Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-10-10
"I.cst w. E,r,..,,

10 the Editor of The Times Disn,,,h
Sir'-Thc sons and daughters or
confederate veterans. in Niryiui, npa
IN the south. have the distinction OF
pcihE the sons and daughters of those
VINO louSht. and many OF you Of those
VINO u'eo. Tor 4 cause. that BY some is
called the Lost Cause" for the rca-
son that in the ordeal of bnttIc m.
prepondcrancc of physical force, for
the time being. obtained the mastery.
10 virginia belongs the unique dis
tIhtii"h OF having allied herself with
the southern Confedcracy. upon IN"
SlhEic issue OF state Sovcrcirr,y
Ana within her realm, along her CORR
doris In tho valley OF tho Shenandoah
upon tho plains of Manassas. upon
the waters OF the James. and wreath
ed around her capital city OF Rich
'nond. for four years the aurcolcs OF
battle radiated in savage spicndor
While within her bosom the great
heart beats OF the Old South throb.
bed with intense emotion
Upon NirSinia's sacrif1cal affairs
h"r iirst-born sons were laid while
the holocausts OF fire swept them
away. until there were no more vie
TINS for the sacrifice. The altar fires
died out for want OF fuel.
'uli, however. the struggle won,
on The Virginia and Southern ,.o
men came and gathered together tbc
sacred relicts Of their sons. and .,
th"ir Slrcs and reared above thor,
!uherai pyres. and mantlcd them with
!SH' ana planted roses to bloom. tina,
th"y might scatter their blossom,
over tho green sward. where thcv lie
In village churchyard. or wrcu,hc
with immortcilcs the granite tomb
or marble bust; or where. along the
boulevard In cnGy. they ride I'm
equestrian pose--or where, In stately
haIis. the niche with marble bust
adornS--or where. art OF pcucilod
brush has m!rrored there. the splcn.
did form and visaEe fair, Of those who
made their fame the story of song
Tor minstrel waif. or poets lore, or
forums high debate.
Their" was no victory in that defeat.
tn" struggle still goes on. to win the
Eucrdon OF the battle lost.
The South. itself. owes it's ,cco,
Structton tn its Union men. such as
Andrew Johnson. Of Tcnncssec and
inc most that lent him their aid and
support: among those were Rober, T.
Lee OF Virginia. and John n. Gordon
Of Georgia.
TN" traditions. the honor, tho in
hcritancc--as well as tho sclfnrc
s"rvation of Virginia. refuse any al
nance with the Republican party.
which has heretofore consisted OF tho
carpet haET"r. the dcludcd negro and
inc Federal omccholdcr-to which
may he added those whose minds
nave never been ahlc to grasp. or
stress TIL" real incentives Of tho Re.
"nh'ican party in Virginia. and in the
South.
1t is essential. therefore. to main.
'"in the nrc-eminencc Of the Demo.
.r"'ic party. in Virginia. and in rho
'"",n' representing as il does tho
:p'rlt OF Jefferson. the Inheritance ne
""Shihftcn and the sacrifciaI oNor
,htS 81 tho leaders OF the Lost Cause
together with tho rank and file. who
died with them. fighting for the same
"'ihc'"'es of human liberty. and self
government. as idealized in Stat.
Sovereignty.
IN" material losses OF propcrtv in
virginia. and in the South, have M
parallel. There were no reparo,ionr
In the loss OF vitality b,oucb,
about by the death Of her first horn
ana OF her best physical types. on
inc field Of battle. and elsewhere in
inc intense struggle. such as Ashbv.
stuart and Jackson, and the heroes
VINO died everywhere in the front line
or battle. there is no recovery.
Each Memorial Day. to Confederate
veterans. the story is rehearscd
Lest We Forget"
EDWIN +. SURBER.
richmond. Va. Sept. 90.