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THE CONSTITUTIONALIST
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 1875.
By request of Dr. DeSassure Ford,
we publish the whole of the article al
luded to iu Sunday’s issue.
Gen. John B. Gordon, our brilliant
Senator, was in Wilmington the other
day. He was serenaded and made a
telling speech.
An important typographical error
having crept into the opinion of a legal
friend on the question of payment of
promissory notes, we reproduce it, this
morning, in a correct form, in our
Commercial column.
Hon. Alexander H. Stephens Is ex
pected to arrive in Augusta this after
noon, by the Georgia Railway train.
His headquarters will, as usual, be at
the Central Hotel.
Dispatches from Washington state
that Secretary Delano will not resign
until the clouds now hovering over his
Department are blown away. He had
better hurry up about it, or else a
Democratic Congress may send a tor
nado through his sanctum.
The Baltimoreaud Potomac Railroad
has experienced another mishap. A
very serious collision, resulting in loss
of life as well as property, occurred
yesterday. There will never be per
fect security on this road until a dou
ble track is built between the Monu
mental City and the Federal capital.
Col. Scott will have to do that if lie
wishes to rival the Baltimore and Ohio
Road. *
Ik the contest in the Ninth District
is narrowed down to Hon. Ben Hill
and Col. Estes, we think Hill ought
to triumph. As Estes puts his claim
to preferment on swallowing the
amendments and being a small potato,
we have no sympathy with him. Beji
Hill is decidedly the better man for
Congress.
There has been a desperate effort re
cently to prevent people from making
estimates of the crops, but a corres
pondent of the Perry Home Journal
prophesies that the next cotton crop
will be 5,000,000 bales, and that corn
will be sold for $5 per bushel. The
fact is estimates, wise and otherwise,
will always be made, and no law exists
compelling anybody to believe the
guesses or lose his money upon it. The
“squeal” generally comes in when the
money is lost.
The burning of the Union League
Club House in New York, like the
breaking of Sumner’s statue, is another
bad omen for the Republican party.
All the magnates of Radicalism, who
had long purses, used to color their
noses with fine wine, and hatch all
kinds of political hurly-burly at that
Club House. It may be re-b*uilt, but
perchance the warning will not be al
together lost.
It is said that after concluding his
eloquent and patriotic speech at Lex
iugton, Gen. Bartlett was approached
by a stranger, who, with tears rolling
down his cheeks, said : “ General, I am
a Southerner ; I was a good rebel, but
now I am a true Union man, and I only
needed to hear such words as yours
from a Northern man’s lips.” Bart
lett will be looming up as a candidate
for the Presidency or Vice-Presidency
.pretty soon.
The Gold Found on Staten Island.—
The New York Sun reports the follow
ing as coming from a brother-in-law,
who, it was alleged, of the man who
had thrown the gold into the cesspool
on Staten Island, found on Tuesday
last:
“The gold was not thrown into the
vault by Mr. H. C. Wiusor, myjbrother
iu-law. It was thoroughly cleaned
four years ago. Mr. Winsor was not
what he is represented to be, a de
faulter.
“ He kept his private account iu the
Mercantile Bank, and a difference arose
from It. There were mysterious dis
appearances of cash that had to be
hid, and he was selected by his supe
riors to bear the weight of their own
guilt. While he was away on a Sum
mer tour an irregularity in his private
bank account was discovered. When
he was menaced with this shame his
courage broke and he fled to Italy.
Besides a handsome inherited in
come and a fine residence near
here, he had #IO,OOO in our hands.
“The bank officers came to me—l
was <o.no of his bondsmen—and offered
to compromise. I repelled the offer,
but my fallow-bondsmen afterwards
forced me to accept it. Poor Winsor’s
house was sold, and the proceeds,
#15,00(i, were paid to the bank officers
in return for an unqualified renuncia
tion of their unjust claim against him.
He was sacrificed, in the prime of life,
when the future lay brilliant and invit
ing before him.”
The amount of gold found has not
been ascertained, as the lucky finders
refuse to reveal the extent of their
good luck.
“Sunthin’s jvrong,” mused a Ten
nessee farmer when he visited his
smoke-houso the other morning, after
setting a spring gun, and failing to
find a dead negro in front of it.
Taking It eooi—stealing ice.
M 9m londihitioiialid
MEMORIAL DAY.
AUGUSTA’S TRIBUTE TO HER
PATRIOT DEAD!
The Largest Procession Ever
Seen in the City!
The Band of the 18th U. S. In
fantry in Line!
THE LINE OF MABCH AND WHO
WERE IN IT !
LAYING THE CORNER-STONE
OF THE MONUMENT I
Eloquent Speecn of Gen. C. A. Evans
and Prayer of Dr. Irvine !
Decorating tlio Graves!
“fcHoiy Guards with Nolniii Round,
The Bivouac of the Dead.’*
Yesterday was a day of double in
terest in Augusta—the laying of the
Corner-Stone of the Confederate Monu
ment, and the decoration of the graves
of the dead. Never, in the history of
the city, was such a vast concourse of
people seen gathered together, whilst
the procession and the music eclipsed
anything ever witnessed in Georgia
since the dawn of civilisation upon its
soil! It was a tribute of the living to
the dead, a tear dropped upon the
grave of the patriot who fell in defense
of his principles, his country and of
liberty.
Ten years have elapsed since the
sound of the last gun and the last bu
gle note, fired from the ranks or rally
ing squadrons to victory, died along
the wave and along the shore, yet the
memories of those who yielded up
their lives in the Lost Cause are as
fresh and green as if it was only yes
terday they met their foemen.
in the morning.
It only required a walk along any
street in the city, from 9 to noon, to
see that elaborate preparations were
making for some grand event. Per
sons were here and tnere met with faces
only familiar whilst they were decked
in the uniform of their organizations.
