The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-04-27
INCLEMENT
WEATHER MARS
MEMORIAL DAY
PROGRAM AS PLANNED COULD
NOT BE CARRIED oUT-ExER-
cisEs WERE HELD IN SCHOOL
RIO. f--SEV. EUGENE r. PENDLE-
TON ORATOR OF DAY.

The program arranged for Memorial
Day by the Ladies' Confederate Me-
mortal Association yesterday could not
be carried out in full on account OF tne
Indictment weather. However,, the eA-
ercises at the school building on North
Hill were appropriate and impressive,
The graves of the dead heroes mao
been covered with flowers gathered
by the ladies and children OF the sew
eraI Confederate societies, ana lhe
Confederate monument in Lee SQUARE
was draped with Confederate ountliis
and the mound was covered WIN
quantities of southern flowers
1t was intended that the exercises
be held in the park, but Wnen the
rain continued from early morning the
teachers Of school No. 1 onered IhaI
building in which to hold the exercises
and appropriately decorated IL Ior inc
occasion.
Southern flowers and smilax and
many large and small Confederate
fags. together with the pictures of
southern generals were used TO decor
ate the halls of the school
Mayor Reilly presided during the ex-
ercises of the afternoon and made an
impressive talk that was appropriate
TO the occasion.
Rev. Mr.. Brown offered a prayer
asking Divine assistance for the pres
ent and coming generations to always
be steadfast to principle and strive to
work for what is right and good.
The school children sang Dixie" and
"Tenting On the Old Camp Grounds,
and Miss Mildred Kessler sweetly
sang Maryland Ny Maryland"
Rev. Eugene r. Pendleton was the
orator of the day. His address did not
contain anything that would offend the
Union veterans if they had been there
but 1t was a talk full of love for the
heroes of both sides Of the conflict
that fought for principles they believ-
ed were right. He said that it was
proper and right that in the spring
time, when the season was brightest
and the flowers the prettiest, the des-
cendents of the ones who took part II
the deadly conflict should join will
the Veterans and the Daughters OF thu
Confederacy to place flowers upon thu
graves and shed tears for those VIII
nonor conferred upon me as mayo
of the city by the Ladies' Confederate
Memorial Association to preside upol
this occasion.
The exercises today under tn
auspices Of the Confederate Memoria
Association are a beautiful and fittins
tribute paid to those heroes who sac.
! rificed their lives and fought for s
principle they thought was Just and
right.
The exercises today are the more
appropriate this year for the reason
that it is the semi-centennal an
niversary Of the birth of the Confed-
eracy fifty years ago-that terrible
struggle, the Civil war, began which
lasted for four long years the heroism
and bravery displayed by the southern
soldiers can never be forgotten, for IT
is indelibily written in the pages of
history.
When peace was declared at Appo-
mattox court house in 1865 the south
ern soldiers returned to their homes to
md them devastated and their fields
and plantations laid waste and bare
but with that indomitable courage
characteristic of the southern people
they began life anew, confronted by
almost insurmountable obstacles. such
as oppression and persecution during
the dark days of reconstruction which
lasted until 1876. when South Carolina
Louisiana and Florida proclaimed
themselves free, independent and SOW
erign states by the win of their
people at the polls.
For nearly three decades after tho
civil war the south made very little
progress, but since that time a new
south, Phoenix-like, has sprung from
the ashes Of the old south, and peace
ana prosperity SMILES upon us from all
sides.
1t must be a source of much graft
ncation and consolation to these aged
veterans to know that their comrades
VINO sacrificed their lives fifty wears
ago upon the altar OF patriotism thai !
their memories are still revered and |
neld sacred, and will continue to be so |
long as southern blood flows in the
veins Of our people
1t gives me much pleasure IN in
uoduce to You gentleman who is
well and fayorabIy known to a large
number OF you, the Rev. Eugene r.
Fendleton, the orator of the day.
Mr.. PsndIeton's Address,
Mr.. Pendleton spoke as follows.
My Friends and Fellow Ceuntrvman.
In the spring of 81 when the bovs
marched down the yard walks and