Zzzthe Association formed.
That meeting adjourned to meet in this house on the following day, to form the Association of the Army of Northern Virginia.
And so, here in this place, on the 4th day of November, 1870, was formed the Association of the Army of Northern Virginia, with
General Early as its first president.
How he loved this association is best attested by the fact, that with a single exception—when he was too sick to come—he never failed to attend its meetings.
How I love it no one cares to know.
But I want to make it known, that I have never yet failed to attend one of its meetings, and I believe that I am a better man and a better citizen by reason of the inspiration I have drawn from attendance on these meetings.
Aside from the contributions which the addresses made before this association have made to the history of our struggle, the value of which is beyond computation, it was the parent Confederate organization in the
South, and from this association has emanated those influences which have dotted this whole Southland of ours with Confederate Camps and kindred organizations, and which, with the fidelity to duty of our woman (God bless them always), have done more to keep our
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people true to themselves than all others combined.
Without these, by this time I believe our people would have forgotten the most glorious period of their whole history, and the splendid heritage which that period bequeaths to their children.
The soldiers of the Army of Northern Virginia ought to be ashamed to let this association die as long as there is a ‘corporal's guard’ of that army left alive; and they ought to bind themselves in a solemn league to that effect to-day.