The weather yas fine, a few white
clouds aloft, friendly in that t'-ey shut
off the sun and kept earth’s atmos
phere pleasant.
FORMING THE PROCESSION.
At two o’clock, the various civic and
military organizations invited to take
part in the ceremony, began to arrive
on Greene street, and as each debouch
ed it was assigned position into line by
Marshal J. V. H. Allen, through his
aids. Not the least confusion was
perceptible, but everything moved with
the precision of veterans on parade.
The right of the line rested upon the
Bell Tower, and extended down Greene
street to a great length.
When the hour of 2:30 o’clock ar
rived, Marshal Alton gave the order
to forward, which was repeated in the
clear ringing voice of Lieut. Colonel
Barrett, in command of the volunteer
battalion. The following was the
order of the procession.
FIRST DIVISION.
Richmond Hussars.
United States Post Band.
Augusta Independent Volunteer
Battl’u.
Police force of Augusta.
Deutscher Schuetzen Club.
SECOND DIVISION.
Different Societies of tho city and
county —National, Benevolent and Re
ligious.
The Cornet Band of the Bremond
Specialty Combination.
Augusta Fire Department and In
dependent Fire Companies of Augusta.
third division.
Soldiers of Hie late Confederate
armies.
The Survivors’ Association.
Citizens generally.
Medical Faculty and Society.
Judges and officials of City and
County Courts.
Clergy of city and county.
The Masonic Fraternity.
FOURTH DIVISION.
Representatives from Richmond
county in the General Assembly.
Mayor, City Council and Clerk of
Council.
Orator of the Day, escorted by com
mittee of ex-Confederate officers.
Officers of the Ladies’ Memorial
Association, and ladies generally.
First Division—On the northeast cor
ner of Greene and Jackson streets, to
Cel. Wilson.
Second Division—On the north side
of Greene, midway between *Mclntosh
and Jackson streets, to Capt. Eve.
Third Division—On the south side
of Greene street, in front of the Au
gusta Free school, to Col. Snead.
Fourth Division—On the south side
of Greene street, iu front of the Bap
tist Church, to Maj. Craig.
ROUTK'OF THE PROCESSION.
It moved up Greene to Gumming,
through Cumming to Broad, and down
Broad to the front of the Central Hotel,
where it halted for the purpose of lay
ing the corner atone of the Confederate
Monument, to be raised there by the
Ladies’ Memorial Association.
THE 18th UNITED STATES INFANTRY BAND.
One of the most striking features of
the day was the appearance of the
spleudid band of the 18th United
States Infantry in full regulation uni
form, numbering eighteen pieces, and
led by Professor Joseph Burchar. The
band arrived yesterday morning from
Columbia and were quartered at the
Augusta Hotel. On the route it played
Radeztky Quickstep, Louise March, Not
for Joe Quickstep, and upon the
stand Romauza, by Mozart. It
was as novel as it was beautiful
to see a portion of the regular
army paying tribute to the dead of
armies they had fought. It was but
another token of that era of sincere
peace and friendship upon which the
whole country is now rapidly entering
when the animosities engendered by
the strife are to be indeed forgotten
and the heroism, devotion and patrio
tism of all only remembered.
THK BREMOND BAND.
Midway of the procession marched
the fine band of the Bremond Specialty
Troupe, regaling the occasion with ex
cellent music. En route they played
the Montana Quickstep, and various
other selections, and on the stand the
American Eagle Quickstep. The Troupe
waived their right to the Theatre to
night and joined heart and soul with
our citizens in the ceremonies of the*
day.
AUGITSTA. GA„ TUESDAY MORNING. APRIL 27, 1875.
THE VOLUNTEER BATTALION.
The Augusta Volunteer Battalion
mustered 199 men, rank and file, who
appeared in their gayest uniforms, their
brightest armor, and en route march
ed with automatic precision. Never
since their organization did the com
panies present a more martial appear
ance or a larger number of men in
ranks. Many of the men had followed
the flag of the Confederacy through
fire and blood, from Manassas to Ap
pomattox, I'rom Shiloh to Greenes
boro, and therefore felt most truly
the force of tho occasion, the tribute,
and the decoration of the graves of
their fallen comrades.
MECHANIC FIRE COMPANY.
The only fire company which turned
out as a body was the Mechanic, which
was on hand in full uniform, muster
ing 35 men, and with their reel gaily
festooned with flowers. Other compa
nies would have turned out, but their
ranks were too much thinned by the
members belonging to other organiza
tions.
THE SCHUETZEN CLUB.
Not the least attractive feature was
the Schuetzen Club, composed of our
worthy German citizens. They turned
out 77 men in full uniform of gray
jackets, black pants, and felt hats
trimmed with green plumes.
THE POLICE FORCE.
Nor did the Augusta Police Force,
in full and beautiful gre-y uniform, com
manded by Lieut. Prather, at all fall
behind other organizations in line, in
appearance or in martial bearing. They
were armed with muskets, with fixed
bayonets, and re upon eveiy hand
complimented
THE SURVIVORS.
This organization appeared on horse
back, under command of Capt. George
W. Conway, and in citizens’ dress,
unless we count the scars, the crutches
and the empty sleeves many of them
wore as evidences of baptisms of tire.
SOOIETE FRANCAIS DE BIENFAISANCE.
The French Benevolent Society, uu
der the leadership of Vice President
Rival, and numbering II members, was
in line.
THE ORATOR OF THE DAY,
Gen. C. A. Evans, was assigned the fin
est carriage in the city, diawn by four
splendid and richly caparisoned and
plumed horses.
THE LADIES’ MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION.
The officers of the Ladies’ Memorial
Association, headed by Mrs. M. E.
