Evening star., 1928-10-20

a fervor no less pronounced than that
of Lincoln, the Union which took a
new place in the world under Wilson, is
not accorded loyalty in any other
part of QUIZ Republic more devoted and
sincere than that which ~ constantly
manifest in the life of the people of
Virginia.
Cites Rebuilding Of South.
The main reason why we can all join
In the movement to commemorate the
deeds of immortal valor which marked
these battlef1elds is because we all
realize that out of a common expiation
our common country has been greatly
blessed. In these advantages, as it has
slowly risen from its prostration, the
South has more than amply partici-
pated. Since 1900 that progress has
been most marked. In the Southern
States alone the wealth, the manu-
factured, the mineral and the farm
products, the banking resources and the
exports are Of about the same value
today that they were in the whole
United States in 1900. The yearly pro-
duction of the farms, the mines and
the mills exceeds $4,000, ,000, 900, while
the construction contracts run about
81, 900 100000. If it is possible to judge
anything of the Importance which a
people set on spiritual values, or make
any estimate of their intellectual at
tainments by what they are expending
In construction of places Of worship and
in the support of the public schools.
some idea of the progress which the
South is making is revealed by the fact
that their school costs are twice as much
as those OF the whole country in 1900,
while on the new church buildings that
cost more than $4,000 they are ex-
pending $1,000,000 each week.
Marks National Occasion.
This day. however. is not to mark a
local or sectional occasion. 1t is to
mark a national occasion. The great
deeds which we have recalled as among
the glorieS of this commonwealth we're
national deeds. The great questions
which were at issue on these battle
fields were national questions. Out of
the decision to which they were finally
brought there has been a common ad-
vantage and common progress which
has accrued to the whole Nation. Had
the decision been otherwise we should
nave all been robbed Of a great part of
the pride which we all feel today in
our country. Her achievements of the
past years would have been divested of
much OF their value and her prospects
for the future would have been devoid
OF much Of their hope Instead of one
great country enjoying domestic peace
and progress. holding a commanding
position in the world, we should have
been a region of hostile factions, i'm
potent at home and despised abroad.
The service which we did for the cause
OF humanity in 1898. the world crisis
IN which we successfully performed our
part in 1917, would all have been I'M
possible. Long since our common
heritage would have been dissipated,
our glory would have departed.
Section animosities have disap-
peared. Industrial conflicts have al
most ceased. Her territorial integrity
is secure. Her constitutional liberties
are protected by the eternal vigilance
OF her people. Our country is still
worthy of those who have made such
great sacrifices in its behalf. still de-
termined to improve the opportunities
which those sacrifices created, still loyal
to the faith of the past, still inspired by
the hope OF the future.