Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1911-06-09
CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL DAY
AT LEXINGTON, VA.

In his address Saturday, June 3rd,
1911, before Iee-Jackson Camp of
Confederate Veterans, on the occasion
of the observance Of Confederate Me
mortal Day, Rev. William S. Ham
mond of Woodstock, former pastor of
Trinity Methodist church, Lexington,
said in part:
I esteem it a peculiar privilege to
stand here in this place Oh this oc
casion In all the Southland the OBJ
servarce of Memorial Day is not so
unique as in Lexington. Standing
here in this beautiful. historic place,
girt with blue hills, no other town IN
the whole South is so rich in Confeder-
ate memories.
The Virgiaia Military Institute, long
under the supervision of man who
directed wisely its fortunes, furnished
trained man for the conflict between
the States to the number of more than
five hundred officers. OF these eight
were general officers, go colonies, 80
lieutenant cololels, so majors, $50
captains, 100 staff officers and $50
subalterns.
A quiet professor of natural science
at the v. M. l was called to the field
of battle and in two years enrolled his
name high among the great military
leaders of the earth, Stonewall Jack
son. And the great General Lee, af-
ter Appomattox, turned his face to-
wards Lexington, where he devoted
his closing years to the great work of
training young men for their resphn-
sibilities to State and country. Here
also lived Virginia's war governor,
John Letcher, and the soldier-priest,
DR.. William N. Pendleton. Happy
and unique the town that is the qua. :
dian of the sacred dust of such heroes!
In referring to his theme. ''The
War-Fifty Years After" Mr.. Ham
mond contrasted the Confederate SOL
/ dier of 1861 with the Federal soldier
At the outbreak of the civil strife
young men and old, with high hope.
and bounding faith, entered upon that
thrilling year under the Stars and
Bars with whatever arms they could
provide for themselves; while on the
other side, the men under the old flag
of the Stars and Stripes, were armed
with all the latest and best for battle.
Time has wrought many changes
and we now have better understand
| ing of the history of half a century
ago. There is new spirit in writing
history, spirit of fairness, a spirit
of truth. And that is what the South
desires-the truth of historG The
North viewed the conflict as q rebel
llion, while the South regarded the
action of her sons as secession, a
right guaranteed, as she understood
it, by the constitution, and a right
which has been so decided by our
highest tribunal since the war. But
this right has been settled by the
abitrament OF arms, and never more
will any part of our country appeal tc
i arms to vindicate their views. A
better understanding of our Southern
leaders has come with the passing
years. President Davis, General Lee,
General Early aud many others, II
the light Of subsequent events, have
revealed qualities which at one time
the South questioned they possessed.
i The South il at last taking heI
Irixhtful place In the Union. Freed the
incubus Of slavery from her Sons hav,
spplied themselves to making oul
Icountry blossom a. the rose, and til,
Southland has become the seat Of til.
highest type of white civilization. Hel
Isons are taking their riRhtfsl place ID
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