The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-05-18
to be the pas..si9gsa4tie 1taieHihassx0sa has

ing disregard of the foundation principle. of it's own
|~existance, as affirmed IN the Declaration of 1ndepen-
|dence, that governments derive their just powers from
the consent of the governed" And Judge Black an
other northern writer says of the abolitionists: They
applauded John Brown to the echo for a series of the
basest murders on record. They even now say of
him that he has sanctifed the gallows even as our
Saviour has sanctihed the Cross.
The above quotations are strong but they aretahe
language of Northern men who were in a position to
know the truth and brave enough to declare it.
We have no desire to harbor resentment against
the North or to cherish recollections of the unjust
treatment accorded to our people. But we have a
right and it is our sacred duty to teach our children
and our childrens children the truth of history,
teaching them at the same time that the questions
that divided our people are forever settled; and, that
though our fathers were not. successful in the arbi-
trament, they need not be ashamed of the part. they
took in settling those questions; that the. battlefield
is not the forum where succeas decides the right.
that its jurisdiction is limited TO the effect of strategy
and the power of understanding them that our
cause was just and that .r - -
"The world will yet decide = =: . 8
In truths clear far off light :: -,
That the men who followed Lee and died
Were in the right"
In conclusion let me add that in speaking of the
heroism of the past the deeds of the women of the
Confederacy must be included, 1t has ever been
woman's glory to steady mans faltering foot steps
and bind up his wounds, and, when pain and an
guish have wrung his brow she has ever been to him
a ministering angel. She was first at the Cross and
last at the grave. 49, < RS d
Nr---.- l.. - L.k.~. -. A:s.S.-
been better illustrated than'during and after the Civil
war. History records no moro beautiful or more pa
thetic scenes than those enacted by our Southern
women. We read in history of the Spartan mothers
who bade their sons 90 forth to battle and return with
their shields or on them. But where in all history
may we find such self sacrificing heroism as that of
our Southern women who encouraged and cheered
the southern soldier as he went unfalteringly to his
almost certain death1 "The maiden fair smiled not
upon the gallant who skulked at home; but with her
his name was a Kissing anda reproach"..
And now since the, white winged messenger of
peace again hovers over our once desolated South
land she continues to carry out her glorious ministry
and with zeal and Infection she ~decorates the graves
of our dead heroes, keeps their memoaiest green in
the hearts and minds of the rising generation, and
sees to it that cat home they are not forgotten. ~
Ladies go on with your self imposed task. Con
tinue to strew roses in the pathway and Tighten the
burdens of the few old heroes who abide with us, for
soon, too soon, the few remaining will have gone to
jein their comrades who have preceded them. The
thin gray line Crews thinner with each succeeding
day. Each year Father Time exacts of it; a heavy
toll; soon, too 500, there'll be none to answer,@3erel
Let US continue to honor ourselves by thus honor
ing our noble dead and the cause in which they died;
the world will think better of us for so doing; and
when we depart from this placelet the hearts of all
unite in the benediction: 49,. .. ~ ;.s:..
crest on embalmed and sainted dead -
Dear as the blood you gave; -. q e."
No impious footsteps here shall tread. ,r>..
The heritage of your grave.
Nor shall your glory be forgot
While fame her record keeps, -. 49, ~
And honor points 10 the hallowed spot ~.
Where valor proudly sleeps"
And let US continue to e.. - >.' -
'Bring roses, jasmine, fragrant blossom fair,
And place them DER the hearts so still and
cold ..>
And let this day be named fore'er and e'er
Loves tribute to the Southland's warrior
dead"
Ra