The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1910-09-08

to be commemorated, as is tn,
circulation of blood through tn,
. arteries and veins to animal life
Therefore, until death claims tn,
last name on our muster-roll
these annual reunions of the sur
vivors should continue to be OBJ
served.
/ Besides giving occasion for re-
viving cherished memories, moth
ing conduces more to the spirit
patriotism than recurring gath
erings of the participants in he
roic scenes there to be recalled.
I! We are told that when Robert
Bruce, hero of Bannocburn, died,
his heart was embalmed and
placed in a silver casket and en-
trusted to Sir James Douglas to
be carried to Palestine and buried
| in Jerusalem. Douglass was
killed fighting against the Moors
in Spain. But before falling he
loosed the casket from about his
neck, and throwing it amid his
| fierce assailants, exclaimed;
And thou, brave heart of
Bruce, go first in fight as thou
vast want, and Douglass will
follow thee and die.''
The sacred relic of Bruce to-
gether with the body of its de-
voted champion being recoverd
by its friends, was subsequent
ly conveyed to Scotland,
and amid the acclaim of a nation
buried at beautiful Melrose; and
where they have since reposed
under the watchful and patriotic
guardianship of the people they
had served so faithfully and well.
So, when hard pressed in the
conflicts of life, the sons and
daughters of the Confederate Vet
Grams will hold before them the
heroism of their noble sires, and
follow, and if need be, die for the
right.
When in June, 1900, Latour
D'Auvergne, known as ''The First
Grenadier Of France" was killed
in the forefront of battle, Napo-
leon, who witnessed his heroic
death, ordered that at the daily
roll-call of his regiment the rank
ing sergeant should step forward,
and saluting the commanding Off
Ger, say in a loud voice:
Dead on the field of battle"
Later, in 1879, during a sea fight
between the Chilean and Peruvian
navies, Admiral Miguel Graw was
killed at his post in the coming
tower of his battleship, his vessel
was disabled and captured, and
only fifty of his crew came out of
the engagement unhurt. To this
day, at every general muster of a
Peruvian army division, and at |
every monthly inspection on the
ships comprising its fleet, the
name of Graw is the first to be
heard in the roll-call. 1t is then
that an officer steps forward,
lifts his hat, points upward, and
answers: Absent, but accounted
for. He is with the heroes"
And SO methinks, that when the
names of Davis, Lee, jackson, the
Johnstons, and the host of others
who fell following them, are called
on high, their guardian angels will
Present and accounted
for. They are among the immor-
tails"
In conclusion 1T is not amlSS to
say that this Southland of ours,
though once the Niobe of nations,
Dathed in tears and isolated in her
lnspeakable grief, is Niobe no
onger. Rather, she is the noble
Cornelia, mother of the Graccie,
pointing with just exultation to
her triumphant sons, conquering
all foes and trampling under foot
every barrier in her progress.
Still, it is true, and ever will be,
that she is Rachael inconsolablo at
The loss of her truest and bravc3t
because they are not;
put she is also the brave mother,
pure and still more refined by the
tires through whichshe has passed
encouraging her sons who are left
to as great achievements in peace
n xxrov-r, xxrnvr IN