Evening star., 1912-11-13

impossible for the southerner to escape
the feeling that he was linked In his
allegiance to an alien nation, and one
with whose destiny he found 1t difficult to
much. and after awhile there came a
democratic administration of four years.
and then another one OF four years
Southerners were called to federal Of
fice they came to have more and more
influence in the halls OF Congress and
in the Senate, and the responsibility Of
the government brought with 1t sense
OF closer relationship to 1t and to all
the people for whom the government was
carried on.
Il speak for my immediate republican
predecessors in Office when / say that
they all labored to bring the sections
more closely together l am sure ! can
say that. so far as in me has lain. have
left nothing undone to reduce the sec
tional feeling and to make the divisions
Of this, our country. geographical only.
Confronted by Difficulties.
But I am free to admit that circum-
stances have rendered 1t more difficult
for a republican administration than for
a democratic administration to give to
our southern brothers and sisters the
feeling Of close relationship and owner
ship in the government Of the United
States. Therefore In solving the mystery
Of that providential dispensation which
now brings on a democratic administra-
tion to succeed this. we must admit the
good that will come to the whole country
In more confirmed sense of partnership
In this government which our brothers
and sisters Of the southland will enjoy in
an administration in which southern Opin
ion will naturally have greater influence
AMI the south greater proportionate rep
resentation in the cabinet, in Congress and
in other high Official station While | re-
joice In the STEPS that | have been able
to take to heal the wounds of sectional
ism and to convey to the southern people
as far as l could my earnest desire to
make this country one. | cannot deny
that my worthy and distinguished sue
cessor has a greater opportunity, and |
doubt not he viii, use it for the benefit of
the nation at large.
1T fell to my official lot, with universal
popular approval, to issue the order which
made 1T possible to erect In the national
cemetery of Arlington the beautiful
monument to the heroic dead of the south
which you founded today. The event In
itself speaks volumes as to the oblivion
of sectionalism. 1t gives me not only
great pleasure and great honor, but 1t
gives me the greatest satisfaction. as a
President of the United States. and pro-
nounce upon this occasion the benediction
Of all true Americans"
Replies to Welcome Addresses.
Mrs. Monroe McClurg of Mississippi re-
piled to the addresses Of welcome After
several musical numbers the session was
concluded by the presentation Of a flag
to the organization. The presentation
speech was made by Mrs. Fannie Ran
som Williams Of North Carolina, on be-
half of Mr.. Orren Randolph Smith OF
North Carolina, the designer OF the Con-
federate flag.
There were several vocal numbers on
the musical program. kipling's "Reces-
sional," de Koven. and '"Tenting on the
BILE quartet of male voices. The singers
were j. F. NJ. Bowie, G. Calvert Bowie,
j. NJ. Waters. Harry NJ. Forker, Ernest
II. Daniel DR.. H. McNamee, George
Terry and w. H. Waters.