The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-07-24
UNITED SONS OF CONFED-
ERATE VETERANS.
Headquarters
South Carolina Division.
Lexington, S. G.

Lexington, >. u.
To the Sons of Confederate Veterans:
Gu.Mi".ies 80;
ape erial committee, appointed by the
South Carolina Division United Sons
of Confederate Veterans, which was
held in Columbia, June 3rd, the un-
dersigned were appointed a sub-com-
mittee to prepare an address to those
in South Carolina who have the
right to join the organization known
as United Sons of Confederate Vet
erans."
All male persons are eligible to
membership in this Order, who are
themselves of good moral character,
and who are the direct descendants
of men who were regularly enrolled
in the Army or the Navy of the Con-
federate States of America, and who
were killed or died in the service, or
were honorably discharged there
from, or who served to the end OF
the war.
It seems that it should not be ne
cessary to urge upon one, whose an
cestors had a part IN the glorious
record for courage, endurance and
patriotic devotion to duty made by
the soldiers and sailors Of the Con-
federacy, the duty to join an organl-
zation designed to perpetuate the
story Of their heroic deeds, and to
preserve for the future historian the
information upon which shall be pre-
dicated truthful history Of the mo-
tives which led them to war, and OF
their conduct in the prosecution OF
that war. The Society of Cincinna-
ii, the Sons of the Revolution, the
Aztec Club, and similar organizations
are designed to perpetuate the mem
ory of those who served their country
lin the causeof freedom, and the main
tenance of the honor and integrity of
the government. Membership in
these organizations has come to be
badge of honor, much sought after
by those entitled to it. The day will
come! Aye! it has already come
when to be known as son OF Con-
federate Veteran is a distinction
which brings the proud blood to the
cheeks of him who may claim 1t. AS
the years 60 by and the world knows
more and more of the marvellous
history Of the greatest armies that
ever fought under any banner, this
distinction becomes more and more
honorable. Is it not then a simple
duty of those who inherit the fame
of the Confederate Soldier to take
all necessary steps to perpetuate that
fame, and to do honor to his name?
1t has been determined to organize
a central camp, to be J known as
Camp South Carolina, United Sons
of Confederate Veterans, so that
those who live in communities where
no local camps are established may
ioin this general camp. Indeed
any one may join it. 1t is desired
that there shall be general reVlVa
of interest in this Order and that al
the reunion which is to be held II
Greenville, August Sth., there shall
be great gathering of the Sons Of
Veterans. To this end, we earnestly
urge the organization Of local camps
and the Reorganization of those
which have been allowed to fall into
a condition of dis-organization. Il
it be impossible to organize or re
organize these camps, then let al
Sons of Veterans join the centra
above all, let there be a great out
pouring Of the Sons Of Veterans a
Greenvile, whether they be members
of any camp or not.
| Comrades, shall we call in vain
Shall we appeal In vain to your pride
of ancestry? To the veneration fo
your forefathers? To your admira
ton for courage. fortitude and de
votion to duty? Are you unmind
full of the wonderful heritage Of hon
ior and glory which is yours, and ART
you unmindful of the sumlimity o
the duty which devolves upon 20,
to perpetuate the fame of those wht
won this undying honor? We dt
not believe it. We have faith tina
the spirit which made your sires illu
strious as patriotic soldiers, as hero
| Ies, burns and lives in your breast!
and will manifest itself in the deter
mination to do the duty which lie
before you. Let us all meet a
Greenville, August 8th, 1908, prepar
ed in spirit and in enthusiasm tt
put our organization upon the high
est plan of usefulness and efficiency
Sincerely yours,
M. l.. Bonham,
M. L. Smith,
Hugh R. Murcheson,
George Bell Zimmerman