Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-05-30
HELM PRAISES
BLUE AND GRAY
Representative From Alabama
Pays Eloquent Tribute to
Civil War Dead.
SPEAKS AT GETTYSBURG
MEMORIAL EXERCISES
First Southerner to Deliver an Ad-
dress on the Historic
Battlefield.

GETTYSBURG. Pa. May Outstanding
on historic Gettysburg battlefield and
bringing "a message OF reunited coun-
try, Representative Thomas Heflin of
Alabama today paid eloquent tribute to
the heroism of the men who wore the
blue and the gray. His was tue first ad-
dress ever delivered by southerner at
Gettysburg Memorial day exercises.
Our colonial fathers from north, south
and east and west Mr. Hefin said.
fought together. when they brought this
republic into being, defended 1t together
in the war OF 1872 and triumphed to-
gether when they carried the Stars and
Stripes into the heritage of the Mon
tezumas The final and crucial test of
the republics strength and durability was
the combat on the field of battle in the
war between the states
he added that the question of the right
OF the state to secede and the right OF
uns Cnion 70 prevent 1t, the status of
federal government. could not be deter
mined in the councils of peace: il had IN
be settled by the arbitrament of the
sword
Now Harmonious Household.
The republic once Astounding with con-
nlctng opinions as to state and federal
rights and powers" he continued is to-
day the harmonious household Of soyer-
eisn states. the home of a brave and
happy people. Here we bow with solemn
reverence In honor of our nations dead,
and pay to their blessed memory the
tr' butte of our united love.
Hero1sm never had truer represent
atives than those who made this battle
neld immortal. Here the soldier In blue
and the soldier In gray read in each
others eyes courage born OF conviction.
devotion to principle, Willingness to do
and de for what they believed was
sht. Here Union and Confederate SOL
dlers, by their daring sacr flee and hero
ISM. challenged the admiration Of the
world. Here northern valor drew up in
battle line the bravest of her brave. the
noblest specimens of her patriotic man
hood. and southern chivalry marshaled
the noblest types OF her splendid citizen
ship.
Here the brave Union soldier checked
the march Of the hitherto Irresistible
Confederate soldier. Here In the red
glare OF destructive battlefire two mighty
lessons were taught: one that the Union
should be preserved, and the other that
the Union should be ever mindful and
considerate of the rights Of the states.
80 the soldiers Of tho two armies who
baptized this soil with their blood, did
not die IN vain: they started the work Of
cementng the bonds OF an everlasting
Union.
Message OF Good Will.
y bring to you q message OF good will
and fellowship from tho people Of the
south. As an evidence OF our recognition
and appreciation OF the vaior and hero
ism Of both Union and Confederate sol
diers. and as token OF the spirit of fra
ternal love now permeating the hearts OF
our people. | bring you floral offerings
from the flower gardens OF u xie one for
the grave OF the soldier IN blue and the
other for the grave of the soldier in gray.
The sublime valor Of the heroes of both
armies Is the priceless heritage of ALL
OR the reunion in July of survivors of
the two armies at Gettysburg, Mr. Hef-
lin said: What a glorious reunion that
will be. The angels will smile upon tina,
gathering and the God of our fathers will
bless and approve It. The south accepted
In good faith the final decree Of the
sword"
Let the living join hands and hearts
about q common center for the good Of
the republic" he concluded LET north
south. east. west, all work together for
the good of all. Here on this battlefield
incarnadined with the blood of patr ots
north and patriots south. let US. i'm the
language Of Lincoln. resolve that this
government shall not perish from the
earth