Walton, their President, were seated
in carriages in the procession. When
it arrived at the Monument Mrs. Wal
ton, with several of her officers, took a
position upon the front verandah of
the residence of Mrs. Tubman, where
they no doubt looked upon the vast
panorama before them with joyful
hearts. They there saw a glorious ter
mination of all their labor and their
toil, and saw, too, ten thousand people
who, with one voice, blessed their
work and said it was good. If the
Confederates who have passed from
earth to eternity were permitted to
look down upon Augusta yesterday, to
hear the cannon roar, the martial mu
sic, and the sweet anthems of the
choir, as they swelled through the air,
they no doubt blessed Mrs. Walton
and her noble band of co-laborers for
thus doing honor to thorn. Is it not a
glorious death to be thus remembered,
thus embalmed in the hearts of all
that is beautiful, virtuous, noble, true
and Christian ?
NOTES OF THE PROCESSION.
Judge Wm. Gibson, Colonel of the
48th Georgia, wore the coat iu which
he fell at the head of his regiment at
Gettysburg. N. Iv Butler also ap
peared in his old Confederate uniform.
So did private Moran, who not only
charged in the Light Brigade at Bal
laklava, but saw service in the army
of the Confederacy.
THE SALUTE.
Whilst the procession was moving, a
salute of thirteen guns was fired by
Capt. E. E. Pritchard and Lieutenants
Robt. Wallace and Richard Summerall.
Surmounting the gun, waved the battle
flag of the Washington Artillery,
around which that company had ral
lied on the bloody plains of Shiloh and
conquered the flower of the Western
army under Grant, frosh from their
victory at Fort Donaldson. The wri
ter remembers as vividly as if it was
yesterday the roar of the guns of that
company, as they sent death into the
ranks of the enemy who stood in front.
It was the only company present from
Georgia on that bloody day, and nobly
did it illustrate the State which sent
it to the field.
■ THE SPECTACLE.
The spectacle presented on Broad
street near the Monument defies de
scription. Tho street was packed and
jammed, whilst eveiy window and
housetop, from pavement to roof, con
tained as many as it could hold. It
was not only a sea of upturned faces,
but a wall of faces on either side.
Youth and age, male and female, the
child and the old, in a word, the popu
lation of Augusta and the surrounding
country were there.
AT THE MONUMENT.
When the procession arrived at the
Monument, or rather the foundation
of it, Col. Barrett marched the Volun
teer Battalion to the east front, and
faced it by column dosed in mass,
where it stacked arms and broke
ranks. The other organizations halted
on the South front and rested iu posi
tion until after the ceremony.
ON THE STAND
were the Grand Officers of the Masonic
Fraternity, the Marshal of the Day, the
clergy, the bands, the choir lead by
Geo. O. Robinson, who had a fine
organ which he played in person dur
ing the singing, and a large list of dis
tinguished citizens of this and other
places. When all was ready, the gavel
was rapped throe times for order, when
THE REV. DR. IRVINE.
offered the first prayer. In his preface
he referred to the altar erected by
Moses to commemorate the conquest
of the Amalekites in the wilderness.
To the twelve stones from the bed of
the Jordan, pitched by Joshua on the
plains of Uilgol, and to the altar erect
ed by Gideon to commemorate the con
quest by his three hundred warriors,
“ faint, yet pursuing,” who vanquished
the 135,000 Midlonites at the hill of
Moreh. He then invoked the Divine
Blessing on the founders of this
pillar.
On the widows and orphans, fathers
and brothers and sisters of the brave
njeu. whose valour this pillar is design
edto commemorate.
On the city of Augusta in all its in
terests, civil municipal, commercial,
educational and ecclesiastical in which
pthe monument is to stand.
On the Supreme Magistrate of the
United States, and all the Governors
of the sundry States of which this
great Republic is composed.
And concluded by praying that
Jehovah-Sbalom may be the covenant
God of the nation, and that the land
may soon become Immanuel’s Laud,
Closing his extensive and fervent
supplications with the Lord’s prayer.
After which the choir sang an anthem,
commencing—
When Earth’s foundation first was laid
By tho Almighty Artist’s hand,
Twas then our perfect laws were made,
Established by His strict command.
CHORUS.
Hail mysterious, hail glorious Masonry,
That makes us ever great and free!
At the conclusion of which the United
States band played Mozart’s “ Ro
manza.”
LAYING THE CORNER-STONE.
The corner-stone was then lowered
slowly to its resting place, placed in
position, measured and dedicated by
pouring wheat, wine and oil upon it
by Grand Master C. F. Lewis, assisted
by the grand dignitaries and members
of the Masonic Order. We deem it un
necessary to copy all the words spoken,
as the service is too well known to
many of our readers to be interest
ing here. The following
GRAND LODGE OFFICERS
were present: C. F. Lewis, Acting
Grand Master; S. D. Heard, Deputy
Grand Master; John S. Davidson,
Senior Grand Warden; John D. Butt,
Junior Grand Warden; Dr. F. J. Moses,
Grand Treasurer; W. H. Crane, Grand
Secretary; S. F. Webb, Senior Deacon;
H Brandt, Junior Deacon; Rev. C. W.
Key, Grand Chaplain and Bearer of
Sacred Writings; W. H. Rich, 11. T.
Doniphan, Grand Tylers; Wm. Muller,
Dr. C. H. Greene, Grand Stewards;
Bearers of Clements—-Dr. I. P. Garvin,
corn; B. B. Russell, oil; T. J. Stafford,
wiue; Light Bearers—S. H. Shepard,
Johu T. Miller and H. Edmondston;
Geo. O. Robinson, Organist.
THE CHOIR
was made up of different choirs.
Judge W. T. Gould was first appointed
by the Grand Master to act for him,
but at the last moment was prevented
by illness from officiating.
