PROCLAMATION

“To you, Sons of Confederate Veterans, we submit 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 he loved and which made him glorious and which you also cherish.  Remember, it is your duty to see that the true history of the South is presented to future generations.”      Lt. General Stephen Dill Lee

                          Commander General, United Confederate Veterans

                                              New Orleans, Louisiana, 1906

We, the Rowan Rifles Camp #405, Sons of Confederate Veterans, do hereby proclaim that the Charge given to us by Gen. Stephen D. Lee is the sole purpose of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.  We hereby acknowledge the English language as it is and reject any perversion of it.  We understand to “vindicate” means to set free from allegation of blame and to provide justification or defense for and to protect from attack or encroachment.  We understand that we are to defend the Confederate Soldier’s good name.  We understand that we will guard his history.  We understand that we are to emulate his virtues and perpetuate the principles he loved.  We finally understand that it is our duty to see that the true history of the South is presented to future generations.

Therefore, we reject any attempt to alter or change our Charge.  We reject any slogan or motto that seeks to undermine the Charge such as the North Carolina Division “slogan” Honoring Our Veterans, Nothing More, Never Less.”

The Rowan Rifles Camp #405, Sons of Confederate Veterans will honor our ancestors by obeying our Charge.  We will seek by all honorable means to protect and defend our heritage, our symbols, our monuments, our history and our culture against all enemies both within and without of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

We realize that members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans share a common heritage.  This heritage is especially unique and proud.  We realize that our ancestors fought for a just cause, only being overpowered by a superior might.  We realize that their cause was real and that they did not go to war to risk their lives, property, fortunes, and honor simply so that today we would meet and polish their headstones.  We realize that today, like during the great conflict, there were differences of opinion. But as to the issues of principle to the truth, there will be no compromise.