Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 26.djvu/311

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, \THERING PLACE OF HEROES

"What a gathering place of heroes," he said, "Ah! Virginians. far distant be the day when the story of the glorious deeds of your glorious men shall be forgotten. Ah! fellow-citizens, I do not, no one can, wonder at your sublime faith, as you feel you are the de- scendants of the noblest men the world has ever known. Noble sons of veterans, making your way proudly in the world, you have no pensions to sustain you (loud and prolonged applause); nothing to rely upon except your individual efforts; the world is all before you, in which to make your way, and there are none better quali- fied."

The speaker paid high compliments to the fidelity and zeal of Congressman Lamb and Jones. In allusion to the honored guest of the evening, Judge DeArmond said: " In the short war many op- portunities were afforded the soldiers of the North, but few compara- tively to the soldiers of the South, but with the scant opportunities given, the hero of the Spanish-American war is before you to-night. (Loud cheers.) But for that gallant soldier, but for his skill and discretion, the story of Santiago, El Caneyand San Juan Hill would have been written differently. (A voice: "That's right," and cheers.) There would have been dropping back and defeat. " His- tory can't be written with the Confederate soldier left out," said Judge DeArmond, and this statement was greeted with much laughter and applause. He paid his compliments again to the pen- sion laws, and concluded by again expressing appreciation of the honor shown him, and expressing the ardent hope that through the coming years the sons of noble sires will keep alive in their camps the spirit of nobility of their fathers. Virginians must in future, as in the past, "blaze the way," and stand as a solid phalanx against wrong. When Virginia charges, we shall all know what the charge ought to be against.

MR. JONES ALSO SPEAKS.

Judge DeArmond was loudly cheered as he took his seat, and icn there were calls for Congressman Jones. Briefly, he thanked the audience for the cordiality of his reception. It had been the first >pportunity he had enjoyed of attending a meeting of Sons of Vete- uis. He made a humorous allusion to his own connection with the adding that he took great pride in the fact that no one had a right to the title, son of a Confederate veteran than he. He