Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 18.djvu/113

 Point Lookout. 1 1 3

above us prompts to do honor to our illustrious dead and contribute pittance to cheer the destitute who fought nobly and now endure uncomplainingly. We cherish in our hearts no feelings of disloyalty, neither do we regret the failure to establish the Confederacy. The war was inevitable. Inflamed as were the two sections of our country, the one stigmatizing the Constitution as " a league with hell and a covenant with death," while leading statesman of the other taunted the fanatical anti-slavery sentiment with the boast that " they would live to call the roll of their slaves at the foot of Bunker Hill," there was no arbitrament for the "irrepressible conflict" but the sword. True we fought for a constitutional right, yet better violence to that than the perpetuity of an institution which was the fruitful source of "all our woes." Eliminated of its radical feature, time will right the wrong that was done " State's Rights" (already we see the " Old Ship of State" gradually drifting back to her rightful course), while slavery, that was surely sapping the " bone and sinew " of this Southland of ours, is gone forever. Entertaining these sentiments, which I believe are those of our entire section, when I hear men like Foraker questioning the loyalty of the South to the Union, I feel that they but insult our intelligence and good faith. When they pour upon our heads the vials of their bitterness I am almost constrained to exclaim with old Jacob, "Cursed be their anger for it is fierce; and their wrath for it is cruel." They have yet to learn and appre- ciate this Southern people ; and to their unjust criminations I can but retort in the words of Evan Macombich, when the mob sneered at his promise to come back and redeem his chief, " they ken neither the heart of a Hielandman, nor the honor of a gentleman."

POINT LOOKOUT.

Address before Pickett Camp Confederate Veterans, October 10, iSoo.

BY PAST COMMANDER CHARLES T. LOEHR.

[Richmond (Va.) Times, October 11, 1890.]

George E. Pickett Camp Confederate Veterans held a meeting which was largely attended last night. Past Commander Charles T.