The Washington times., 1913-05-30
HEFL|N BRINGS GOOD
WILL OF THE SOUTH
Alabama Congressman Says
Wreaths Of Flowers Are
Dixie's Tribute to Heroes.

Holding aloft two wreaths of flowers
one for the Blue and one for the
Gray-Consressman ]. Thomas Hefin
Of Alabama, the first Southern orator
invited to speak at a Memorial Day
celebration on the Gettysburg battle
field, said to the thousands assembled
there today:
II bring to you a message Of good
will and fellowship from the people
Of the South. We honor the memory
of the soldier who wore the Gray and
We honor with you the memory Of the
soldier who wore the Blue. As an
evidence of our recognition and ap-
prectation OF the valor and heroism cf
both Union and Confederate men. and
az q token Of the spirit of the fra
ternai love now permeating the hearts
Of our people. I bring these Roral Of
Dixie-oue for the grave Of the soldier
In Blue and the other for the grave Of
the soldier In Gray"
Fifty Years.
The Southerner's Memorial Day
speech on the most famous battlefield
Of the civil war had as Its keynote
nifty years Of internal peace and the
gradual elimination Of sectional lines.
He reminded the assembled veterans
that within q few weeks L semi-cen.
tepnial OF the battle Of Gettysburg will
when l recall the deeds of daring
done here-the acts Of undaunted cour.
age and herotsm, I declare To you that
the sublime valor Of the heroes Of both
armies Ii . priceless heritage Of all.
the two armies who battled at Gettys-
burg will meet in friendly reunion on
this spot. A half hundred years have
gone since they locked into each others
faces. The bugle has long since sung
truce to them. Together they beno!d
and together they look upon the flag
Of our Union as IL blossoms with the
stars of reunited States.
Undivided Now.
These war-tested veterans arc no
longer divided into hostile camps. Their
guns have been beaten into the imple-
ments Of peace. and against each other
they shall know war no more. What a
glorious reunion that Will be. The
angels will smile upon that gathering,
and the God OF our fathers will bless
and approve 1t. for the South accepted
In good faith the decree of the sword.
When the brave remnant of Lees army
SCoSAeo tHciF SUM a. AppoihoetoA, '1ch-
eral Lee plighted to the Union not only
his faith. but the faith Of every Confed-
crate soldier and his son, their children,
and their children's children through all
the years and generations to come.
When bleeding Cuba was smitten
sore with the rod Of Spanish tyranny,
and lifted her pitiful. pleading eyes In
hope to the Stars and Stripes. I saw the
old soldier Of the Blue and the old SOL
dier OF the Gray and their sons
bivouacked around the same campfire
and marshaled beneath the same flag"
A special train carrying Congressman
Hefiin, q number Of his colleagues and
many Capital residents eft Washington
early today for Gettysburg. They will
return late this afternoon. =
An unusual sentimental interest CEN
tered in the celebration at Gettysburg
today. for II IL the forerunner Of the
reunion which will be held there early
In July. II is said that Mr. Hefiin Is
the first Southerner to deliver a Mem
orfal Day address on the spot where
the fortunes Of war turned against
Dixie and where the great four-year
struggle virtually had It's finale.