The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-05-21

ern confedeiacy Hsre one OF the forld's
sphinx governments for a period of four years
maintained itsclf against insuperable odds and
successfully withstood the invaders attacks.
Within the c!ty's gates reposc the ronsecratcd
dust of the flower of Southern man. hood who
yielded up their lives upon the battiefelds of
the vicinity. Speaking tributes in bronze and
stone bear testimony to Southern valor and
challenge the admlring gaze Of all: archives
filled with the records of history and authenti-
Gated by the life-blood and sacrifices of The
sons of the South are found here, and splendlc
Battle Abbey. fit memorial of the Confederacy,
lie to be opened at the approaching reunion
Magnificent pageants. oratons. martial airs,
soldier organizations and booming guns of peace
along the James will be leading features of TINS
wears reunion. Attendance upon it wei. seems
patriotic sons and daughters of od'l southland
We rejoice that the war between the States
N the last sixties erased from cur cuuntry's fair
escutcheons the stigma of slavery an institu-
ton for which the whole country primarily was
responsible And though thousands of homes
in all parts o. grea, country were bereaved
because of the aptism of blood, yet sincere
Iy rejoice that the Union was preserved ami
that thece' tinted States of America are forever
one and ind .ssoluble We love tn" Stars and
Stripes. this glorious emblem OF otE common
country: va counsel the par: of al! undyins
allegiance to the naticDs ensign, thi; its dignity
honor and pcrpetuity be ever matters of first
import TO al; who love the her.-hges Of father
land and revere sanctity Of family hearth
stone.
No part of our reunited country is more loyal
than the southland. Sentimen. has ever been
the finer fibre of our Southern people We re-
5cice that its strain is still part Of hercd-
,ty. While the faithful stars hold out 70 shine
in the heavens. may the South ne.er lose this
distng dshing trait, nor become commercial
!zed as to become reCreant to IT. glorious past
and to history. Posterity win sec it should
see that the valor, herosm an I deeds of the
Confederate army. the men WIN -iorified the
Gray, be chanted along with the pacans II all
ages Moving epcs and competing tales, voices
sweeter than ever uttered by siren and
pens sprigtltll.r than have hitherto been welded
Will tell yet again of the Old South ana its
glory; how its Gray-clad heroes ever wars
dread tocsin sounded in the land marched to
the front ami proved their devotion TO their
God given principles Ut every field az carnage,
from Bethel to Appoma.tox
Now that the remnant of the Gray-clad army
is about to assemble IN memory-thronSel Rich-
lnond and pass in review. adplirinS thousands
Of patriotic descendants Of tha Cd South will
pause and by HOMAGE to the soldiers of the
Confederacy and their valor shown upon the
field of bate Hearts will mellow at memory
of the living and dead who wore the Gray. ana
While float the strains of Dixie Land
Upon the air away
Well thank God and neer forget
The brave legioas in Gray.
The Stars and Stripes we love less
Because our hearts beat tree
To the glorious old Stars and Bars
The Southern Cross knew.
r. w. GRIzZARD.
Martnsburg. W, Va