Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-06-10
Why SOUTH FOUGHT CIVIL VAR
Took Up Sword and Gun Because
Country Was Being Invaded and Be-
cause Heart Was Throbbing for
Observation-Disclosures Be,
hind Him. -.-


all hearts was the reading to the
Confederate veterans in reunion al
Birmingham today of the address pre-
pared by General Stephen ID. Lee
grand commander of the grand camp
prepared by himself few days be
ed on this occasion.
The address follows:
1T is now fourteen years since the
COnfedt rate Veterans enjoyed the hos
pitality Of this magic city. We re-
member gratefully the courtesy OF oar
former unsurpassed welcome. but to-
day we are ready to believe that Biz
mingham can surpass itself. Then
there was with us the Incompatible
Gordon. soldier. statesman and orator
who along with the valOrols Long
street and the gallant Wheeler were
Alabama Paladins in the armies OF
the Confederacy. 1t was from Alaba
ma that Yancey's voice, like a silver
trumpet, called the South to arms.
with an elOquenee more potent than
Clan-AlpineS' fiery cross. Alabama
was the cradle of the Confederacy.
Here was installed the Provisional
Government of the new nation. and
here her illustrious chief took the oath
OF office which no man lat himself
should ever take. And from Alabama
came the great admiral who fioated
the stars and bars upon every sea.
and sipgle-handed swept the nations
commerce from the waves.
Since the war. I have heard many
addresses to Confederate Veterans.
Our orators have been rich in argu-
ments to demonstrate the correctness
of states rights views. and the sound
ness OF the Interpretation of the con-
stitution held by Southern statesmen.
They have displayed the firm historic
zbasis for political faith. They have
spoken in comforting words OF unex.
pected baneficent results OF the war.
OF the preservation OF the rights OF
the states in the Union. CT the dis
cipline of adversely which prepared us
to meet the terrible race problem with
unflinching courage. indefatisable pa
tience and united strength. They have
taught, us that the Lost Cause was
not wholly 1851. that the best fruits
of the great conflict came to the
South, when the master was freed
from the slave. and the old ice-b: rigs
q sectional hate were set adrift in
the warm gulf-stream of a new ma
tional patriotism. $50
Why Confederates Went into Battle.
Nevertheless it has not seemed
Lo h. 70
federate soldier went into battle to
yindicate a constitutional argument.
He went to war because he loved his
people; because his country was in
yaded: because his heart was thrcb-
bling for his hearth stone. Here was
the land which gave him birth Here
. was the church spire where he had
learned it was not all of life to live.
or all Of death to die. No hostile foot
shall ever tread this cOnsecrated
ground except over his dead body. II
was The prospect Of invasion that
made the border states with biz eding
hearts try to east their lot with the
Confederacy. He who could have ex-
pecr~d a Lee to do tattle against Vir-
eipia. or q Hampton TO draw his
swored against South Carolina, has
never learned the language Of the hu-
man heart. Nothing Int .he most de-
voted love Of country could ever have
sustained the Confederate soldier In
his unequal and terrible struggle.
Greatest Reward rf confederstes.
Neither do pconsider II necessary
to find a reward for the Confederate
soldier In unexpected good results OF
the great conflict The reward Of no
BILE actions lies In the capacity to do
them. The Confederate soldier who
fought with unflinching courage had
the reward 81 being brave man. Ne
who loved his country had the reward
of being a true patriot. He who fac
ed the lannon's mouth for those he
lived dearer than life had the reward
G: being a hero. He who was faitefu.
unto death had the reward Of stain,
less honor. Wha: ether course could
q Southerner have taken?
"Behind him were the great fradi'
tiops o. his English race-;here were
Hastings aud Greasy and As:ncourt
there were Naseby. Blenheim and
Quebec. there were Kings Mountain
and Valley Forge In his veins now.
o. the blood 81 Thousand years ~
ch;yalrv.y He could face the line Of
IRE. bot net the shame Of standing
back.
"'Au merit comes
Prom facing the unequal:
-.Au glory comes from daring IN BE-
gin.
Fame loves The state
THAT reckless OF the sequel.
Flights long and well. whether u
lose or win
III 10 might be imagined said so
neca. that the Almighty should take
OF his Thought from the care OF his
Whole work. what more glorious spec
;acIs could h. reflect upoa than q
valiant man struggling with 7adscrss
fnrsuoo'