Carroll County democrat. (Huntingdon, Tenn.) 188?-1971, 1913-05-30
BOYS IN GRAY
Veterans Welcomed to the Re.
union City

Chattanooga this week attending
the twenty-third annual U. @. v.
reunion. An elaborate program
was carried out, embracing a NUM-
Der Of interesting events. There
was much of attraction in the city
outside Of the regular proceedings
of the reunion to make the occa-
sion one long to be remembered,
Gov. Ben w. Hooper, upon the
part Of the state, made the address
of welcome. Among other things
he said: Il deem it the proud
privilege Of a lifetime to welcome
to Tennessee soil the venerable
survivors of Che worlds greatest
war From the dawn of history
down to the present hour, the
measured tread of soldiery has
echoed upon the earth and the
vibrant strains of martial music
have stirred the hearts of men.
There have been wars just and I'M
just, wars necessary and unneces-
sary, wars of cruel revenge, of
selfish ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, and of ex-
allied patriotism. Among all the
military conflicts, ancient and mod
ern, which have swept our planet
with fire and drenched it with
blood, none have produced more
splendid examples of military
proves and heroic valor among
men and loyal devotion and I'M
complaining self-sacrifice among
women than the war batween the
states.
The heightened vista of the
centuries lends stature to Alexan-
der, Caesar, Hannibal and Napo-
leon and invests with extraordina-
ry spIendor the valiant deeds Of
those who followed them; but
when history has obtained the just
perspective of Lee and jackson
they will loom large among the
colossal military figures of all
time. And, what is better still,
they will stand supernal among
the chieftains Of every race and
cline, because they entered the
smoke Of battle with prayers rather
than curses upon their lips. There
could have been no such command
ers as these without such men as
the south furnished to the ranks of
the confederate armies,
you are gathered here today to
perpetuate the sacred memories Of
the past and to renew the comrade-
ship begun back in the days when
your steps were light, your eyes
we're bright and the tide of youth
ful hope surged high in your cour-
ageous breasts. No love save that
arising from the tenderest ties of
nature can exceed the love Of a
man for the comrades who camp
ed, messed, marched, fought, bled
and suffered by his side. No mu-
sic can ever quicken the pulse of
the old soldiers like the calls of a
bugle corps.
In behalf of every man, wo-
man and child in the great yolun-
teer state, / welcome this reunion
Of confederate veterans. | like
wise greet your strong, manly sons
and your surprisingly sweet and
beautiful daughters.
LET me say, upon this impress
sive occasion, that | trust that the
wisdom of diplomacy and the
justice of arbitration may restrain
the passion of war until the Prince
of Peace shall have gained supreme
possession of the hearts of men, but,
if this hope cannot be realized, |
can then wish for our republic no
greater boon than that her defend
ers shall be such men IS you we're
fifty years ago.
AS last word, permit me to
express the hope that your days
may yet be long in this goodly land
which the Lord, our God has
given US"