THE CONTENTS OF THE CORNER STONE.
Senior Grand Warden John S David
son read the following list of articles
and mementoes placed in the stone :
Religious. —Holy writings ; St. Paul’s
Church, established 1750 ; St. John’s
M. E. Church, established 1797 ; First
Presbyterian Church, established 1808;
First Baptist Church, established 1818;
Christian Church, established 1845;
Church of the Atonement, established
1851; Congregation Children of Israel,
established 1854; St. James M. E.
Church, established 1855; Asbury M.
E. Church, established 1857 ; German
Lutheran Church, established 1859;
Second Baptist Church, established
1859; Church of the Good Shepherd,
established 1809; Church of the Sacred
Heart, established 1875: St. Luke’s
Mission, established 1875.
Officers of County and City.— Roll of
couuty officers; roll of city officers.
Societies. —Hebrew Benevolent Socie
ty; Deutscher Schuetzen Club, estab
lished 1873; Officers Ladies’ Memorial
Association; Officers and Members of
French Benevolent Society, established
1873; Roll of Washington Lodge, No. 7,
I. O. O. F., established 1844: Roll of
Miller Lodge, No. 10,1. O. O. F.; Roll of
Augusta Encampment, No. 5,1. O. O. F.,
established 1845; Roll of Good Tem
plars; Roll of St. Andrew’s Society, or
ganized 182 G, Roll of O.badiah Lodge,
No. 119, I. O. B. 8., organized 1867;
Roll of Catholic Young Men’s Society;
Roll of Vigilant Lodge, K. of P., No. 2;
roll of the Hibernian Benevolent Socie
ty, organized in 1867 ; Georgia Society
for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals,
organized in 1873; officers of Widows’
Home, organized iu 1868.
Educational —Roll of Medical College
of Georgia, 1832; Roll of Richmond
Academy, 1783; Report of Commis
sioner of Public Schools, Richmond
county; Report of Commissioner State
Schools for 1875; Catalogue of Sigma
Alpha Epsilon Society; Managers Au
gusta Free School; Roll of B. Noely’s
School; Roll of J. A. Pelot’s School;
Roll of Houghton Institute, 1852.
Miscellaneous —Roll of Augusta Fire
Department and independent com
panies ; roll of Southorn Express Com
pany ; Confederate postage stamps
and bills, by numerous parties ; Con
federate bonds, by various parties;
Confederate bills and checks, by J. O.
Mathowson ; small Confederate flag, by
Mrs. I. P. Garvin ; issue of Chronicle
and Sentinel, April £sth, 1875 ; issue
of Constitutionalist, April 25th, 1875;
Various coins, thirty-seven in all, by
R. W. Potter ; French coin, 1748, by Dr.
J. S. Coleman, found in front of Con
wallis cave, Yorktown, Virginia ; coins
from various parties; Egyptian gold
coin, contributed by Gen.* Jenifer, of
Egyptian army; £lO S. C. continen
tal money, by Mrs. Moore; Revo
lutionary money, by Mrs. Burt O.
Miller; Silver coin, 1724, by Amos
Clark ; Proprietors and employees of
Constitutionalist Publishing Cos., 1875;
Military— Confederate dead from the
Monument of St. James Church; Mus
ter Roll of Montgomery Guards, Cos.
K. 20th Georgia Regiment, by Maj.
Wm. Craig; Roll of Walker Light In
fantry, Cos. D and F, 12t,h Georgia
Battalion; Roll of Walker Light Infan
try, Cos. I Ist Georgia Regiment; Roil
of Cos. A, 7th Georgia Cavalry; Roll of
Clinch Rifles, Cos. A, sth Georgia Regi
ment; Roll of Oglethorpe Infantry,
1861, Capt. J. O. Clark; Roll of Ogle
thorpe Artillery, 1862, by G. W. Bou
chillon; Roll of Washington Artil
lery, with list of killed and wound
ed; Capt. C. W. Hersey’s Company,
roll of Richmond Hussars, Cos. A., 1861;
roll of Schley Riflemen, Cos. A., 22d
Georgia regiment; roll of Baker Vol
unteers, Oet. Ist, 1861; roll of Inde
pendent Blues, Cos. D, 10th Georgia
regiment; roll of Confederate Light
Guards, Capt. E. J. Walker; roll of
Richmond Hussars, Cos. B ; roll of
Georgia Light Guards, H. S. Dortic,
Captain ; surviving members of Clinch
Riflemen, organized 1836, Captain E.
Starnes; roll of Richmond Hussars,
1875; roll of Augusta Volunteer Bat
talion, T. G. Barrettr, Lieutenant Colo
nel.
Masonic. —Roll of Augusta Chapter
No. 2, R. A. M., 1796 ; Roll of Social
Lodge No. 1, F. A M., 1799 ; Roll of
Webb Lodge No. 166, F. A. M.. 1819 ;
Roll of Adoniram Council No. 1, R. M.
& S. M. of 27,1822 ; Roll of Ga. Gom
mandery No. 1, K. TANARUS., 1823 ; Roll of
Grand Consistory, S. P. R. S. 82° ; Roll
of Harmony Lodge No. 67, F. A. M.,
Hamburg, 8. C., 1840 ; Roll oX Trustees
Masonic Hall, 1827 ; Roll of Present
Trustees Masonic Hall, 1875; Sealed
package by a Freemason, contents
unknown.
ORATION OF QEN. C. A. EVANS.
Marshal J. V. H. Allen then stepped
forward and introduced the Ora
tor of the Day, the Rev. Gen, C. A.
Evans, who speke as follows ;
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Tho first decade since the Con
federate cause expired by tho exhaus
tion of Confederate strength is past.
