The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1919-05-14

Cemetery. In Address by Rev. C. r.
S4U'res IL Splendid Tribute is Paid
Confederate Soldier.
Memorial day exercises, commemo-
rating the Confederate dead, were fit
tingly observed at the Laurens Gene
terry Sunday afternoon, the address of
the occasion being delivered by Rev. C..
L. Squires, Of this city Albert Todd,
Esq, acted as master Of ceremonies
and read the Honor Roll Of those who
gave up their lives during the war and
nave died since. Following the exer-
cises. children Of the graded schools
and the Daughters of the Confcdcracy
placed floral wreaths upon the graves
OF the departed soldiers. The children
1lrst gathered at the graded school and
marched from there to the cemetery
under the direction of Superintendent
Spears and the corps Of teachers.
The exercises, which were under tho
direction Of the United Daughters Of
the Confcdcracy, were begun with a
cornet solo by B. K Humphries, after
which the audience sang America"
Kew S. II. Tcmpleman delivered an in
vocation and then the audience sang
Onward Christian Soldiers. Mr.. Todd
then introduced Rev. Mr.. Squires, who
delivered an inspiring address, pictur-
ing the ideals and courage Of the Con-
federatc soldier as rich heritage
(which has borne fruit in the patriotic
and courageous soldiers who are re-
turning from victorious war of libcr-
ty today. Following Mr.. aSqures' ad-
dress Mr.. Todd read the Honor Roll
after which a quartet composed of
Mcssrs John A. Hicks, C. II. Hicks, Ed.
Hicks and James McCravy sang
Tenting on the Old Camp Ground"
The exercises were brought to a close
with the sounding OF "Taps" by B. X.
Humphries, after which the flowers
were placed upon the graves.
Rev. SQuircs' Address.
The address Of Mr.. Squircs was in
part as follows:
Mt chairman and Fellow Countrymcn:
We arc gathered here to honor the
memory Of those who. in response to
their country's call. sprang to the fore
front; fought valiantly, endured
chccrfnlly and lost honorably. They
lost all-nay not all-thcy lost all but
honor; in that they lived, for that they
died, and unto that they call us today
to dedicate our lives.
But, my countrymcn. how can we
best honor them? 1t is a beautiful
custom to strew flowers upon their
graves; it is the mark Of revercntial
respect to stand with uncovered head
about their graves hut can we not
best honor them by translating into
our own lives those moral qualities
which were exhibited in the Confed-
crate soldier and Justly entitlc him
to the honor OF the heroic great?
Have they no message for us Of this
generation. the spirits Of these I'm
mortals? We believe that they have.
First there Is the message OF Faith.
They believed their cause. the self
determining power OF the Sovereign
State, was right And although they
lost the smaller stake, we and rem
nant OF their gallant comrades are
living in the dawn Of the new and larg-
CT day-thc day in which God, in His
ovcr-ruling providence, has converted
their defeat OF flfty-hve years ago into
glorious worldwide victory. We see
today that undying principle, the in
herent right OF the state, large or
small, weak or powerful. to govern
itself according to the will OF It's SOW
creign people, free from the domina-
tion Of an alien despotism, incorporat-
ed into the international compact and
sealed by the approval OF all enlight-
encd civilization.
Second, there Is the message OF
Hope. They hoped that their sacrifice
would achieve peace and prosperity. a
peace bcgottcn OF righteousness and
a prosperity the outgrowth OF Justice.
Thanks to the valOr Of their sons and
grands0ns and the millions beyond tho
seas. we arc at peace: and we enjoy q
prosperity without parallel in all his
tory We pray that righteousness may
continue to be our guiding star; Il