Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 32.djvu/287

 Address of Major Graham Daves. 275

[Fiom the Raleigh, N. C., Neivs and Observer, May 11, 1901.]

THE CAUSES OF THE WAR 1861-5, AND EVENTS OF ITS FIRST YEAR.

The Events in North Carolina During the Administration of Governor J. W. Ellis.

MEMORIAL DAY ADDRESS BY MAJOR GRAHAM DAVES, AT RALEIGH, N. C., MAY 10, 1901.

The Annual Meeting and Roll Call of Wake County Veterans. New Members Enrolled.

[Major Daves was a thorough patriot and a broadly accomplished and most lovable man. He was our valued friend and correspond- ent for years. His death was a distinct loss to historical inquiry, and was widely lamented. ED.]

Despite the inclement weather, Memorial day was generally ob- served. Many who wore the gray came together in a sort of reunion, women decked the graves of the Confederate dead with flowers and orators recounted great deeds of daring or told again the principal events of the War Between the States.

In Raleigh the day was almost a holiday, many of the stores were closed during the afternoon, and even those that remained open did but little business. The banks and most of the State offices were closed.

As usual, the oration was delivered at Metropolitan Hall. Major Graham Daves was the orator. His subject was, " The Causes that led up to the War Between the States, and the Events of the First Year of the War."

Major Daves is, of all men in North Carolina, the one best fitted to speak on this subject. He was the private secretary of Governor Ellis North Carolina's first war governor and had access to all the State's official records and correspondence. Later he was the adjutant of the 22d North Carolina Regiment under General Petti- grew. In addition to this, he is a man of letters and great historical learning.

His speech of yesterday was in every way worthy of the man and his opportunities, and will constitute a page of correct history.

After an opening hymn by a select choir and an invocation by Rev. George F. Smith, Major Daves was gracefully introduced to his audience by Captain Samuel A. Ashe, chief marshal for the day.