The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-11-17

( S&ON A0C@NA W8SV@1o AA8s
Once more Montgomery. Capital Of
the state. and Of the confederacy for
a time. has the privilege ana honor
Of welcoming the representatives OF
that magnificent soldiery whose cour-
age. patriotism and devotion began
almost half century ago to make
glorious history. In this city, which
Witnessed the birth OF young Re-
public, the doors stand ever open to
welcome those who may attend the
annual reunion. Here. where the slo-
rious Stars and Bars were first flung
to the bright sun and the soft South
ern breeze those flags will again
wave as remembrance Of what they
once typified to the world.
They are becoming fewer in num-
Der, these representatives OF the Lost
Cause. Year by year. day BIZ day.
they are falling out of the ranks to
answer the higher call which none
may disregard. At every call OF the
company rolls there will be many Pc
RODS OF silence as names are call ID
Of those who have crossed over the
great River Of Death. They are fall
Ing like the autumn leaves before the
chilling blasts Of winter. passing to
their reward willis their faithful COM
rades mourn their departure and hon.
or their memories.
They are growing pitifuly few.
these old lwearers of the gray. OF
that mighty host OF enthusiastic pa
triots who left homes and firesides
and loved ones when duty CO He'd, but
a comparatively few remain. And
they are growing aged and gray be-
meath the years that have passed
since they fought the battle of the
young Nation. Their Footsteps are
feeble and tottering. In many In
stances. There are yet among them
some who stand as erect, walk az
firmly and bear themselves as SOL
dieriy as they did In the past. but
they are but small per cent OF the
survivors. For the most part they
walk more slowly. stand less erect.
and find 1t more difficult to keep time
in the march or hold their places In
the ranks at review.
But neither age nor fesbiensss nor
poverty can take from these old veter-
ans the honorable pride they feel for
the service they performed and the
cause they served SO nobly They
may not, all OF them. be able to keep
step. but they win be here to meet
old comrades and once more show by
their presence that they continue
faithful TO their past record. There
will be much gladness when COM
rade takes the hand Of comrade, and
their eyes will brighten ana the laugh
will echo as they recall and recount
some incidents and episodes of the
SOS. And there will be sadness as
one after another viii ask about some
he met at the last reunion ana be
told that they have passed to the be-
yond.
But though their ranks may be
thinnsd and their numbers small. they
are welcome ana WIN be honored.
Some of them win come here at great
personal sacrifice. Age and wounds
and disease, and poverty In some
cases. renders it little less than a sac
rifice to come to these annual meet
inss. and to do their part in keeping
up the traditions and memories of the
Confederacy. Whether they are
strong or decrepit. rich or poor, they
are welcome to Montgomery. Let the
old city and its people make It pleas
ant for the gray heroes, ana let them
depart with full knowledge that they
have been among those who love and
honor them for themselves and for