The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-28
M B N w o M B N
 A ND THIN c s


 the Confederacy.
 confess that for while liter the Spanish American war that I hoped that the Grand Army of the Republic and the Confederate Veterans would in some way arrange to merge Deco ration and Memorial Day and make 1t joint affair.
 But in the light of the even greater coming together of the north and the south in the great war just ending. I am convinced that it is best for each section to remember in its own spe- cia1 way the memory of their heroic dead, and that the men who wore the blue and those who wore the gray should be eulogized as northerners and southerners, and not simply as Americans.
 By this, however, do not mean that I am unconscious that never as be- fore the whole country is welded into a nation, that the national spirit is growing into a reality, that American ism is preached as never before. and ought to govern our statesman on both sides of the Mason and Dixon line, and that the Mississippi river should not divide the east and the west only in a geographical sense
 While all of this is freely admitted and is good omen for the future Of these United States yet the story of the fratricidal conflict Between the great struggle, should be treasured in the memories of all who wish to understand the genius of the American people and the government under which they live.
 It has been said that the south has been so busy making history that it left to the north the business of writ ing it down. I think we are far enough away from the Civil war for historians to write about it without trying to color the story in the in- terest of either of the two great com batants. There has already been
 
 north and south, too much that is one sided, and the truth should be told
 I was glad, therefore, when Mrs W w Monroe wrote and asked me to speak at Fayette on April 26 for more than one reason. I had not visited the town since it's Phoenix-like emergence from state of ruin, for be it remem- bered that when the conflagration which swept over it in 1911 had died out. the only place of business left un- touched was livery stable. It made clean sweep.
 I saw it town of wood on my first visit but on Thursday l saw it city of brick While the fire was at the time dreadful loss to many, it was the acid test of the grit of those who lost their all by the flames. as well as a challenge to the civic pride of the community. Individuals as well as the citizens as a whole accepted their loss with courage, and went to work to re- cuperate their losses, and today gives evidence to all who know the facts that Fayette is forward looking place.
 Not only were the stores built larger and better in every way but many new and handsome homes have been erected. l was guest in the home of MT. and Mrs. J. c. Grimsley. It would be credit to our South Highlands section. There are others which are handsome, and many which are ex- tremely homelike. Not only are the houses in good condition as rule but he Ic f@- flowers and shrubs abound
 Fayette believes in education. It's grammar school is modern and makes a fine showing on one of the main streets, while the County High school is well situated, and commands atten- tion on account of it's soridity and up> to-date appointments. It shows that the people of the community are SUD- porting the public schools of the state. The churches come in for their proper share of attention. I was glad to greet my friend J. I. Williams, pastor of the Methodist church. and s. B. King, shep- herd of the Baptist flock, and to learn from good Presbyterian sister that pr. J. A. Bryan had promised to come up for special services.
 But, back to the memorial exercises.
 
 arried out at the cemetery, but owing to the threatening weather, the ad- dress was given at the new court house. which was crowded to its full capacity, the main floor, the galleries and the arena around the judges bench being utilized One side of the main floor was given over to the school children, while the Daughters and old Veterans occupied seats within the chancel
 Pastor Williams had charge of the ex- ercises, while 1 was introduced in a most happy manner by MT. w. w. Monroe America was sung, local orchestra furnishing the music. l have not spoken to such large and enthusiastic crowd for many day, and to say that I en- joyed it is to put it mildly. I always like to speak to school children, for they show their appreciation by the express sions on their faces.
 
 After the exercises were over at the courthouse the children and all who cared to go were carried out to the cemetery in cars. It looked to me as if every car in the county was parked went out and after the recitation of q stirring and patriotic poem by Miss Elose Cain, the children and the Daugh- ters placed wreaths on the graves of all the Confederate dead, and also on the grave of soldier who fought in the War of 1872,
 The cemetery is out in the old town The site of the old courthouse Is now a field, while the building in the ceme- tery covers the spot on which the old E>cx Do, 1tse,< ctNA NAA fnR n