The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1911-06-14
MRS. B. H. HOOD TO THE VETERANS.
Address of President of Daughters of Conederacy In
Presenting Gross of Honor to Old Soldiers June 3rd

the gloom of darkening skies. In nc
other part of Gods universe can this
splendid cruciform of stars be found
save in far-aWay southern lands,
where the waves of warm seas wash
shores prodigal in tropical birds,
| fruits and flowers. There is but one
| southern cross in all the great firma-
ment. There are myriads of other
stars and consultations that in silent
majesty tell the story of the ages
and keep time to Gods own foot
steps as the ages roll by; but the
southern cross stands in wondrous
isolation as the only picture the Gre
ator ever painted on all the blue
heavens of that sacrifice once offered
on CalVary's hill.
AS the stars of that cross, which
are reflected in the waters of south
ern seas, stand out alone among the
marvellous creations of mighty mas
ter-hand so stands that little cross
above all other treasures in the
hearts of loyal southerners. 1t is
small; it is made only of bronze; no
jewels glitter on it; yet it tells to
all the world that the man who wears
II upO1 LAO DlSdbI lClO OSCu d 4lClO
in the deadliest conflict of modern
times. In the mad rush of trade,
in the clamOr for place and power a
glimpse of the small bronze cross
over the heart of a man shuts out
for a fieeting moment visions of the
market places of earth and CONNER
cial tongues, while memory brings
across the soul recollections of deeds
of vaIor and endurance such as have
never been surpassed.
The modern bronze emblem is Of
ten seen on threadbare garments
over hearts worn and weary with
the struggle with fate, yet above the
cross look out tired eyes in whose
depths linger the light of conflict
and a love for home, for principle,
and for the traditions of the past;
this cross tells of dauntless heroism
to an admiring world. AS there is
but one southern cross in the broad
expanse of Gods great armament so
there is but one Cross Of Honor in all
the wide world like unto the sacred
little cross which a Confederate vet
eran wears so proudly above his
faithful heart. In the years to come
it will be the most priceless treasure
of the children and grandchildren
and eat-grandchildren of the he
rOes who wore the gray in the stormy
days that came to a bitter close on
the field of Appomattox.
This Southern Cross of Honor has
been prepared as a gift from the
Daughters of the Confederacy-a no.
BILE army of women extending from
New York to San Francisco. 1t has
been copyrighted and is bound by
iron-clad rules and regulations and
will be bestowed only upon those
who can establish the fact that they
served honorably in army, navy or
civil service of the Confederate
States, and to the families Of those
who have passed over the river.
The Victoria Cross of England. a
tiny maltese cross similar to the
Southern Cross, constitutes the high
est honor that British soldier, Off
Ger or private, can obtain. So the
U. D. C's. make no distinction be-
tween officers and privates in the be-
stowal of their cross. Were General
Lee living he would be offered the
same cross which we present you
today.
The design of the cross was taken
from the Dannelong Cross, which
was found on the breast of Queen
Dagma when her coffin was opened
after 500 years. Dagmar means the
light of day." All that we desire
is that the light of day should be
thrown upon the cause for which our
veterans fought and upon the unset
fish heroism of these tried souls.
So, now in behalf of the Mary
Brantley Chapter of the y. D. c.
1t becomes my duty and pleasure to
present to you the Southern Cross of
Honor. 1t is a sacred emblem and
cannot be worn by anyone except by
the veteran upon whom bestowed
no descendant or representative
can wear it,
On and after December LIST, 1912.
no more Crosses shall be issued.