The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1909-04-30

the rattle of muSketry, which an
nounced to a listening world ne be-
ginning Of the blooGiest and most des-
perately fought war o modern times.
With no arsenals, no vessels of war.
no army, no navy, practically no mu-
nitiOns of war and no credit among
other nations. the Confederacy began
her stormy and shIrt-lived career I'M
der most unfavorable circumstances
and yet, with all the disadvantages
with which the young nation was
hedged about, and nothing to rely on
save the matchless courage of her
sons, the superb generalship of her
military chieftains. and the heaven
born faith and Spartan devotion of
her glorious women. she fought the
whole world for four long years,
emerging from the conflict without
single stain upon her record, and con-
hdently challenging the judgment of
posterity, both as to the rectitude of
her intentions and the justice of her
cause.
Constitutional government in Amer
lea was almost destroyed as a result
Of the war between the states, but the
Confederate soldier, with the same in
domitable will and intrepid bravery
which ever characterized him. return
ed to his desolate and pillaged home
and Immediately set himself to the
stupendous task of rehabilitating his
beloved southland. Here he was met
with dangers more terrible and condi-
lions more frightful than actual war
His land made desolate with the torch
and sword Of the invader: every
household wrapped in the sable gar
ments of mourning: himself disfran-
chised, while his former slaves, under
the guidance of carpet-bag adventur-
ers. held high carnival Of crime in ev-
cry county court house and state cap
itol in these proud but PROSTATE states.
In stricteSt reverence let me say that
the era of reconstruction was the ag-
onizing. heart breaking Gethsemane
for the south. There was never the /
slightest justification for pressing this
bitter cup To the lips OF our helpless |
people. but in the providence of God /
we finally came forth from the will
derness of negro domination and car
pet-bag misrule into the clear, open
plain of white supremacy. Our peo-
pie came into their own again. to keep
and preserve it forever and forever.
While We have passed under the
christening rod Of affliction" in war
and in reconstruction. the end is not
yet. If we would be worthy of the
legacy left us by the gal
liant soldiers Of the Confederacy wei
must be vigilant in guarding the in
tegrity OF our race and active in COM
batting the teachings Of false prophets,
which tend to wean us from the
faith Of the fathers" These men.
whose ranks are growing so thin and
chapter in all the history of human
sacrifice. have finished their work and
the problems of the future fall from e
their nervelesS grasp into our keep J
ing. How shall we discharge this sa- Z
red trust? Constitutional government :
must be preserved else the republie it 7
self will perish from the earth: the 4
autonomy of the different states must
remain intact. else the precious boon
IF local self government will be lost
10 US. and every departure from the
established order of government which i
ends to the elevation of any inferior |,
ace in this country to either social or !,
political equality with us must be :
'ombated to the last, else the integrity :
# the Caucasian race will be seriously n
mperiled. The negro and the Mon
yoiian have their places in the econ "
my Of the universe. but i'm the name
# our sacred dead. in the name of
hose left among us and who compose
l..
Mothers and the daughters of the Con- =
ederacy-the noblest. the purest. the -
most beautiful and most patriotic wo- {
men with whom God has ever blessed "
he earth-and in behalf Of our pos Z
Gritty. I deny that they are entitled l
nder any law. divine or national To n
'wen on terms of equality with the C
descendants of the cavaliers i'm this g
ODDLY land Of our inheritance. e
To those present who wore the eray. :,
Fl me say. God bless you. Most Of Il
our comrades have crossed over the "
iver." and NOW rest under the shade l
T the trees" You are fastening toi
DIN them. 7 know that after your
ears af struggle and unceasing. pa
riouc toll YOU must look forward =
nth happy anticipation To the grand
e-union over there. What a glorious 8