The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1910-09-24
PRAISES THEM HIGHLY
NO Drawer TROOPS WE'RE Ev-
Err MARSHALLED FOR
Conflict Than Southern Soldiers,
Saws Commander Samuel r. Van
SAINT to Union Veterans

With a fine tribute to the soldiers
OF the Confederacy, Commander-in-
Chief Samuel R. Van SAINT, OF Mime
sofa Thursday formally opened the
business session of the national en-
campment Of the Grand Army Of the
Republic at Atlantic City, N. J. The
commander, spoke earnestly as he
expressed his qualification at the In
creasing determination of the blue
and "gray."
When he said that no Drawer
troops were ever marshalled for con-
fict than the Southern soldiers, and
that the Union veterans now real
ize that no men ever made greater
sacrifices for what they believed to
be right than. their former foes, the
commander was applauded.
The Commander-in-Chief express
ed himself as particularly gra:ified
at the increasing determination Of
the "Blue and the Gray" He voiced
his pleasure at the cordial reception
given him during his recent official
visit to the Southern Departments,
not only from the former Union SOL
diers, but from ex-Confederates.
In all cities, when possible, he
said, "I urged joint meetings of the
Blue and the Gray. We had many
gatherings of this character, and no
more loyal and patriotic sentiments
were ever uttered than by the men
who fought on the other side
care you not pleased to learn that
our comrades are living in peace and
harmony with our late enemies? This
is as it, should be. Both armies
were composed of brave men, d. j
they should and do mutually respect
each other. We Of the North can
testify that no braver troops were
ever marshalled for conflict than our
late enemies-and we now. realize
that mo men ever made, greater sac
rifices for what they believed to be
right than our former foes.
Comrades, we were the eYt:tors,
and we can afford to be ~ 'gnani-
nous to our foes. 1t is. easy for the
victor. to forgive, but when the van'
quished absolves himself from all bit
terness- he has truly gained the most
cherished trait Of a noble character.
We won-they lost. We re. lrned
to our homes with the shouts. OF ,lc-
tory ringing in our ears-our cause
triumphant.
They were defeated, their cause
lost, and they returned to homes de-
stroyed, barns empty, money worth
less, slaves free and ruin all about
them. Any but brave people would
have yielded to these adverse con-
ditions-not so with them. B"aveiy
as they fought during the war, they
now fought the battles of life, ami
the splendid growth and d d,felop-
ment of the South since the close OF
the war Is the South's grande5t and
most enduring monument.
United as we are now, our coun-
try is designed to make new era OF
progress. We have by our united
efforts advanced to the highest pin
nacle of fame, and become a mighty
world power with our influence every
where potential. Who does not re-
joice that our Union Is one and in
divisible, and will remain so for
ever"
Many matters Affecting the welfare
of the Grand Army veterans will
come before the encampment. ;'he
question of pensions will come up.
the veterans urging that the lowest
pensions granted be considerably in
creased