Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 33.djvu/303

 Returning Confederate Flags. 299

the Jews and their heroic sacrifices to rebuild the Temple of the Lord as an illustration, he paid a glowing tribute to the valor of the Southern soldier as displayed after the war in the work of rebuild- ing the waste places of his desolated country. In conclusion, Col- onel Cameron, with eloquent tribute to the women of the Confeder- acy and admirable words of good-will to those of the former ene- mies who "came out and fought us like men," received the flags for the Grand Camp and closed his speech amid the enthusiastic plaudits of the great audience, which rose en-masse and cheered while the band played "Dixie." The ceremonies closed with prayer by Dr. Myde. Many people lingered to exchange greetings with visiting veterans and other friends. Governor Montague was forced to hold an informal reception, being greeted by large num- bers of friends.

[Attention may be called to the article in the last volume (xxxii) of this serial reprinted under the caption of "Confederate States' Battle Flags" as to the effective agency in their return by the War Department to their proper custody.

There can be no question as to the potent effect of this action toward re-cementing, in common tie of pride and affection, the sections of our re-united country.

The patriotic zeal of the veteran, Captain John Lamb, waxes in its felicitous results.

He writes of date February 6, 1906, that the joint resolution, introduced by him authorizing the Secretary of War to deliver cer- tain unidentified battle flags, had been reported on favorably and unanimously by the Committee on Military Affairs, the custody being changed (at my suggestion) to "The Confederate Memorial Literary Society, Richmond, Virginia," in which our noble women of the South have provided proper cases for their display and safe keeping, and in whose historic building are also preserved the treasures of the Southern Historical Society.

The address which follows, is with the modest title and the diffi- dence so characteristic of our efficient representative of the Third District in Congress. EDITOR.]