The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-07-05
OUR VETS ON PARADE.
A GLORIOUS CELEBRATION AT
CHATTANOOGA.

Gov. Gordon Leads the Line Amid a
Storm of Cheers - Gen. &. Kirby
Smith Also Given a Rousing Wei
come-A Brilliant Pyrotechnic Dis
play at Night
CHATTANOOGA, July 4.-The Fourth of
July exercises of the reunion of the confed-
crate veterans took the form Of a monster
parade. Two thousand veterans were to-
gether in line and several military compa-
nies from other southern cities were present.
Gen. John B. Gordon was commander-in-
chief of the procession, and as he went along
the line he was greeted with loud hurrahs.
Gen. E Kirby Smith, attired in confed-
crate grey, commanded the military divis-
ion and was vociferously cheered.
Fifty thousand people witnessed the pa
rade.
In all the line not single confederate flag
was displayed, but every command carried
the national colors.
Brass bands passed up the streets playing
national airs, and "Dixie," Bonnie Blue
Flag" and cheers greeted every ear.
The best of good humor prevailed, and
not single incident occurred to mar the
pleasures of the occasion.
SONS OF VETERANS.
A feature of the parade was several hun
dred young men, sons of confederate vete-
rams, who passed along singing national
airs.
Along the line Of the parade in the busi-
ness portion of the city there was not
single house that was not profusely deco
rated.
Gov. Taylor of Tennessee and his staff
headed the Tennessee militia.
After the parade and review Con- Gordon
addressed several thousand people in front
of the union depot. The sentiments were
so patriotic and eloquent that the widest
enthusiasm prevailed.
This afternoon 5000 persons crowded into
great tent and listened to Fourth of July
orations, war "reminiscences and patriotic
music. Speeches were made by Gen. Cor
don, w. s. Cabill of Texas, Gen. E. Kirby
Smith of Tennessee and Gen. "Tige" Ander-
son of Georgia.
GOV. GoRDoN's SPEECH.
Following is Gov. Gordon's speech:
My CoMRADEs-I appear simply to thank you
for this call and for the privilege you have af-
forded me to look upon your faces
once more. Had I the power to call
blessings from heaven its choicest
gifts would be upon your heads. 1 ask as a
last parting request that you prove as true to
your plighted faith to the union in the future as
you did to the stars and banners in the days of
the war. lGreat cheering knew what your
AOoRNLAoO
you, and the future will foreverprove the cor
rectness of the prophecy, that whenever the
honor, Integrity, progress and ipower of this
republic are at stake these men and their
children will be found the side
of the republic [great applausel, and if to-day
desired to transmit to my posteritY an assur
ance that this land would remain great and
prosperous and free, would say: ain Gods
name. commit its destiny to such men as these. :"
LApplause.] God bless you and enable you in
following the old flag. which is the flag of our
fathers, to discharge every duty under his guild
ance for the future of this country. lApplause. !
Gen. G. w. Haskell of Memphis was one
of the speakers at the tent. He said:
We recognize the fact that the late war was
gallant fight. Both sides were right. We, of
the south fought for the constitution of our
fathers. The south was a loyal country, but
we were wrong on the slavery question. The
north right when it fought
us on that score. There is not a son or daughter
of the south who would have slavery restored.
LApplauSe While for four years we were
deadly enemies, we are foreverInere brothers
and fellow citizens, and proud in the south, of
the glory OF these American states, and we
would fight as Loyalty for the flag of our coun-
try as any man who fought with Grant or Sher
man.
THE CITY ILLUMINATED.
Tonight the whole city is illuminated,
and roman lights and fireworks of various
kinds are making the night brilliant. Look
out mountain is ablaze with lights, and on
the Tennessee river and Cameron hill there
are monster pyrotechnic displays
1t is estimated that there were 35, 900
visitors in the city to-day
The parade of the confederate veterans
clearly indicated that it has been a long
time since the close of the war. The men
are all gray haired and nearly all infirm.
Their appearance shows that they have
seen severe times, many of them appearing
in their old jackets.
Tomorrow the veterans will go to the
Chickamauga battle field proposed ma
tional park and attend picnic.