The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-14
lnfreViOe Scene At Obeuing Sesn0n Of 7he
 Alabama Di0niou, Daughte,y Of 7he C0ntSdeyacy


 stitution of the Alabama Divislon United Daughters of the Confederacy, which was striking feature of the opening session of the convention. This ritualistic cere- mony embodied all the ideals that hold together this organization it's charita- ble, historical and memorial objects, and it's preservation of national spots 1t en- phasized the end as endeavoring to draw into closer bonds of friendship all of it's members, and, by unity of action to ac- complish better results in the commence ration of the heroic deeds of our South- ern dead; to perform the sacred duties of charity to the needy soldiers of the Lost | Cause and their families. To unite with the Confederate veterans in obtaining an impartial history of the struggle, that the children of our Southland may be taught to reverence the brave men of their own families who laid down their lives in de- fense of the purest principles of patriot
 ism in 1S61-65
 The principal feature of the morning | session was the presentation of a hand some silk flag, the gift of Pelham chapter to the Alabama division This part of the programme came entirely as a surprise | to ehS NiSillHS uduSnIerS. l The pretty ceremony of presenting if | called forth enthusiastic applause. There was brilliant assembly in the flag-deck- ed interior. The Confederate colors draped pilasters and hung as a frieze A portrait of the president of the Confeder- ate States occupied the place of honor. Grouped with the daughters on the stage were the men who wore the gray. Mrs. | J. A. Rountree who was selected to pre- sent flag tn ha nf 1aa | flag -draped stage. She held a magnificent Confederate flag, whose silken folds were unfurled. In original verse she presented the flag to the division, frequently inter- rupted by applause, the whole scene deep- ly impressive, scene that brought back memories with every mention of the Stars and Bars and that moved the daughters to tears, to applause to renewed loyalty to their beloved cause.
 Mrs. B. B. Ross of Auburn, the vice. president of the Alabama division, ac- cepted the flag. She said, in part
 'ro be selected by your president, Mrs. Charles Brown, to speak for the Confed- crate Daughters of Alabama, to express the appreciation of more than twenty seven hundred earnest, loyal hearted wo- men for the beautiful gift to the division from the daughters of Pelham chapter, is an honor to be highly prized and greatly appreciated.
 "On behalf of our noble state organiza- tion the Alabama division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, I accept this lovely silken flag, emblematic of the deathless devotion of fathers to the right, of the unparalleled faith and sac rifice of mothers, left alone in their inherited plantation homes where refine- ment and culture, truth and love. had l made the simple ante-bellum life beau tiful.
 This priceless gift will no doubt prove an incentive to greater achievements and nober sacrifices for our loved cause; to more loyal devotion to the interests of this great order of southern womanhood.
 From year to year as we assemble in convention and the folds of this treas ured flag are unfurled, we will return in memory to the convention of 1908, and will delight to recall this splendid oc- casion, the hospitality of the Magic City" Greater Birmingham, the second | city in our fair southern country, Att 1 lanta to the contrary notwithstanding, and linked in precious memory with this presenta ton ceremony will be the unvary- | ing courteses of the hostess chapter. And as we gaze further from time to time upon this splendid emblem we will | be reminded of the words of our own Paul | Hamilton Hayne, and know that
 '"'Faith lent our cause It's heavenly con- secration,
 Hope it's omnipotent might,
 And fame stood ready with her flowers of
 light
 To crown alike the living and the dead, While in the broadening Armament o'er- head,
 We seem to read the fiat of our fate: Ye are baptized-a nation! Amongst the freest, free; Amongst the mightiest, great
 "I therefore, in the name of the Ala bama division of the U. D. G., accept this gift from the Daughters of Pelham chapter as token of their devotion to the, cause so dear to all true southern women'
 The opening session of the twelfth an- nual convention of the Alabama division, United Daughters of the Confederacy, held yesterday morning in the council chamber of the city hall. was filled with interesting features
 Mrs. Charles G. Brown. president of the division called the convention to order. The Rev Dr. L. S. Handley gave the in- vocation, there was song by the Chil- dren of the Confederacy. the usual ad- dresses of welcome on behalf of the city. the Confederate Veterans and the Daugh- ters Tn the absence of the Mayor. MT. John c. Forney welcomed the division; Capt. A. c. Oxford for Camp Hardee and Mrs. c. M. Tardy, president or Pelham chapter welcomed the Daughters in be- half of the hostess chapter. Miss Mary Kirkpatrick of Montgomery responded for the division.
 C. P Jones. representing Camp Morgan Pettus and Camp Clayton. Sons of Veter- ans, delivered an inspiring address of welcome to the Daughters on behalf of the organize tions he represented. The following was the address of welcome by Mrs. c. M. Tardy, president of Pelham chapter:
 Madame President and Ladies of the Convention; I greet you.
 Some years ago, while attending the general convention of the Daughters of the Confederacy in Gulfport I hal the privilege of visiting the Soldiers Home at Beauvoir. 1 inquired if there were any Alabamians In the home, and an erect. soldierly old man came for ward The silver in his hair gleamed only second to the smile upon his face. He seized both my hands in his and shook them up and down in the cara estness of his greeting. My own mother would not be more welcome. I feel like you was all my sisters. love you so-and I'm just that glad to see you, Daughters"
 The words, straight from his heart. found an echo in my own, and I give them back to you.< I'm that glad to see you here, Daughters. l love you so."
 Our esteemed Mayor has thrown wide open the gates of our city to welcome yOur coming. He knows a