If time and the occasion suited such a
task, a profitable review might be made
of this period, beginning with the sur
render of our armies by the incompara
ble Lee, and by the magnificent soldier,
Joseph E. Johnston. Such a review
would, indeed, awaken many painful
reflections and revive the memory of
many distressing humiliations which
we have suffered. But as it progressed
through the ten painful years, to the
present brightening beginning of
another decade, it would also bring us
to the happy conclusion that in the
mind of the people of all these United
States there is a national reverence for
popular rights, a deeply seated faith in
the old maxims of our Government,
and withal a respect for valor and vir
tue which are not extinguished, and
cannot be much longer repressed. The
long dispute between the Northern and
Southern sections as such, which be
gan iu earnest fifty years ago, which
had its four years reaping on fields of
fraternal carnage, and its ten years
aftermatter of crimination, distrust
and misrule, is, I fervently hope, prac
tically drawing to a close. We at least
are here to-day from all parts of the
Nation—Confederates and Federals—
native and foreign born, with our sons
and daughters, to say with united
voice, “let sectional strife cease!”
We assemble at woman’s call—a call
that men may gladly obey—to lay the
corner stone of a monument which the
Ladies’ Memorial Association will build
In memory of the Confederate Cause
and the Confederate Dead. Dovmi be
neath the surface, in the soil of the
State or Georgia for which those sol
diers bled, the same fair hands that
waved them to the field of battle have
laid the first seven solid bricks of that
Memorial Monument which shall rise
in granite and marble to say that thus
the memory of those heroic men is
rooted deeply in the hearts of their sur
vivors.
It is not mau’s privilege, but woman’s
to raise these memorials throughout
the laud. The fitness of things com
mands us to yield to her the foremost
place iu this pleasing duty. Her smile
encouraged our ardent youth to
put on the armor of war. Her
voice cheered them into the thick
of battle. Her sympathies fol
lowed them like angels through the
dreary toils of camp aud march and
seige; her hands bound up their
wounds, aud her tears fell upon their
cold, pale, bloody corses. Aud before
the smoke of battle had fairly cleared
away she stood up iu Georgia first of
all and said, “Wo will build memorials
to our falleu meu.” It is her voice
agaiu calls us together - now. Aud the
response by this great multitude, com
posed of various civil orders and soci
eties and military organizations, with
citizens and matrons, young men and
maidens, displays the depth and
breadth of that popular sentiment
which is in sympathy with tho woman
ly pathos which proseculos the memo
rial enterprise. I desire to say some
thing concerning this public sentiment.
It defends and deserves considera
tion.
Augusta has its various institutions
of practical charity. Tho orphan is
comforted and cared for In an ample
asylum. Home is to be had and enjoy
ed by the venrable and desolate widow.
Hospitals are open to the sick. For
every color aud race benevolance has
made provision. And thus this good
Samaritan city dispenses its alms ig
practical good-will to men. But some
thing is due to that sentiment of the
people which will not be satisfied with
any institution of charity however pub
lic and efficient it might be. There is
a popular sentiment concerning the
Confederate Cause which seeks ex
pression. It must have a language in
which to make itself understood. A
kindred feeling, existing in its crudest
state even among the Red Men who
once tented on this spot, found a
tongue in the mounds of rock and earth
which they built above the graves of
their chieftains. Other people better
cultured and skilled have raised the
arch of triumph and uplifted the mon
umental obelisk in order to utter the
common emotion. At great cost the
Vendome Column, in Paris—twice
built, twice destroyed—spoke the feel
ing of France. So, too, the Bunker
Hill Monument is the voice of patriot
ism which the recent Centennial cere
monies in Concord and Lexington have
echoed. Adjacent t<s this spot an
other stately colum also rises that
tells the story of public devotion to
“ the Declaration of Independence ”
and to the men who ventured life to
become its signers. Lower down an
other graceful monument stands to
witness the heartfelt reverence of the
people for the valor that evoked its
voice. And now when this shaft shall
ascend from its spacious plinth
it will be a lasting token of
the public spirit of revereuce
and affection with which the living
houor tho brave men who died in their
behalf. That sentiment will take form
in sculptured aud lettered marble shaft.
It will concrete in granite base. It will
be crystallized into visible and beauti
ful form through the patriotic work of
this Memorial Association. Is not this
feeling that seeks expression by col
umns, or arches, or garlands most na
tural? Is not the sentiment that de
mands this monument most noble? Is
not the monument itself the just due
of those who asked no leward in dying
for their country but to be remembered
with affection ? It was all they asked—
to be remembered.
Shall we not grant them that boon ?
Can we forget those men? Can we
ever dismiss from our minds the re
collection of the buoyant and brave
boys in gray who went gallantly to die
for our State? Can monument ether
than that invisible national reverence
for patriotism, whose base spreads from
ocean to ocean, and whose pitmacle
the stars that keep watch over their
honored graves, satisfy the claims
which those fallen men have upon us ?
I have no doubt of the public utility
of all these monuments which gentle
women are building everywhere. It is
worthy this occasion to say that while
the shaft which shall spring from
this spot will be the tongue
of popular sentiment it will also be a
conservator of the popular patriotism.
