Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 22.djvu/371

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THE MONUMENT MOVEMENT.

Seven years ago this Association was formed for the purpose of erecting this monument. By the generosity of our men and aided by the noble women of the South, by whose patriotic efforts we were enabled to accomplish our cherished designs, we are here to-day to witness the fruition of our hopes by dedicating this monument to the private in the ranks.

The story of their endurance and valor has often been told. It has been the theme of the historian and orator in other lands than ours, and poets have sung in lofty strains of their heroic deeds.

That story will be repeated to-day. To those who participated in the struggle it may cause a glow of pardonable pride; to all who hear it must give pleasure and gratification; but let the story be truthfully told, that our children and our children's children may learn the lesson of how their sires loved honor better than life, and deemed no sacrifice too great to be laid on the altar of their country.

And who is better fitted to recount the suffering, the sacrifice and valor of the private soldier than the orator selected for this occasion? When the tocsin first sounded the call to arms he marched away as a private in the ranks. As a private he served with conspicuous gal- lantry throughout the war, was twice wounded in the contest, and only laid down his arms after the sun of the Confederacy had gone down in refulgent splendor behind the hills of Appomattox.

I take pleasure in introducing Rev. R. C. Cave, once a private soldier of the Confederacy, but now a faithful soldier in the army of the King of Kings.

MR. CAVE'S BRILLIANT ORATION.

He Makes a Noble Defence of the South and Her Cause.

In the person of the orator of the day, many of those in the assemblage recognized the former pastor of the Seventh-Street Christian church, and all were glad of another opportunity to hear him. Mr. Cave is looking well, and was in good voice. The rain fell so heavily at times, however, that only those very close to and in front of him could hear his remarks.

At one time, when the rain began to literally pour down, the orator stopped, and was about to terminate his speech, but those around him would not hear to it, and he had to continue. His hearing audience was necessarily small, but thoroughly in sympathy with his