"To You, Sons of Confederate Veterans..."
Mark A. Simpson
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The Confederate Veteran
printed the entire text of Lt. General Stephen D. Lee's speech in the
June, 1906 issue. Lee gives charges to several different groups in the
speech including the charge to the SCV. Here is the entire SCV charge
as originally issued:
"To you, Sons of Confederate Veterans, we will commit the vindication of the cause for which we fought. To your strength will be given the defense of the Confederate soldier's good name, the guardianship of his history, the emulation of his virtues, the perpetuation of those principles which he loved and which you love also, and those ideals which made him glorious and which you also cherish. Are you also ready to die for your country? Is your life worthy to be remembered along with theirs? Do you choose for yourself the greatness of soul?" Not in the clamour of the
crowded street, not in the shouts and plaudits of the throng, but in
ourselves are triumph and defeat.
An Account of the Organization, Aims and Purposes of This Association The formation at
Richmond last week of the Federation to be known as the United Sons of
Confederate Veterans should receive the commendation and support of all
true Southerners. Its aims, objects and purposes are not to create or
foster in any manner, any feeling against the North, but to hand down
to
posterity the "story of the glory of the men who wore the gray."
Knowing that "in union there is strength," the sons of those who made the South famous have come together for the systematic and united work of preserving from oblivion the true history of the South. That this step meets with the hearty approval of the "men who wore the gray" is shown by the following resolution, which was adopted at the Convention of the United Confederate Veterans at Richmond, at their regular session. "Resolved, that this session provide at once for the formation of Sons of Confederate Veterans into a separate national organization. This is urgent from the manifold fact that our ranks are thinning daily, and our loved representatives should step in now and arrange to take charge of Southern history, our relics, mementos and monuments, and stimulate the erection of other monuments to our heroes ere 'taps' are sounded for the last of their fathers." Note, the comment that the creation of the SCV met "with the hearty approval of the men who wore the gray". Well, that's enough for me. While I make every effort to seek the approval of my neighbors and fellow citizens, I realize that many will never |
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