Such things make men love their coun
try, because they teach that the coun
try honors patriotic devotion. They
will keep the popular heart drawn to the
original principles and policies of this
Government. For they are declarations
of faith in those early maxims, Thoy
are not speard set against the common
nation, but beacons to guide the young
Southern statesmen who shall hereafter
man the ship of State. In common with
others of like character which shall
adorn every city of the South, this
monument will mould and preserve
Southern opinion. For the popular re
collections of the brave and virtuous
which it shall constantly a waken,and the
recalling of tlie principles and actions of
those who have borne noble parts in
this life are the great conservators of
popular character. Thus these monu
ments will serve the highest patriotic
uses in their influences on the opinions
and actions of the people and by indi
rection at least will benefit not the
South alone, but the whole country
also. For I do not hesitate to affirm
in the prc :ence of this great multitude
of intelligent people that this country
cannot go to ruin, that it cannot drift
into despotism, that it cannot lose its
distinctive character as a Republic of
republics without the consent and as
sistance of the Southern people. Ambi
tion may aspire to single handed 1 ale;
party may plot to perpetuate its power
by prostration of popular liberty; ma
jorities may conspire against the
Constitution, but the foundations in
which free government was laid in this
quarter of the world cannot bo sub
verted until the sentiment, the ideas of
the States which formed the Confed
eracy are totally changed. I mean no
boast, I only affirm that Southern ideas
are still rooted in the old maxims of the
first revolution, and they were not sur
rendered when the Confederate flag
was furled and Lee gave his sword to
Grant. I am glad, indeed, that it was
not the general opinion of the Federal
side in that surrender that such opinions
were overthrown. If the Tall of the
South meant the surrender of its con
victions, the recanting its faith in
popular rule, the obliteration of
State sovereignty, if th’s was un
derstood North and South as the great
result of the war, then it is impossible
to understand the history of the past
ten years of struggle over those prin
ciples. It is also impossible to under
stand the present significant move
ment throughout tho nation toward
what is better than all teconstruction,
to-wit—the recognition of tho honor
able terms of the treaty of surrender,
and recognition of the just relation of
the Southern people to the General
Government.
You have noted the unsuccessful
surges of many measures that have
rolled against this rock of sound un
relinquished opinion during the de
cade just closed. Measures designed
to destroy the country by washing
away the foundations of these States
have broken in Impotent billows about
the base of the country’s solid patriot
ism, and now in the recoil are bearing
their authors to ruin. Fellow-country
men, the plotters against the general
welfare of this great country have had
just power enough to bruise the heel of
public virtue, but we shall not have to
wait another deoado to witness with
what vigor the outraged popular patri
otism of tiie whole land shall rise in its
indignation and bruise their head. To
such a hope this monument will point
us. It is the voice of our tender feel
ings ; it conserves our patriotism ; it
rallies our courage; and it gilds our
sky with this hope.
But let us do nothing, fellow-citizens,
to keep alive the passions of war. To
study its lessons is prudence. To profit
by its teachings is wisdom. But to
stir up the old animosities is madness.
The voice of this monument will not be
for war but peace. You yourselves
would justly rebuke me to-day were I
to abuse this occasion by an effort to
arouse your resentment. One theme
of two indissoluble thoughts-—our Con
federacy, our Bead—alone fills our
mind, and this theme must be dwelt
upon without the indulgence of re
vengeful feelings. The monument
itself will say to us that the Con
federacy has expired. Its groat lifo
went out on the purple tide of blood that
flowed from the hearts of its sons. It had
a brief and brilliant course. It stepped
out on the field where history is made
in majesty of bearing like a queen
girded with power and cinctured with
grace. The States panoplied them
selves in principle, and going forth to
battle wrested their first arms from an
antagonist of five-fold superior
strength. The nations of the world,
refusing timely recognition, stood still
to admire the splendor of their
achievments and the wonder of their
endurance. Succumbed at last in ex
haustion of all save devotion to the
original question at issue, they yield
ed all except their faith in the true
principles and policy of the common
nation. Now, conceding to all the
perfect liberty of honest opinon, I
say for myself that I believe
the States were right in making
the original issue. It was right to re
pel aggression by resistance. It was
right to set up a separate government
for that purpose. It was right to hold
out to the bitter end. Right! Right!
from first to last, from beginning to end.
I have only one poor shattered life, but
I hold that in too light esteem to save it
by recanting my faith in the truth of our
struggle, or by denying my love for the
Confederate cause. But the Confed
eracy itself has expired. We have
buried it. We do not intend to exhume
its remains. We were utterly defeated,
and we dismiss our resentments. Sadly
we furled the dear old cross of stars
which we followed through many storms
of shot and shell, but we take with the
true hand of Southern honor the
staff that holds the flag of stars
and stripes. 1 respond with truest
feeling to-day to the fraternal words
of Gen. Bartlett, of Massachusetts,
spoken on the 19th of this April at the
Centennial celebration of the first battle
of the old revolution. Referring to the
Southern soldiers he said, “As an
American I am proud of the men who
charged so bravely with Pickett’s
Division on our lines at Gettysburg, as
I am of the men who bravely met and
repulsed them there. Men cannot al
ways choose the right cause, but when,
having chosen that which their con
science dictated they are ready to die
for it, if they justify not their cause,
they at least ennoble themselves, and
the men who for conscience sake
fought against their Government at
Gettysburg ought easily to be for
given by tho sons of the men who
for conscience sake fought against
their Government at Lexington and
Bunker Hill.”
But let us remember, also, that al
though the Confederate States, as a
government, is no more, there are many
things which have survived the fall of
the cause. We have yet “ the Land
we Love.” The South is still our own.
’Tis the shrine of the sun,
'Tia the home of the heart,
No sky like its own
(Jan deep passion impart.
The Swiss may sing hta patriotic
carol to his lofty hills, and the German
tell with prido tho glory of his Father
land \ Ireland, in omerald beauty, may
still entrance the imagination of its
warm-hearted sons, but for me there is
no laud like this. No clime so rare, no
place so dear. I think that we have
not yet learned to appreciate our South.
It has been thus far almost a hidden
land. Our own eyes have not yet be
held its greater glory, and strangers
have been slow to reeognize its worth.
