Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1912-11-15
U. D. c. CONVENTION.

| SiOStCu III <AIlIlbtOu NdtlOldI cemetery /
the section set apart for the dead soldier
of Dixie At least $4,000 members wer
in the National Capital, with this numbe
further augmented by veterans of the Con
federate armies and the families of tn
members. Fully 700 of these were dele
gates, accredited to the convention from
their State divisions.
There was one distressing note. Tn,
grave illness of her husband did proven
the attendance at the convention of tn,
President General, Mrs. Alexander B. White
Word was received from Paris, Tenn, he
home, that the duty of attending at the
bedside of Mr.. White made imperative hel
absence from the great convocation of the
society in Washington.
The presiding officer of the convention
instead of Mrs. White. was Mrs. Frank G
Odenheimer. First Vice President General
Mrs 0denheimer is Maryland women
from the town of Jessup. and is most popu-
lar and exercises wide influence in the
society.
Hilary A. Herbert, Secretary of the Navy
in the cabinet of Grover Cleveland, laid
the corner stone. He made an address
recounting the circumstances of the strug-
Gle between the North and South that
provoked the Civil War, reviewed the his
tory OF the monument project and told OF
the many incidents of recent times which
indicate the dissipation Of the sectional
feeling.
The orator of the day was William j.
Bryan. Mr.. Bryan paid tribute to the
Southern women. the courage of the Con-
federate soldier and applauded their ac-
ceptance of the verdict of the sword
In the box set in the corner stone were
placed copy of the act of Congress set
ting aside tract in Arlington cemetery
and authorizing removal from prison ceme-
teries and graveyards over the country of
the Confederate dead and their renter
ment in the national cemetery; COPY of
letter from William H. Taft. then Secre-
tary of War, authorizing the District of
Columbia Division, United Daughters of
the Confederacy, to raise a monument to
the dead soldiers of the lost cause in
the Confederate section at Arlington, a
movement afterward undertaken by the
entire organization small copies in silk
of State flags of Southern States and one
of the American flag to represent the Dis
trict Of Columbia.
The ceremonies began at 2 O'Clock. The
Fifteenth Cavalry Band, under the leader
ship of Arthur S. Whitcomb, bandmaster,
played Southern melodies, inaugurating the
ceremonies. Bishop Robert A. Gibson, of
Richmond, Va, then invoked blessing upon
the project and the proceedings. A para
phrase Of Nearer. My God, to Thee" was
played by the band.
Mr.. Bryan said, in part;
ut is appropriate that the erection of
this monument should be intrusted to the
United Daughters of the Confederacy
that splendid organization which has called
forth the energies of the women of the
South and brought them into cooperation
in the doing of so much for the welfare of
their sections and the country
'WOman-last at the cross and first at
the sepulcher undisputed sway on
occasions like this. Her ministrations in
woke the sweet and sacred memories that
link US to the brilliant past, while she
points us to the brilliant visions of the fu-
ture.
II 10 hNtillSp wv tllut lllC DuuRHltIS
the Revolution should participate in these
exercises, for both North and South inherit
from the patriots of colonial days.
And 1t is entirely proper that the Presi-
dent of the United States should welcome
to the National Capital those who come
upon so laudable mission as that which
inspires the city's guests.
THE North and South jointly contributed
10 NhA hat 81 l..
tween the States. They share together
the responsibility for the introduction of
slavery; they bore together the awful sac
riices that the conflict compelled and they
inherit together the glories Of the struggle,
written in bravery and devotion. Enor-
nous as was the cost and bitter as were
the animOsities that were aroused charity
and forgiveness have sprung up like flowers
from the battlefields and their fragrance
will endure.
The Capital city is the place for such a
monument and we must confess that il Is
not complimentary to us that its building
has been so long delayed. In this thrOb-
bling heart Of the nations political life the
monument whose corner stone we lay to-
day will stand as visible proof of the
harmony and concord that make our ma
ton one.
1T has occurred to me that the thought
most worthy TO be given supreme emphasis
on this occasion is the thought found in
the ninth verse OF the sixteenth chapter of
Proverbs: A mans heart deviseth his way !:
but the Lord directeth his steps
The Bible passage which have quoted
is offered for your consideration on this
occasion, because the Civil War which
these exercises recall furnishes us supreme
illustration of Jehovah dealings with man.
A great issue arose among the people Of
great nation passion was engendered
and anger clouded the minds Of disputants.
Finally the cause was submitted to the
arbitrament Of the sword And out Of il
all has come result that no one could
calculate. History furnishes no parallel ;
there Is nothing with which to compare
the remarkable experience through which
our nation passed. Behold a nation -'an
indssoluble Union of indestructible States
setting the world an example in the So
luton Of problems as we9hty as ever
pressed for consideration nation in
which the sections, with affection undated
for those who wore the cOlOrs Of the re-
spective armises, now mingle their sorrow
for those who fell and their regard for
those who survive
"On the summit Of the Andes, where
Argentina and Chile meet. the representa-
tives Of the two countries have placed q
bronze stature Of Christ. II is a heroic
figure and represents the Prince Of Peace.
one hand holding al0ft the cross, the other
stretched forth as If invoking benedic-
ton. Around ii are the snOwclad peaks
OF that lofty mountain range. II embodies
a sublime sentiment. and the monument is
in itself pledge Of perpetual peace be-
tween the nations
so let this monument be emblematic Of
our nations unity Of aim and purpose.
Standing on the line that once separated
two unfriendly sections. II becomes bond
Of unity, and, breathing the spirit Of Him
who laid the foundations Of a universal
brotherhood. il will be TO the country a
promise Of never-ending good will
The national air. MY Country It's Of
Thee" was played by the band. DR.. Ran
dolph H. McKim pronounced the benedic-
ton. Rising TO the strains Of 1.-THE Star
Spangled Banner" closing the ceremony.
the assembly dispersed.
At meeting Of the Arlington Confed-
crate Monument Association Of the u. ID.
c. on Tuesday morning announcement was
made that ahouf $40 0(l0 had aIraadv haan