T H A D D R S S . , E E (C omra d es Since our last annual convocation fiv e links have fallen fromthat privileged chain which unites us in T Hos . the bonds of fraternal companionship . Private F L E M I N of M m on F . G , the edical Depart ent , died the F ft 5 Ma 1888. th of y, our days a erwards our colors appeared at half- mast in sorrowful token of the de L AT AS E m n G . T r of . pa ture Captain A , of Co pa y K , 1st m F v and 11th of Regi ent , lorida Ca alry ; , on the we m the following June escorted to the to b Captain J . P I N C K N E "T HO M AS - - m ff of M , aid de ca p on the sta ajor G M . " . n 2 th of eneral P . B oung O the 7 July Cap ’ I L L M A I 1 t W I AM . D N T GN AC m 0 h tain , of Co pany K , m G fa fi Regi ent, eorgia In ntry , responded to the nal mm a of su ons , and only two days agone we were dvised S L of . T AN E " om A the death Private H D . , of C pany , 28th m N Regi ent , orth Carolina Infantry . u of M m Thus , on the ret rn this e orial Day , are we m a again re inded th t ofiur circle , narrowing here , is expanding in the green elds beyond , where the rude l m w a r a aru s of are never heard , and where there is a rest etern l . 21 ffi According to the o cial returns , the aggregate wealth G 1860 m f 7 7 . O of eorgia , in , was esti ated at this sum nearly one half was represented by neg ro 330 694 55 slaves numbering and valued at 3 2 8 . During the four preceding years the taxable property of this commonwealth had increased al most one hun f dred and seventy sev en millions o dollars . The signs v m f of uni ersal prosperity were ani est , and everything m of m and betokened an era of content ent , develop ent , of expanding good fort une . m few While there were co paratively who , in either m town or country , could lay clai to very large estates , the planters and merchants of Georgia were in com forta ble circumstances . Business operations were o ' m c nducted upon a quiet , honest , and legiti ate basis . O f bucket shops there were none ; and gambling in k mm cotton , stoc s , grain , and other co odities was wholly w u s ubscri unknown . Railroads ere b ilded by honest p m m tions and , when co pleted , were ha pered by no m mm ortga ges . Co ercial transactions were entered a nd mm bona de re re upon consu ated fi, and did not p sent operations upon paper or speculations upon ma r M en ew gins . kn and trusted one another , and did not often have cause to repent of the confidence reposed . - e Sharp trad rs were not held in good repute , and questionable methods were mercilessly condemned . w A O f manufacturing establishments there were fe . g riculture claimed and received the allegiance of the m m . asses planters , as a class , were co petent , " The m industrious , observant of their obligations , hu ane in m of the treat ent their slaves , given to hospitality , f ma n se n n ond of ly exerci , i depende t in thought and the m a nd a act, and solicitous for oral intellectu l educa n of n. A tion their childre civilizatio , patriarchal in t m w n its charac eristics , co bined ith a ve eration for the 5 of f lov e m traditions the athers and a of ho e , gave birth to patriotic impulses and encouraged a high standard m i e . F m of indiv dual honor , int grity , and anhood ro men m fa m boyhood were accusto ed to the saddle , and m w ilia r with the use of firearms . The artial spirit a s m apparent in volunteer ilitary organizations ; and , at te fi in stated in rvals , contests involving rare pro ciency m a nd horse anship , in handling the sabre , the pistol , the m field - usket , and the piece , attracted the public a nd m of m r gaze won the approving s iles wo an . Leisu e hours were spent in hunting and fishing and in social Mi f o . s n intercourse . O litigati n there was little u der a ccommo standings , when they occurred , were usually res n i dated by honorable arbitration . Personal po s bili t freel m m a nd y, v ad itted , engendered utual respect , fo stered a commendable exhibition of individual ma n i m n e w lness . Com u ities w re ell ordered and prosper T he m of u ous . ho es the inhabitants were peacef l and happy . Beyond controversy Georgia was then the Empire A State of the South . t the inception of the Confeder ate Revolution she occupied a commanding position in mof m u the estee sister States with si ilar instit tions , mm a . ma like hopes , and co on destiny It v be safely ffi a m 1ntellectua l r ed that in political leadership , in m u of her capabilities , in aterial resources , by virt e m com situation , and in oral and physical power , this monw ea lth w a s the pivotal state in the Southern C on w federation . I t was only hen her borders were actual l r w a s s y invaded , and when her integ ity seriou ly impaired by the devastating column s led by Genera l m w a s Sher an , that the weakness of the Confederacy m e m a of fairly de onstrated, and the disastrous t r in tion f a w the conflict was absolutely oresh do ed . 21 ffi According to the o cial returns , the aggregate wealth of G 1860 m 67 O f 7 7 . eorgia , in , was esti ated at $ s sum f t thi nearly one hal was represen ed by , negro s m 30 694 55 laves nu bering and valued at 15 2 8 . During the four preceding years the taxable property of this commonwealth had increased almost one hun v f dred and seventy se en millions o dollars . The signs v m f of uni ersal prosperity were ani est , and everything of m m and betokened an era content ent , of develop ent , of expanding good fort une . m few While there were co paratively who , in either m town or country , could lay clai to very large estates , the planters and merchants of Georgia were in com f l ortab e circumstances . Business operations were o ' m c nducted upon a quiet , honest , and legiti ate basis . O f bucket shops there were none ; and gambling in k mm cotton , stoc s , grain , and other co odities was wholly n subs ri unknow . Railroads were builded by honest c p m r m tions and , when co pleted , we e ha pered by no m ortga ges . Commercial transactions were entered a n n mm r d bona de re e upon co su ated fi, and did not p sent operations upon pape r or s peculations upon ma r M en ew gins . kn and trusted one another, and did not ft s of fi o en have cau e to repent the con dence reposed . - e w in e Sharp trad rs ere not held good r pute , and questionable methods were mercilessly condemned . w O f manufacturing establishments there were fe . Ag riculture claimed and received the allegiance of the m . m asses The planters , as a class , were co petent , n m industrious , observant of their obligatio s , hu ane in m of the treat ent their slaves , given to hospitality , f ma n se n en h ond of ly exerci , i depend t in t ought and a nd the m a nd act, solicitous for oral intellectual educa n A n tion of their childre . civilizatio , patriarchal in m n w its characteristics , co bi ed ith a veneration for the 5 a of f lov e of m tr ditions the athers and a ho e , gave birth to patriotic impulses and encouraged a high standard i m . F om of indiv dual honor , integrity , and anhood r men u m fa m boyhood were acc sto ed to the saddle , and a w m w a s ili r ith the use of firearms . The artial spirit a o s a t pparent in volunteer military organizati n ; and . te fi stated in rvals , contests involving rare pro ciency in m th a nd e . horse anship , in handling the sabre , pistol m field - ub the usket , and the piece , attracted the p lic r gaze and won the appro v ing smiles of w oman. Leisu e hours were spent in hunting and fishing and in social M isunder intercourse . O f litigation there was little . w a ccommo standings , hen they occurred , were usually P n res onsibili dated by honorable arbitration .