Western Sentinel

Letter from Surry.

Editors Sentinel:—You certainly had an excellent affair on the 10th, and one that Winston and Salem may well be proud of. After reading the proceedings I must say that "to one present the half has not been told," though we do not, by any means, propose to describe the august occasion.

The presentation of the flag, and the well spoken words of Miss Lea, to the company, was enough to thrill the heart of a sensationalist, and I must say that nature has given her a most lovely symmetrical form, with her studied, thorough culture, to say nothing of art accompaniments. She certainly enraptured the hearts of all young persons present, and no doubt the Old Editor himself was fascinated (as fastidious as he is) by the dulcet warnings to guard, honor and protect the flag, while the young soldiers were perfectly infatuated, no doubt.

But I am digressing. The old soldiers certainly deserve a word. Time thou destroyer! Just a few years back the line of veterans were as active and full of life as the young military company; now they go stooped with age, tottering in file, to each respective call to pay honor and tribute to the honored dead, and each year in its seasons will find their newly made graves in the cemetery around the Old Confederate Monument. And a few more calls the old veterans will be borne out in buggies and carriages, no longer able to stand the dusty march, the din of battle, or the double quick step of the young military. And in a few years longer the old regulars will be scarce and hard to find as the old Mexican Soldiers of the present day. But go to the cemetery, the Church grave yards, there you will find all that remains of the old fathers. Peace to their ashes. Honor to their families. Love, respect and fame to their memories.

Winston and Salem certainly deserve a great deal of credit for the part undertaken. It does have a tendency to warm up the dormant state of the old veterans, and infuse a more active life in them,—They will see at once that there is a work for them to do, not as some would have it, preparation for another war, but to come together and commune, commemorate the departure of their lost friends and leave good examples for the young and rising generation to follow, that they may benefit thereby.

The procession was certainly a grand affair. The chariot with its load of Soldiers Orphan Girls, wreathed in garlands, was a most sublime sight, indeed, and the young military dressed in complete regalia, with all the advantages of thorough drilling, together with the pathetic, soul stirring music of the band, and the line of carriages, buggies etc., with their liveried servants, draped in mourning, was a grand thing, and the half has not been told.

The speech was excelsius and suited to the occasion. Ought by all means to be in press; as the ideas and figures of almost a lifetime study, reflected great credit to the speaker.

There is something strange that Winston did not save over a rusty old Confederate cannon, to fire a few salutes. I think that nothing would add more to the solemnity of the occasion.

It certainly has its big guns in the way of Printer's Luck, mercantile and warehouse drummers. To say nothing of the professional limbs of the law.

This leaves old Surry well and enjoying that portion of health and prosperity, which abundance of rain on the growing crops, peace and quietude, and a good prospect for a railroad to the county is wont to give.

Respectfully,
ANONYMOUS.