The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-05-08
The Spirit of the War Pervaded Everything We
Thought and Said and Did at the Annual Convention
Of the Alabama Convention of U. D. c., at Talladega
By DOLLY DALRYMPI.r

| ~ DO1AL DALft MILE
| 0GNlHE enthusiastic report which Mrs.
| j. A. Rountree, the beloved and
honored state president of the
| United Daughters of the Confederacy
| brings back with her from the recent
/ annual convention held in Talladega.
is not only interesting in regard to the
| expected achievements of the Alabama
division during the past year, but also
from the angle which brings this pa
triotic band of women together in the
present world war and inspires them to
do their bit" for their country, a her
itage which with them is traditional-a
badge of honor and renown.
''The annual convention of the Ala
bama division, United Daughters OF the
Confederacy. which has just been held
in Talladega, was a notable one for
several distinct features remarked
Mrs. ]. A. Rountree, who was the guest
of Mrs James M. Hicks during her visit.
First. every officer of the division was
present and in addition, our dearly pc
loved honorary life president, Mrs. Ellen
Peter Bryce of Tuscaloosa. whose beauty
of face and character serve ever as IN
spiration in our work
THE spirit of the war, naturally. per-
vaded everything we thought, said and
did, nearly every delegate present be-
ing either directly or indirectly con-
nected with it in some way" said Mrs.
Rountree. THE honor roll showed four
of us with some already in France, and
several dozen with sons in the army
waiting to go. Almost every one had
either a son, brother or nephew in the
service.
I'm reporting my work as chairman of
the general United Daughters of the
Confederacy war relief. felt great pride
in reporting the full endowment of three
entire wards in the Red Cross hospital
at Nelully, France, with fourth ward
well under way, the entire amount for |
same having been secured by our COM |
mttee since January / of this year. |
These wards are endowed at cost of |
5000 per year for each bed. The Alabama |
report showed one bed endowed in men,
Dry of Admiral Raphael Semmes, and |
sufficient funds in hand for a second, |
lacking 81, the executive board having |
recommended that this second bed be
endowed in honor of the Alabama heroes I
of 1S61-1s65. Mrs. James M. Hicks asked I
the privilege of contributing the ~,
which was accepted with thanks, and the |
action of the executive board Endorsed.
Then came a remarkable response from
The delegates of the convention, demon
strating the spirit of cooperation that
exists in our work, within less than
70 minutes $1f00 was pledged by chapters
and individuals for the re-endowment |
Of these two beds next year, leaving only
100 to be secured. / have never seen
such instant response to any appeal.
But war relief was by no means our
only work, that for the veterans showed
splendid increase and many pledges were
made for the coming year. The United
Daughters of the Confederacy always
considers its veterans first" she con-
,inued. Then our appropriations for
was doubled over that OF
asst year, and our membership showed
most unexpected growth, for our women |
ire rapidly recognizing the fact that as
daughters of Confederate fathers the
world is expecting much of them ana
hey must sustain the reputation of their
Mothers, as well as their fathers. The
hearty cooperation existing between the
United Daughters of the Confederacy
md the Red Cross is a benefit to both
and strengthens the work
# BOTH In my talk, historical evening,
emphasized this fact and explained IN
ull how the work is conducted, and
he obligations that should be met
In that same talk 1 took occasion,
IS I often do these days, to stress upon
mothers the duty that is theirs" Mrs.
2ountree continued. mot whether we
will let cur boys go dhey are going
whether We want them to or not, but
row we will let them go. Ours the duty
o let them SO cheerfully and willingly,
lot with tears and reproaches. If our
'oys are to be as brave as we want them
o be. then we must be equally as brave
n our way here at home. We must try
0 lose thought of self and our personal
art in the war and think of the Amer
can army as whole, not just as CEN