Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-08-12
THE CAMPFIRE.
A Thoroughly Enjoyable Evening at Como
Park Pavilion

Park Pavilion
The meeting at Como park las. night was
called to order by Col r. NJ Henderson.
The programme was that Mayor Smith
should. on behalf of the city. welcome the
eX-COnfederates to Fort Worth. but on ac-
count of an important meeting of the city
council. he was unable to be present, and
Hon. James w. Swayne was called upon
TO welcome the visitors TO the
city. Mr. Swayne said: 1t seems
that some one has to be called upon TO well
come our visitors TO Fort Worth, and take
it as pleasure and as an honor that it falls
TO my lot TO do so. That Fort Worth has
always been hospitable to every orgdniza-
ton that has met within her borders and
e7tis always extended a welcome TO whOmso-
ever has come is well known throughout
Texas, and how much more should
We welcome you who fought for
us and bled for the lost cause. But il mat
ters not 50 far as our hospitality is con-
cerEed whether YOU fought for the North
or for the South, you are welcome to our
city. If there is anything in Fort Worth
which you want ask for it and it is yours
If there is anything that YOU hesitate TO ask
for. take it without the asking, remembering
that You are eX-ConfederateS, and
that Fort Worth knows that YOU are
her guests. If there have been mistakes in
your reception it is because others have
waited for the committee to act. thinking
that all necessary arrangements had been
made. If there has been any seeming lack
of hospitality | assure you it is not in the
bosom of this people. The body of the
people rejoice that you are in our midst, and
Oh behalf of these | again extend to YOU
i most hearty greeting and welcome from
the people OF Fort Worth, assuring you that
one and all of Us viii De more than pleased
10 entertain you at our firesides and give
YOU our heartieSt welcome p"
Capt. c. c. Cummings was to have deliv-
cred an address of welcome on behalf of r.
f. Lee camp of ex-COnfederateS, but for
some reason, presumably on account
of sickness, he was absent,
and Capt. Veal addressed the veterans III
behalf of X. +. Lee camp. as follows:
Capt. Cummings. who was to have deliv-
cred an address of welcome on behalf of
our camp, is absent. His absence is. | am
certain. occasiOned by some reason that is
imperative. / shall make you no Speech,
but as u member OF 4. +. Lee camp, in adS
dition to what Mr.. Swayne has said, wi&
10 extend you Il hearty welcome
from every citizen of Fort Worth,
and from each member of Lee camp colAesf
4 soldiers welcome. These reunions AID
conducive TO u regeneration of US old sof--
diers. When l attended the first reunion |
felt as If five wears would be added to my
life. After had returned from the second
! added ten more years to my allowance.
At the next the period was heightened TO
fifteen, then TO twenty, and when | re-
turned from the last one about three
months ago | felt as if l would
like TO live always among those old Confed-
crate comrades who fought so bravely. In
this connection | wish 10 say in honor of
those who died aud also of those who
still live, that no history, however ancient,
furnishes Il counterpart for the bravery and
self-sacritiCe shown by the Confederate sol
Giery. Those opposing us had the treasury
of the govern ment TO back them, had fun
rations and all the equipments of
war different motives prompted.the North
and the South. SOmeo of those whOcwore
the blue fought for the freedom of the ne
gro, others for glory, and others still for
the Old flag. The SOuth's motives were the
preservation of the homes of her people,
and to keep inyioate the rights which she
deemed were inalienabe. In the attempt
to protect their tiresides and retain these
rights they fought with Il desperation sell
dom witnessed. Fought ShoeleSs, without
clothes and hungry. / have known COM
rades to exist for five days with no more
than a handful of corn to each man, aud
fighting constantly. Such SuferingS and
such privationS as these were endured by
the men who have met here to-day.
Some Years since l stood in the cemetery
on Arlington Heights overlooking Washing
ton City. Here are buried many brave SOL
diers. Over the grave of every Union soldier
rests a white marble shaft that gliStens in
the sunlight. So far as possible the name
of each soldier is carved in the stone. IN
one corner Of the cemetery there is another
patch of graves. Over these no marble
shafts point sunward Instead there rests
at the head of each mound narrow pine
board, made yellow by wind and weather.
On this board there is painted in letters of
la
before these graves in company with
a party of gentlemen with these green
mounds and this epitaph of one syllable star
ring me in the face, | was asked what /
thought of the Inscription. l answered
that IL was the grandest that could have
been written. and that | wanted no grander
placed upon my tomb. Every Confederate
our Sunny Southland. Had it not
been for the encouragement and
love Of daughters. sisters and
wives, the struggle would have ended much
sooner. What they endured for us should
never be forgotten, but should be crown of
glory 10 the sex. And now, my comrades,
again bid you a hearty welcome in hehalf
Of Il, f. Lee camp.
Judge II. ]. league, 4 member of Ross
brigade. on behalf of the association re-
Sponded to the address of welcome. Judge
league said: in the first place
On behalf Of the Confederate vet
Grams who have assembled in
'ort Worth. l desire to thank the gen
lemen who have spoken so kindly and
through them to thank the citizens of Fort
u orth. We accept the kind expressions for
heir fuil worth. and feel certain that,
1 but echoes the sentiment of the people of
Tort Worth. We have become gratified at
Dur reception, and assure you that we shall
axe nothing home save kind remem-
Frances of our stay in Your city.
This could be made the occasion for re-
marks of Il varied nature, but | wish to
peak 4 word for the soldier who lost his
I'll far that which he thought was right.
For him who fought and lost all
Except honor. i word of good cheer is al
ways salutary. When | met my immediate
~ Terrell, some Years aSo at the
inst reunion pleasant feelings came over me- |
When saw these old comrades whom had |
asst seen on the bloody field of battle and
alked with them of the old battle grounds |
II the lost cause, and of the brave boys |
Who have left us. breasts heaved and faces |
1lanched that had not done so since |
he scenes We talked of had been IN reality |
'nIcted. / knew then that the bond of |
was unbreakable and would last |
Trough life. TWAS the Confederate soldier |
~ presents itself that may =
'XrreSs my appreciation of his lofty char |
cter and high attachments. 1t may seem |
TRANCE to the youth of the country to see |
Is meet together and to witness the en- |
huSiasm displayed, but 10 you. my dear |
II seems natural
Judge league then reviewed the causes |
vhich led 10 the war. and showed why the
,eOp!e of the South thought il WAS their