Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 32.djvu/290

 278 Southern Historical Society Papers.

of the departed, members of the family circle; with us it is the un- divided tribute of a whole people to all soldier dead. Here, too, the day is fitly chosen. Thirty-eight years ago to-day General Thomas J. Jackson, but a few days after his splendid achievement at Chancellorsville, in which he met his death wound, passed to his final reward. How many North Carolina boys were with him there, and many from him "in death were not divided." Stonewall ! the incarnation of the Confederate cause, of what was noblest in it, and knightliest and best meet is it that the anniversary of his death should be set apart as the day for all to assemble to commemorate the cause he upheld so ably, and to do honor to the heroes who survive their great leader, as well as to those who with him have passed " over the river and rest under the shade of the trees."

Perpetuate, O, my fellow-countrymen ! this beautiful custom just tribute to devoted men and noble deeds. It keeps in fond memory a glorious epoch in our history glorious though it passed away in blood and tears. Preserve it for the sake of the women of the South, who instituted it in the face of difficulties, discourage- ments and disappointments that only zeal like theirs could over- come. Make yearly pilgrimages, and take care that those who come after us are taught thoroughly the cause and meaning of these cer- emonies, that they may hand down to generations yet unborn the true story of the men and era we now commemorate. Foster and sustain your Memorial Association. Second all efforts to care for the few who survive the great tragedy, and to adorn the hallowed spots where rest our dead, and so shall our soldiers be held in grate- ful memory in all time to come, and their deaths will not have been in vain. No! not in vain. " Brave blood is never shed wholly in vain, but sends a voice echoing down the ages through all time." The familiar proverb, " republics are always ungrateful," must have no application here in Dixie.

The subject of my address to you to-day will, at the request of the Memorial Association, be "A Sketch of the Events Immediately Preceding and Following the Ordinances of Secession by the State of North Carolina," and as an appropriate beginning, I will first mention what is known as the John Brown raid at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, which occurred in October, 1859. This was an attempt of a narrow-minded fanatic to arm slaves and stir up servile insur- rection throughout the South. He was accompanied by a few fol- lowers, two only of whom were negroes, but was countenanced and abetted by a large influence in the Northern States and was aided