But there is a waking in the world to
the charms of this chosen realm that
is already moving explorers to tra
verse its scope even to the lower
verge of our sister Floral State.—
No prophet need arise to tell us
that this central part of the Western
world, that stands related by climate
and position to the greatest mod
ern progress, as ancient Egypt and
old Phoenicia stood to the former
times,will, ere long, take rich tribute in
people, wealth, cultureand virtue from
all lands. There is hope of greater and
better days. On a certain royal es
cutcheon is inscribed the motto • “ I
bide my time.” We have but to be
true, and work, and wait. Our South
is uo Niobe of nations, as the brilliant
poet wrote of one subjugated people.
She will not weep in unsolaced grief
over her children’s graves, nor yield
herself to the apathy of despair be
cause of her defeat; but rising, like the
sun from the tomb of night, will ascend
the steep of progress, knowledge and
virtue. But I cannot dismiss your
attention yet, nor complete my part
of this memorable ceremony until
I have said another word* This
day and this sceno recall not.
only the Confederate cause, but most
vividly our “Confederate dead.” We
are reminded of the brave and courtly
cavaliers who bled in our behalf. Yet
we assemble neither to rejoice nor to
vainly mourn. We breathe no vain
signs, utter no useless regrets, and
make no empty vaunts. But w c unite
together, whether from North or South,
whether native born or adopted citizen
—we join in paying the tribute that is
due to honest and chivalrous patriot
ism. This corner stone shall receive
the chrism of our united blessing.
Flowers shall fall from the hands of all
to deck the graves of those who repose
within our city, aud memory shall
wreathe her chain of gentlest garlands
for those who sleep in distant States
and unknown graves. Our dead are re
posing in ranks by regiments.—
Ours was a bloody war. In the
record of Grecian struggles there
is one conflict called the “ tearleas
battle,” bemuse no blood was shed.
But no such battle was fought on
Southern soil. Wherever the Grey
and the Blue met, courage met cour
age, and blood flowed like water.—
When the battle was over the news of
mortal casualties sped over the coun
try, bearing sadness to hundreds and
thousands of homes. You shudder
as you recall those days. Your eyes
fill with the uprising tear that presses
its way from the deep of the heart
where the living spring of the old love
still lies. Thus we honor to-day with
recollections, tears, and other tributes,
those men of whom it does not become
us to speak save with uncovered head
and unsandalled feet. You will suffer
me to say without reserve that my
heart is to-day in the graves of my
fellow-eomrade3. This is the time of
my trist, when I give myself to them
in tender recollection. While I live this
will be to me a sacred day. Forty years
hence, if by reason of strength, i shall
attain my fourscore years 1 will staud
uncovered, aud reverent by the graves
of our honored Dead. Four years with
them in the thick and heat of tfieir
hardest encounters, with them to suffer
thirst and hunger, fatigue and danger,
battles and wounds, victory and defeat,
hope aud despair, have woven my
heart’s affections with the woof of their
lives. God gave mo no brother, but
my sacrificed country has given me
thousands. If they needed further vin
dication than has been already made
for their fealty to the States that gave
them birth or adopted them as sons I
could not be content until the full argu
ment was held before the forum of the
world’s judgment. But vindication has
already come. What tho sword lost
reason will win. A decade of experience
has accumulated proof and strengthen
ed the voice of reason. A few years of
fury did indeed sweep clouds of passion
across the country, and stir up the
dust of prejudice to blind its better
judgment. For a time it seemed that
power was in the hand of madness,
and, reckless of results, would write
“treason” on the front of the Confed
erate cause, and “traitor” on the brow
of President Davis and General Lee.
But the world cried out, “For Shame 1”
Federal soldiers, who had crossed
bayonets and exchanged shots with us
on many battle fields, cried out, “For
Shame 1” And thus madness was
checked by the justice of mankind,
aud cowered before the indignation of
courage. Our soldiers need no further
vindication. Their vaior, their patri
otism, their worth are acknowledged.
They sleep in graves that are honored
wherever the story of their devotion
is told. From all quarters come trib
utes to their worth. An intelligent sol
dier, who know well the truth of what
he wrote has recorded his belief that:
“The world has never produced a body
of men superior in courage, patriotism
aud endurance to the private soldiers
of the Confederate armies.” He says:
“I have seen them perform deeds which
if done in days of yore by mailed war
riors would have Inspired the harp of
minstrel and the pen of poet.” A Fed
eral officer of high rauk exclaimed in a
public address before an appreciative
Northern audience: “That Army of
Northern Virginia! Who can help look
ing back upon them now with feelings
half fraternal! Reduced to dire ex
tremity at times, yet always ready to
fight, and knowing well how to make a
field illustrious! Main force against
main force! When valor like their’s
was exhausted the sun went down on
thousands dead but not one van
quished” Men distinguished as states
men and as military men on the other
Atlantic shore have taken up the pen
to record their high estimate of Con
federate valor, fortitude and skill.
\es, in every sense and from every
quarter the welcome vindication comes
We have not asked the Federal soldier
or citizen to say that our secession was
right. Fair difference of opinion may
be indulged on that uuestion. But
we hear with fraternal gladness the
tributes which they pay to the honesty
of our motives and the valor of our
troops.
And now, what I have said in a
general view of our Southern cause
country and soldiery has special
force in regard to the devotion of this
city and county, from first to last to
the fortues of the Confederate States
Augusta was among the first cities
ct_l among the last to yield I
Richmond county sent the flower of
its youth immediately to the field. Its
distinguished Wright, whose manly
form we miss to-day, was thundering
along the shores of North Carolina
with fragments of his regiment before
the country at large knew that war
had really bogun. Many of its sons
became chieftains in the great struggle,
and with their no Jess valorous com
rades in the ranks, made their oity and
their county, their State and country
illustrious. It was my own good for
tune to have had command of
some of those men whom
Riohmond and Augusta sent
to the field. Your artillery and infan
try have both been with me often in
JS r ew Series—Vol. 3, No. 80
the deadly encounters of the war. and
I can testify how truly and bravely
they bore themselves under tho fiercest
firo. I. too, have seen some of j’oui
sons fall, and will go with you to-dav
to mourn their loss.
