The Delta independent., 1923-11-16
PAID TRIBUTE TO WOMEN
At VlCkSBURG MEETING

pointed from each state to go to Vicks-
burg to lay out national cemetery.
The ladies rendered a banquet to the
visitors, Mrs. Noel, the governors
wife, delivering the address of well
come. In response, w. T. Durbin,
Governor of Indiana, paid the follow
ing tribute to the soldiers, as we'll as
to the women who had by heroic en-
durance helped in ending the war.
(The addres is given us through the
courtesy of Mr.. T. E. Fulghum, of this
war:)
"Governor and Mrs. Noel
Forty-five years ago today, knock
ed at your r-Vicksburg-and was
denied entrance. You told me and my
comrades, TO go hence and stand not
upon the order of going, or what you
would do to us would be good and
plenty. Your expression was not
polite, nor your language elegant.
Now when | come again, accompanied
by friends and comrades, Vicksburg
opens wide her welcoming gates-we
are most cordially invited to enter
We have tasted of your hospitality
and liked it. You make us feel al
most as much at home as though we
were beside our own fireside in happy
Hoosierdom. And now from all parts
of our glorious nation, comes the uni
versal acclaim, "One Country, and one
Flag" The union of states, the union
of hearts, and the union of alteration
of the stars and stripes forever.
Reference has been made and eu-
1ogy paid to the commanding generals
Very properly so. Likewise the man
behind the gun has received due and
very proper recognition, and yet there
has been to my mind an oversight
not intentional at all-of the strongest
element that entered into the contest
on both sides-women from whom
came all the loyalty, the inspi1a-
tion, devotion to the flag we followed
and for which we bravely fought
MOTHER-Oh! for the gift to portray
to you the full meaning of what she
was, is, and ever will be. Could
but speak the magic word in all its
loving tenderness or had l the tongue
of the gifted orator to adorn my ex-
preston with the choicest ornaments
OF the language, I would fall far short
of giving full and just due to the won
derful influence of woman in shaping
the destiny of the contending forces.
MOTHER it was that rocked the
cradle, who taught us to lisp the low
| ing word, who instructed us in taking
our first step in babyhood, and who
ever afterwards would have guided US
along life's pathway Alright. To her is
due the credit for creating in hearts,
love and affection. 1t was Mother
who told us our first love was to be
for our Creator, and our second for
| our country and its flag. From her
sprang our patriotism, and our devo-
tion. Mother told US to be brave, good
and true. Mother gave us to the cause
and followed US to the camp, on the
march, in the bivouac. At the battle
front when their fiercest charge they
made, she whispered, be brave be
steady
Mother letters kept us up. Mother
ever present in spirit as a guardian
angel, directing, controlling. The boy,
recognizing at all times, in all places,
under the most trying conditions the
influence of mother. Mother on the
battlefield. in the midst of the fight,
encouraging-in the hospital blessing
and alleviating pain. In death It was
mothers voice that gave the final
blessing and words of consolation.
Angel mother may the God of heaven
give you constant companionship and
support in life, and in the world to
| come a crown.
There is another to whom great
and just credit is due-the wife In
the buoyancy of youth we could leave
parents-but parting from her, whom
we had vowed to love, honor, and pro-
tect through life and until death do us
part, was very different. Wife at home
looking after the little ones, many
times in need OF maintenance and sub.
sistance, struggling to make ends
meet. Her letters full II hope, and
yet she could not conceal the fact
|
So lonesome without you. Oh, won't
this cruel war soon end, so tha. you
can return to home and little ones.
The wife had a most important part
in the struggle, and was a most i'm.
portant factor therein.
'There is yet one other just as con.
spicuous, just as strong, just as in
piring and hopeful-'The girl I lef;
behind me- What influence she ex.
erted, no man can justly estimate.
When you parted and she watched you
wend your way down the road, you
could not refrain from looking back,
nor restrain a tear-she loved you and
you reciprocated; a vow had been
plighted, to be consummated when you
returned from the war. You could not