Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 20.djvu/375

 Unveiling of Statue of General A. P. Hill.

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statesman, orator, patriot Jefferson Davis all these will teach our children's children that these men were not "rebels," and not ''traitors," but as true patriots as the world ever saw.

A WORTHY WORK WELL DONE.

But I do not hesitate to declare that none of these monuments have been, or will be, more worthily erected than the one we are to unveil here to-day to A. P. Hill a worthy comrade of that bright

I galaxy of leaders which made the name and fame of the Southern Confederacy immortal forever. And now it only remains for me not to introduce, for I shall not presume to do thai to an audience of Vir- ginians and of Confederate soldiers, but simply to announce the orator of the occasion.

The lieutenant-colonel and intimate friend of A. P. Hill, his suc- cessor in command of the old Thirteenth Virginia regiment; the man whose heroic courage and high soldierly qualities attracted the atten- tion of Lee and Jackson, and caused them to select him to command the old "Stonewall" brigade, which he ably led until shot down in the "bloody angle" at Spotsylvania Courthouse; the man who suc- ceeded the gallant and lamented John Pegram, and led Swell's

J (Early's) old division around Petersburg and to Appomattox Court- house; the man who was always at the post of duty, was one of the bravest and best soldiers and most indomitable patriots that the war produced that man has been fitly chosen to speak of A. P. Hill on this occasion, and it gives me peculiar pleasure to announce the name, General James A. Walker, of Wytheville, Virginia, or if my loved and honored old friend and commander will pardon the liberty, I will announce him by a name more familiar still to his old followers and comrades, "Stonewall Jim Walker/' the worthy successor of A. P. Hill and of Stonewall Jackson, the man worthy to voice the feelings and sentiments of his old command concerning their loved leader, A. P. Hill. [Applause.]

Dr. Jones spoke with his usual force and vigor, and throughout the crowd punctuated his sentences with cheers.

GENERAL WALKER'S ORATION. A Splendid Vindication of the South's Love and Reverence for Her Heroes.

As General Walker came to the front, his shattered and almost useless arm hanging limp at his side, a burst of applause went up