Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 26.djvu/194

 184 Southern Historical Society Papers.

ministering hands, the loyal souls, and the beautiful voices that remain to us to-day, true to Thee and to duty, for young and old gathered here to-day to take loving and tearful and hopeful part in this new consecration. Be with those who shall speak to us, and may they speak such words as shall help us and glorify Thee; and to Thy great name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we will give the praise forever. Amen."

Chairman Sanford opened the oratory in this language:

Ladies of the Memorial Association, Ladies and Gentlemen:

Borrowing an idea from another, if expression of my apprecia- tion of being selected as chairman on this occasion, were commensu- rate with the honors conferred on me, I should need a full measure of gratefulness in my heart and brilliancy on my tongue. The meas- ure of gratitude is not lacking, but my stammering speech compels me to ask these good ladies who have thus honored me to be content with the assurance that I mean all that is expressed by the good old Anglo-Saxon words, I thank you for having given me this distinc- tion; for, indeed, it is an enviable distinction to be prominently con- nected with these exercises, that will take their place in the annals of this State, both because of their intrinsic interest and worth, and because they transpire on these historic grounds, where, thirty-seven years ago, a chivalrous young government took its position in line with the great nationalities of earth.

Born in the throes of revolution, its young, proud ship of state was launched on tempestuous political seas, whose angry waves and raging billows rocked its infancy "in the cradle of the deep." No friendly beacon light streamed across the stormy waters to give warn- ing where maelstroms endangered and rocks were submerged. Rather instead, from storm tossed waves there flashed the lurid glare of the lightning of battle, and the deep, bellowing thunders of war clouds came "sounding o'er the sea." The dew was not off the grass on the natal morn of the Confederacy before this sunny land was one vast martial camp, and war's frowning visage darkened the land.

It is not for me, to-day, to speak of the causes of the great revo- lution, nor to discuss the statesmanship and policies of that stormy era. But I will take a moment to say, in defense of those whose honor and valor are commemorated by that granite shaft, that they offered their lives, living sacrifices on the altars of country, in defense of that glorious product of this western world, the great right of