; there We're Hastings
ana Greasy and Asincourt, there We're
sNaseby, Rlenheim and Quebec there We're
kings Mountain and Valley Forge. In
his Veins flowed the blood Of thousand
years OF chiyalry. lie could face the