The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-04

, wishes to say about all the charming girls whom he met at this never-tozbe- forgotten reunion, but should they by any chance see this article they may perhaps recall the South Carolina veteran and the good wishes that he invoked for them'
 and which he trusts they will not en- tirely forget, and for the expression Of which was due to the inspiration of their presence and the hope on the part of the writer that perchance he might say some thing that would leave it's impress upon their memories and which might in time of storm and trouble strengthen them and make them remember and make l them worthily hear the names of the heroic and devoted women from which 1 they sprung-women who for four long years exhibited a courage and constancy that more than rivaled the women of Saragossa, or of the Hebrew matrons and maids who helped to defend the Holy City against the legons of Vespasian. l To the writer it was one continued pleasure, and left impressions upon his mind that will be remembered to the end, l and his heart is filled with gratitude for all the kindness that was so gladly given him, but words fail and hallowed mem- ories rise up in their place.
 | The parade more than met the most sanguine expectations and everyone seemed to catch the inspiration of the occasion with the resolve to enjoy it to l the utmost limit of their capacity It was not only a parade of the veterans, but of almost everyone else that could possibly l join in 1t, all intent on honorlng the vet erans in every possible way.
 The most beautiful feature in connec- l,tion with the parade was the appearance of all the thousands of school children,
 who marched and seemed to enjoy the oc- | and that is that it will leave impressions on their minds that time cannot obliter- ate, and it will help them in many ways, for it is of supreme importance that they should cherish, not in the spirit of bit terness, the memories of these heroes who are so rapidly passing away, and to know the principles for which they contended still survive. The erect bearing and fine marching of the young men of the va rious military organizations was a sub- ject of general remark. and made the old soldiers feel that in case of need that these young soldiers would march into battle as intrepidly as did the men in 1881, buts who will not join in the prayer that the sound of hostile cannon will never more be heard in all this broad land of ours, and that there may be- in the language of South Carolina's gifted poet, Timrod,
 Peace in the whirring marts, The hunter roams;
 Peace, God of Peace, peace in all our hearts,
 And peace in all our homes." The most pathetic sight of all was to see some old women, who had evidently lived through the stirring scenes of the war; marching by the side of their hus- bands. These women had evidently never known what wealth and ease was, but In their patriotism and courage they were sublime, and what made all this pos
 sible for them, being from the mountains Of Alabama and adjoining states, was
 that they were true and unmixed descen-
 dants of the great Anglo-Saxon race This great parade ended the reunion,
 and with it's pleasures and hallowed mem-
 orieS 1t passed into history. The next
 one will be held in Washington, but the
 writer is honest enough to say that he
 would have preferred to have had the
 honor of entertaining it to go to Mem
 phis or Oklahoma The appeal of the
 latter was pathetic, and should have
 won the appeal being that they wanted it
 because they wanted the children to see
 the old soldiers before they had all
 passed away.
 The writer's greatest enjoyment (being
 partially deaG was the beautiful singing of some of the young ladies at the Tut Wller hotel. The young folks enjoyed to the fullest extent the social features of the occasion. and who will grudge them
 this, for they were worthy of it all and
 all too fast passed the hours away, and
 good-bys had to be said, and a lingering
 clasp of the hand and farewell with
 the eyes, and the curtain fell It was all
 inspiring and beautiful, and the person
 who did not feel better for being there deserves to be pitied.
 "Oh! who with strict remarks The ebbing of the glass,
 When all the sands are diamond sparks, That dazzle as they pass.
 Oh! who to sober measurement Times happy swiftness brings; When birds of paradise have lent Their plumage to his wings l The writer has not written one-half of | what he would like to say, but must stop | right here before the editors patience
 is too sorely tired.
 May the sun of prosperity ever cover
 Birmingham with its rays, and may peace
 and happiness ever be the portion of it's splendid people, for its ladies are charm
 ing and it's men knighty. To his good-by
 the writer adds the Roman farewell: :: Vale, vale, longum vale.
 w. D. WOODS. 1 Darlington. $. c.