Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1909-02-05

spectior, and more fully appreciate
now these sainted women sof lo6l-61.
But from the dream We awake to the
reality that is confronting us. We
are drifting in frail barques, on the
River of Time; we are sailing out onto
the Ocean of Eternity; and yet, and
yet, We donned our suits of gray and
marched away TO battle for Liberty,
Justice and our homes. All hoped to
return in triumph, to lay at the feet
of our dear ones the laurels honestly
won. We took NO care of the morrow.
In our enthusiasm of youth we forgot
the dangers OF war, we heard not the
rustic of the wings of death, we needed
not the voice OF the shell with its at
tendant death. Some who marched
away came back to ruined homes,
some fell in the fray: they are sleep
ing the sleep of the brave meath the
sod, made sacred by their patriotic
blood, and the hearts of our women
were pierced again and again with
sorrows sword, for their loved ones
who never came to cheer and comfort
heir hearts.
More eloquent tongues than mine
have told the story of the daughters of
the war of l66l-65 the worlds poets
have sung the praise OF the Southland 5
women the artist has exhausted the
skill Of his art to paint the grandeur
Of her love yet, Sons and Daughters
OF today, l say to you, no tongue can
tell, no pen describe, no brush paint
the women of lS6l-65, as We the Vet
erans Of the Gray knew them. But the
world accepts our story, imperfect as
we tell it, and joins us in paying hom-
age and tribute TO the fidelity, love
and devotion of the ministering angels
Of the late war.
When wars dread tocsln SCUM led
over our land, and the Confederacy
was born, our women stood sponsors
for the infant Republic 10 be baptized
in blood. and with the moral support
OF our women to back our efforts,
brave hearts Joined issue with the in
yaders of our land. What debt we
owe TO our noble women But, COM
rades, We owe a greater debt TO COD,
for giving Us such women in the days
Of our need. When wars grim har-
vest was done these ministering angels
of the South did not halt in their
works of charity and love. OrganiZ-
ing themselves into bands, they set
about and gathered into cemeteries the
bones Of our beloved dead : they took
upon themselves the education OF the
Confederate soldier orphan children !;
and the gentle hand that had bathed
the fevered brow, and bound up the
wounds of the Confederate soldier.
kept green the sod above the graves OF
our heroic dead.
Daughters of he Confederacy, when
your sainted mothers were called to
rest, they gave into your keeping a
holy trust. Have YOU kept that trsSt u:
You need not answer the question
Let every Confederate soldier who
loves the past, and its glories, answer
for YOU. Out of the Southland comes
to me like the roar Of the ocean the
voice OF the Confederate soldiers,
"Yes, they have kept the trust, and
given proof 10 the world that they are
worthy daughters of peerless mothers. y
One wCrd to my comrades OF the past
and | am done. The numbers of the
men of 1S6l-65 grow less each year 4:
there are but few Of the grand women
Of lS6l-65 left to us they have crossed
over the River, and are residents of
Gods city of rest and love. Com
rades. these noble women loved us in
life. and believe they love US In their
Home of Rest they plead for you and
for me daily at the Throne of Mercy,
let us try and live while on this
march of Life down TO the Ferry that
shall take us over the River into the
Camp OF Gods love, that when the
, order comes to US, Halt" we shall
hear coming out from the pearly gate
of the Eternal City, the voices of the
sainted women Of the war, saying,
| WEARY. tired old Confederate soldier.
thou hast kept the faith unto the end,
| God our Father bids US welcome you
to rest"
To you, Daughters OF the Confed-
eracy of today, let me say, you stand
before the world crowned with glory
aud admiration by all who love cour-
| age and fidelity. Your charity and
love has made you the idol Of the Con
| federate soldier and when you are
called to join your sainted mothers
gone before into the city of Gods love,
NAV your crowns be the brightest,
studded with the purest and brightest
gems of Gods love may your crowns
bear this proud inscription, "Daught'
ers of the COnfederacy, minlstering
angels to the Southland's Veteran
Sons"
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