The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-06-16

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We fought for our freedom. our fire.
sides. our women and our God.
In union there, Is strength These
gatherings OF our Confederate hosts
by such union has given us strength
10 boldly assert the Justice OF our
cause. such manly assertion is carry
Ing conviction. II has brought about
most remark able change in opinion
In this country and in the world as
to the right of our cause. This change
has been brought about most largely
since we have been assembling I'm
these reunions and since we have hceu
fcarlessly proclaiminS tho high justico
OF our most tremendous struggle for
our rights. No disioyalty to our pres-
ent condition attends such assertion.
The fact of tho matter Is that our
one-time enemies should forever feel
proud that they are associated in a
common bond of patriotic unity with
the men and the offspring of the mon
who grandly illustrated tho highest
type Of American heroism
We accepted with loyalty our paroles
at the close OF the war. We returned
TO our homes to devote ourselves TO
the maintenance OF peace. harmony
and concord" we have honestly lived
up to every obligation we then az
sumcd. We took up our new duties,
we faced evory trouble and with 4
mighty effort triumphantIy rose above
the thousands of difficulties which com
fronted us. The war had brought US
ruin. desolation. defeat, but Its pard-
earned lessons. self-reiiance, patience
pcrsistency. courage. brought us sue
cess. We laid down our muskets be-
fore overpowering numbers and i'm
measurable resources. We seized thu
implements of peace. grappled every
obstacle andfnally -conuuered
Fellow -citiEcns or Macon. the men
who have done all this. the survivors
OF and participants in the greatest
war OF all time and the conuqerors In
| that subsequent Industrial struggle. ara
before you-the grandest heroes tho
world ever saw! Consider them we'll
, YOU will never SEQ their like again.
You. my dear old comrades. hava
! gathered in q city worthy to receive
YOU. No people were more devoted to
the Southern Confederacy and n,ne
more zealcusly treasure it's sacred
| memories than those OF Macon, our
gracious hosts. / Speak from actual
experience. l was one OF those who In
1864 barred my breast In defense of this
, grand old State, Its property. its wo-
| mon. its children. Its men were by
my side. In the battle of Atlanta, July
%. received q desperate. almost fatal
wound. After three days, lying on
tho floor of q common box car. every
Jolt of which was agony-and 1t seem
cd TO be jolts all the way-I reached
Macon. AS the train. loaded with
wounded rolled into the yard It was
surrounded by hundreds OF the tender.
loving daughters OF this royal city.
All with gentle hands and tender
hearts, ready to comfort and care
for the wounded Confederates. One
good woman. perfect stranger. Of
fered me delicacy after dclicacy. Gnal-
~ tempting me with glass of wine.
When I was taken out of the car and
laid on the depot floor she lovingly
came TO mo and urged me not to
touch any one elses supper. as she
WAS going to send me q nice supper.
So generous were these Macon Flor
ence Nightingale, so lavish in their
loving attentions, that 7 had to prom
Use to cat only that good woman's sup
per and not take 4 from any of the
othcrs God bless her and bless them
all. This is only an example. HAVE
not 4 perfect right TO say that thu
Confederate women of Macon were the
very salt OF the earth?
So long as life lasts. with my every
breath. l will testify to their tender
goodness. their Christian charity and
their imperishable devotion to the
Conncd crate soldier. ! doubt not some
few of these women are here to-day
to STeet you. ] know that their daugh-
ters and their Srnndhauehters are here
to welcome you. ] am sure that each
and every one welcomes you now. as
was welcomed in 1854. for l know
them to be tho most worthy children
of such worthy mothers.
To You. gentlemen OF the reunion
com mtttee, who have laborcd 30 earn
estly and SO faithfully. with open
hearts and willing hands. 10 welcome
u.s. and to tho women who have aided
you so gracious in your work:
onn 81 -
rades OF Macon. whose gallantry on
the battlefield is only equaled by your
hospitality at home;
To you. AIR. Mayor and cidzens OF
the loyal, devoted. prosperous city of
Macon. whose homes and hearts have
boon opened wide to us. your guests;
To you. sons OF brave fathers and
| noble mothers. who arc to-day carry
ing forward the development OF your
city and your country. building the
magnificent supcrstructurs on the
foundations laid deep and well by
your fathers;
To you. daughters. whose mothers
| nursed tho sick and wounded and gave
| their all that their country might live.
and by their supreme devotion mado
| tho war possible;
To you all we. your guests. bend
! our heads. open our hearts and offer
| our hands in acknowledgment OF oil
! the princely hospitality you so lavish
~ showered upon US. We como TO
you. not now to stanch our bloody
| wounds. not for your sowing care. but
| in health and in old age. to ask you
! to Join us in forever uphoiding the
precious memories of noble past and
! aid us in proving to all the world that
ETERNAL right. though all else fail,
| Can never be made wrong"