This city and county sent ta the field
two companies of artillery, six of cav
alry, and fourteen of infantry, besides
Jackson’s battalion. The ranks of
these companies were sadly thinned
by the oft recurring battles, but they
were from time to time filled up until
scarcely any remained in the city or
county but the aged, the disabled aud
the children. How many fell has not
yet been exactly ascertained. But we
miss to-day many, many noble forms.
Some of them sleep in yonder eemete-
O'- Some fill graves in other parts of
the State. Some lie buried in tho cem
eteries of other States. Others rest
in the “ unknown ” graves on the fields
where they fell, and no man knows
their tomb.
“ But had they not high honor—
The heavens for their pall—
n, state, while angels wait
'yth stars for tapers tali.
And the dark old pines with toss in
plumes,
O’er their biers to wave,
And God's own hand in the distant land.
To lay them In the grave.”
Let them all sleep in their warrior
tombs! Let them live in the love of
their countrymen. Let them be hon
ored by this monument, and be held in
reverence for their unselfish patriot
ism and unsurpassed valor by the ages
to come.
Their. glory shall not bo forgot
w hile Fame her record keeps.
Or Honor points the hallowed spot
Where valor proudly sleeps.
The Benediction was pronounced by
the Rev. Mr. Sweeney, when
THE PROCESSION WAS REFORMED
in the order in which it first marched
and proceeded to the Cemetery.
AT THE CEMETERY.
As the procession entered the Ceme
tery at the middle gate, the leading
baud played a beautiful dead march,
to which the military organizations
kept time in stepping. Moving down
the main drive it filed to the right,
when the soldiers’ section was reached,
aud the head of the column marched
around to the east side of the Con
federate section, the organizations
in the rear halting on the south side
and facing north. Arms were stacked
and ranks broken t® allow the mem
bers of the several participating or
ganizations to move about as suited
them best and see the decorations.
SALUTES.
As the procession was moving down
Greene street, after coming through
Monument street, Oglethorpe Infantry,
Cos. B, saluted at the monument in
front of the City Hall erected to the
memory of the Georgia signers of the
Declaration of Independence. When
the procession reached the monument
erected in front of St. James’ Church
to the memory of the Confederate dead
of Augusta aud Richmond county, the
Battalion halted and gave a geueral
salute.
AT THE CEMETERT,
There was an immense crowd pres
ent during the afternoon. Long before
the procession started from Broad
street there was a very large number
of people who went in advance to tho
cemetery to view the decorations made
during the day. The number of ladies
present, with young people afkl chil
dren, was probably larger than on any
previous Decoration Day since tho
war. The graves were
DECORATED BEAUTIFULLY,
many of them attracting marked atten
tion. The late Spring season created
a fear that there would be a scarcity
of flowers, but there was a generous
outpouring on the part of all who had
flower gardens, and a full supply was
furnished for the decorations. Among
the more notable decorations we
would mention were those of the
graves marked “ Unknown,” of which
there are several. On two of them two
Confederate flags were consfructed of
flowers, with a full flower basket, cross
and bouquet. The “Unknown” to
the right of these was decorated with
boquets and flowers spread over the
grave. Next to the ‘right of these
graves was another “ Unknown,”
which had flowers spread over it, and
in thlTcentre a miniature flag staff, to
which was attached a Confederate na
tional flag, with .two small flags at the
bottom. Another grave of an “ Un
known ” received marked attention—a
piece of poetry was placed on the head
stone of this grave. On others, wreaths
and crosses were placed by the hands
of our lovely aud devoted women.
On the grave of A. M. Drake, a tall
pyramid was constructed of mess and
encircled with evergreens and white
flowers, with an evergreen cross at the
bottom.
On the opposite side of the section
a large stump of a tree was utilized for
the same purpose , being enveloped in
moss aud encircled by evergreen, mak
ing a neat pyramid.
On the grave of A. J. Newman, Geor
gia, were the words, “A Martyr for a
Noble Cause,” in green, gold frosted.
Another grave had a high arch over it,
with hangiug baskets of flowers. . The
grave of £.* L. Bridges had over it
hanging baskets with mosses and ever
greens, with flowers. On this grave
were large letters in arbor vibe making
the words:
“FOR HIS MOTHER.”
This was done by a lady of this city,
who not long since received a letter
from the mother of the deceased, liv
ing in Alabama, who requested that
a few flowers should be placed upon
her son’s grave. On several graves
there were beautiful crosses, construc
ted of ivy leaves, evergreens and ce
dars, made by the family of Mr. M. A.
Ransom, of South Carolina.
A number of graves in private sec
tions were handsomely decorated in
addition to those in the soldiers’ sec
tion. The members of the Washing
ton Artillery decorated the graves of
several members of their corps, and
especially made a handsome decora
tion of the grave of their former Lieu
tenant, A. Speliers, In Maj. Girardey’s
section.
In fact, the decorations were so pro
fuse that it is next to impossible to
designate them farther, but we must
mention one fact. The
GRAVE OF COL. JAMES GARDNER,
besides other flowers placed upon it,
was decorated by a very handsome
wreath and large boquet, sent to Au
gusta for the purpose by a number of
ladies of Edgefield county, S. C. We
regret that the crowded state of our
columns this morning prevents us from
giving the letter in full which accom
panied the flowers. It was a well de
served tribute to the memory of a man
who made a noble fight with pen and
words, and was considered one of the
ablest defenders of the South in her ex
tremity, in his journalistic capacity.
[Continued, on Fourth Page. ] '