The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-10-23
THE GRAY LINE.

4 MN EtNI
Tonight the Confederate veterans
will leave Pensacola in a special car
for Chattanooga, where they win meet
their comrades in grey for what will
be the last reunion for many of that
valiant band that fought that noble. if
losing fight. under the Stars and Bars
OF the Confederate States of America.
However one may feel as to the OUT
come of that heroic struggle; however
one may measure the results or esti-
mate the benefits that may have been
wrought from the wreck of nation,
| there is none so craven, none so short
sighted, none so poor in spirit as to
withhold from these men that love and
reverence which every soul must give
to every other soul which fights a los
ing fight and makes conquest Of
failure.
Time has healed the gaping wound
that for so many years went unhealed,
kept open and fostering by. the acids
of calumny and distortion.
After the most unequal struggle in
all the annals Of history, that shattered
band which surrendered at Appamatox
returned to a land devastated and to
hearths denuded. Where had been rich
plantations, was laid waste; where no.
Bile homes had been, the torch had left
black ruin; where sunshine and whole
some happiness had reigned, dark
clouds Of war showed deprivation IN
speakable.
When these men who gather In
Chattanooga this week returned from
the battiefields to take UP their hope
less fight, want walked with them
/ and pain and sorrow Swallowed them.
They faced life weaponless, except for
that courage which was their shield
and that integrity which was their de-
Tense.
No other story in all the world COM
pares to this high romance Of courage.
It has been enormously said that the
terms laid down TO Germany by the al
lies were the strictest ever laid upon
nation. But even these were mild,
compared TO the terms imposed upon
the south after the surrender.
But these men of the Southland
knew how to fight. and they did not
falter with all that was material
swept away they had still left to them
that strength and power that comes
from conservation to a cause.
Believing in the rights OF self-gov-
eminent, Tor which their brothers had
died. they held fast to those ideals,
as they labored to build UP again no.
bile structure from the ruins OF their
broken homes. JI
Believing that self-determination is
the right 81 a nation. and having failed,
they gave to the United states govern
naent that same devotion and loyalty
that they had given in their long and
losing fight for their own hearthstones.
No one has to be told what the
south has accomplished In rehabilita-
ton during the past half century. The
south Of today tells the story Of that
accomplishment.
No words are needed to show the
loyalty OF the South to the flag OF the
nation. The South has written that
loyalty large on the pages of history.
III the blood OF its sons. spilled on San
Juan Hi and on the batIlefields Of
France, where thcy gave their lives
for frcsdom.
When sofs-sandaled time reminds
us TIA; another year is passed. and
that oaoo again .hese men, old now
and worn ana feeble. VINO once wore
the Ercy. are meeting in annual re- !
iiui0. Aea long FOR some magic words. /
for some sitt:ag and simple phrases,
some one thing that we might say. &c
prove 10 them the dcot we owe them
nut ;hcro Is 10 Eord.
All wo cnn Go IL 70 love :hcu. TO re-
mosnber. not IL bsttoraess, but In pride; I
not IN rnEcov. but IN reverence; not /
In vainglory but IN humility. the deeds i
that have been theirs: the gift they
have made 20 their country. giving to
its serves. tho highest manhood and
the noblest wcmanhood 70 Sight for
liberty. 70 eRpouse the Cause ef the
weak and oppressed and to uphold
those principles -isao-s which peace
win never come to tho world the
right OF SELF government.
s.-t. s4a-.-