The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-28
HEFL|N DISCUSSES
 HISTORY OF SOUTH Admiral Semmes' Birthday
 Is Celebrated PROUD OF ALABAMA" Names Many of History's Illustrious Mor NLr Wa~c
PROUD OF ALABAMA"
Names Many of History's Illustrious Men Who Were SOutherners.
 Meeting Also Held at
 Chamber of Commerce

Congressman J. T. Hefin delivered an address before rather small crowd last night at the city hall armory, the meet ing being attended by the Confederate veterans, the Daughters of the Confed- eracy and the Sons of Veterans. The meeting was held to commemorate the birthday of Admiral Semmes and to keep alive enthusiasm in the ranks of the Confederate veterans of the district. In his speech last night MT. Hehin told of the glories of the south. it's contribu- ton to history, the loyalty of the Civil war soldiers, the part Alabama played in the struggle and ended with a discus sion of political problems of today, pre- dieting the election of Woodrow Wilson in November. He said in part: Edmund Burke said, Those who do not point with pride to the deeds of their ancestors need not look forward to the deeds of their posterity.' Peter the Hermit said to his men. Brave knights, remember the deeds of your ancestors It is well for us here in Alabama to gather the facts of the war between the states. I am proud of Alabama s part
 
 and one rich in noble deeds.
 Alabama in Embryo
 Alabama ceded to the general govern ment in 1902, the adopted daughter of the Mississippi territory. From a plain country girl she grew to be a queenly woman and was married to Uncle Sam in 1Sl9 In 1860 he violated the marriage contract and she abandoned him. He objected and she sued him for divorce in the court of arms. While the law was on her side the arbitrary action of the court made victory impossible for her.
 What is the south's contribution to civil liberty and constitutional govern ment? Ask the impartial historian. The first expression of civil liberty came from Virginia and it was southern man, Pat rick Henry, who said that none but the lawful representatives of the colonies could legally attach them. It was Albert H. Lee who introduced the resolution into the Continental Congress declaring the independence of the colonies. It was Thomas Jefferson. the father of the den- ocratic party, who wrote the Declaration of Independence. It was George Wash- ington, a southerner, who was selected as commander in chief of the army It was in Yorktown. in the south, that Corn wallis surrendered to Washington and it was later that Washington, a southerner. was elected the first president of the country. It was James Madison, a south erner, who wrote the constitution of the United States. For more than half cen tury southern men occupied the Presi- dents chair, were on the supreme bench and were the leaders in the nation. "A few years ago Charles Francis Adams, a grandson of a President, said that allegiance was first due to the lstate. Dr. Ellis the historian, says that the question of secession was never settled until after the war was settled If I was to take text 1t should be Glory in Thine Inheritance.'
 Proud of Past
 The fathers of the south have done much but the question is what will be our contribution to the country?' We can boast of the deeds of our ances- tors and we have the facts to back the boasts. We ought to be proud of our past. Devotion to duty, love of truth, courage. fearlessness and love of pure women mark the southern man. John the Baptist was beheaded, but his doctrine lived; David in the Hons den prayed to his. God: the Confederacy went down but 1t placed mark on self government and constitutional lib- erty that will live forever
 Congressman Heflin spoke with high praise or AdInlTdl Se11lineS, ana Sdlu that the facts of the war should be kept as told by the veterans so that their chill dren would know the truth
 MT Heflin stated that Roosevelt Taft Perkins, Finn and the others wanted to see the solid south break and that Roosevelt was in this section at present trying to break the south. He ridiculed Taft and Roosevelt for their actions at the Chicago conventions.
 very large crowd attended another joint meeting of the Confederate vet erans of the district, the several chap ters of the Daughters of the Confed- eracy and the Sons of Veterans held yesterday afternoon at the Chamber of Commerce. The meeting was held in |commemoration of the birthday of Ad- miral Semmes and Gen. F. s. Fergu- son delivered a splendid address for the occasion, telling the life of the old sea captain and his remarkable exploits while commander of the Alabama" the ship which caused the Yankees a great deal of trouble.
 Mrs. I. H. Benners presented crosses of honor to about 25 of the veterans who had not yet received them at the meeting yesterday. A large number of ladies attended yesterday afternoons meeting.
 ADJUSTMENTS