Madge Burney’s “Children’s Work” Address

Title

Madge Burney’s “Children’s Work” Address

Creator

Madge Burney

Source

Madge Burney Papers, Box 2, Folder 4, Historical Manuscripts, Special Collection, the University of Southern Mississippi Libraries.

Date

Unknown

Rights

Copyright Not Evluated

Format

Typed Speech

Language

En.

Type

Text

Original Format

Typed Speech Draft

Files

Page one of Burney's undated "Children's Work" Speech. <br />
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Children's Work<br />
<br />
Madam President, Daughters of the Confederacy, Friends:-<br />
<br />
Show me the womanhood of a nation and its childhood and I will tell you what the status and morale of that nation is. Robert Speer the great thinker made this assertion and I am sure that all within the sound of my voice realize the truth of it. <br />
<br />
In our work of keeping alive Southern valor and preserving authentic Southern history, we must look to our most priceless inheritance--the Children of the Confederacy. We must win the present generation, for we can not do without the splendid assets of youthful optimism, idealism, power of vision and spirit of adventure. <br />
<br />
The child is plastic, capable of being molded and youth is the golden period fo mental hygiene. There is no age more important than childhood, more interesting. If you wish to be of real service to the world, do something for young people and children. For many years a duty has been laid upon the womanhood of the South- to train the children in patriotism and loyalty to organize them into chapters of earnest, little workers, busy hearts and minds to be about the Southland and the appreciation of their valiant ancestors. Many women have heeded the call and chapters of Children of the Confederacy have sprung into being all over our fair land. These children are our heritage, they will inherit our spirit and our organizations. When we pass to them the torch, we expect them to hold it on high and to keep it burning with an eternal flame. <br />
<br />
It is our privilege to teach them this by example
Page two of Burney's undated "Children's Work" Speech. <br />
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and cultivation. But I hope friends that in our zeal we do not teach our children of the confederacy, the hymn of hate, but rather a Song of love, for it is only by the crushing out of bitterness in our hearts that we become truly great. <br />
<br />
The work planned by Miss Katie Daffan in memory of that peerless poet priest Father Ryan, no doubt appeals to their young hearts and instills into their young minds patriotism and team work. <br />
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It is very important that we grown up Daughters of the Confederacy should unite in making stronger and finer the wonderful organization we call "The Children of the Confederacy."<br />
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The training of our Southern youth must be prayerful, intelligent and efficient. We must realize that it is up to us to make each succeeding generation, better, finer and more patriotic. <br />
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The heart of a child is like an aeolian harp placed among the trees for the wind to play upon, Oh: let us see that the tender hearts of our children are played upon with touches of love and skill, striving to tune them into perfect hamonies of patriotic fervor, fostering the precious, old memories and traditions. <br />
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We must teach them to cherish the thin, gray line, growing thinner each year. <br />
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While they are with us let us see that the splendid, old veterans are warmed and fed and not lacking in material comforts, let us send the children to given them a rose and a smile, not wait until they are gone to place flowers above their pulsless hearts. <br />
<br />
How sweet to see a young person bending close to the deaf old ears of an old soldier to tell them of every day affairs or listening at Stonewall Jackson led his army or the prowess of the dauntless Forrest. <br />
<br />
We must not neglect these splendid old heroes
Page three of Burney's undated "Children's Work" Speech. <br />
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trembling in the evening of life, just a little while before going to join their comrades in the great Beyond. <br />
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When we have gone the way of all mortals, our children we must keep alive the tree of Patriotism and the flowers of memory, <br />
<br />
Like the older organizations of the confederacy the children have for their objects, history, religion, education and society. <br />
<br />
The Confederate Veteran is sacred to us--the cause he fought for is a precious thing, the traditions a necklace of gems to be kept shining with the pristine radiance of yesterday. Monuments to the Confederacy have been erected all over the country. Out children must continue to honor the old soldier and those four wonderful years in the sixties. All honor and glory to the confederacy something apart, our and unstained. <br />
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Children of the Confederacy, this wonderful work is our sacred charge to you. Remember that each new member forges a link in our chain of patriotism, making it stronger and finer. <br />
<br />
Then let us bend all our energies to the building up of our organization by forming new chapters and adding to the old ones. We must secure new members, working together we know that it is only thro co-operation that we accomplish anything worth while. We can do but little alone, but must join in a great united effort to perpetuate the spirit of the young Confederacy. <br />
<br />
Remember that the eyes of the world are upon you. <br />
<br />
Only one chapter can bear home the silver trophy each year, but this does not mean that your efforts have been in vain---far from it. <br />
<br />
Won't you have for your goal each year, not alone the loving cup and the approbation
Page four of Burney's undated "Children's Work" Speech. <br />
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of admiring throngs, but a higher goal, the consciousness of having been faithful in the performance of duty, being true to ourselves to our country and our veterans--what could be more Christ like<br />
<br />
We are one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We love the stars and strips of Old Glory, we love our native land, the United States of America and we must be good citizens. <br />
<br />
But dear children we are Southern born and bred, we must have our memories and our sacred charge to keep the home fires burning, the home fires of Southern history and tradition and to keep fresh and green the trees of patriotic pride. <br />
<br />
In conclusion I wish to thank the President and executive Board of our state organizations for their friendly, co-operation. TO the leaders of the chapters of the Children of the confederacy I am indested for real service. But most of all I wish to thank my little friends, these children of the Confederacy for their devotion to the cause and ask a continuance in this great work. <br />
<br />
"Children are a heritage of the Lord". The Little hands as weak as April weather yet strong enough to hold the world to-gether."

Citation

Madge Burney, “Madge Burney’s “Children’s Work” Address,” Online Exhibits at Southern Miss, accessed March 29, 2024, https://usmspecialcollections.omeka.net/items/show/195.

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