The morning news., 1892-03-18
GEN. .SICKLESATATLANT
az AND GEN. LONGSTREET HUG
EACH OTHER AT A BANQUET.

wild With Enthusiasm the Other
Guests Leap on the Tables and
Chairs and Burst Into a Whirlwind
of Cheers-A Bitter Feeling Against
the Visitor in Certain Quarters.
ATLANTA, GA, March 17.-Atlanta is in
a state OF unusual excitement over the visit
of Gen. Daniel Sickles. who arrived here
this afternoon. Gen. Sickles is to address
Hill Club mass meeting at the opera house
tomorrow night. He was attacked in
Yesterdays Journal as corrupt politician
and denounced as most bitter south hater.
Quotations from speeches he was alleged TO
have made were published in which be
arraigned the south in the bitterest terms
before he Joined the Democratic party ten
wears ago. To-day the erraignment OF Zen.
Sickles is continued by the Journal
Public feeling was greatly stirred up over
the situation, and when Gen. Sickles arrived
this afternoon he did not meet with gem
eral welcome As be passed through the
Kimball house rotunda he was pointed out
aud discussed in very uncomplimentary
terms by the crowd gathered there. The
most undignifed and abusive language was
used in reference 20 him and several per-
sonal encounters were imminent, when
more conservative citizens protested
DENIAL BY GEN. sICKLEs.
Gen. Sickles in an interview, when shown
the articles in which he was denounced. de-
MED that he had ever said anything against
the south, but on the contrary had always
been friendly toward the southern people,
He said the alleged quotations from his
speeches were malicious perversions
of the truth by political enemies. As to
his democracy, be said, the people Of his
own state had sufficient confidence in him
TO make him chairman Of the state conven-
tion and send him to the Chicago oonven-
tion, which was a sufficient answer to that
charge. He felt keenly the bitter feeling
manifested here. All sorts of
sesh talk is INDUCED in
by some Of the hot-headed element in re-
gard to Gen. Sickles speech tomorrow
night, and it is awaited with no little anx-
iety. 1t is generally admitted by the Hill
enthusiasts themselves that a blunder was
made in inviting Gen. Sickles TO Atlanta.
Consequently the situation is highly inter-
ssting.
THRILLING SCENE.
A thrilling scene was enacted at the st.
Patrick's banquet given by tho Irish societies
of the city tonight. One of the invited
guests was Gsn. Daniel Sickles. Gen. james
Longstreet heard that Gen. Sickles was to
be In Atlanta and came down from Gaines
vile TO meet him. Gen. Sickles and Gen.
Longstreet were the fighting commanders
at Gettysburg, and IL was in Gen. Long
streets charge that Gen. Sickles lost his
leg. The two had not met since that
memorable time, and Gen. Longstrest could
not let to-day's opportunity pass Tonight
he also attended the st. Patriok's banquet.
He was given the seat Of honor amid
great enthusiasm. Early in the evening
Gen. Sickles was called upon to speak. In
the course Of his remarks he paid Gen.
Longstreet high tribute, closing with an
eloquent and patriotic description Of Gettys-
burg. When Gen. Sickles sat down Gen.
Longstreet was called. The old war horse
of the confederacy arose, and without a
word walked around the table to where
Gen. Sickles sat. Gen. Sickles arose and
leaned upon his crutches as Gen. Longstreet
approached. Then, in silence when the
two met, they placed their arms about each
others necks. The simple scene was deeply
thrilling. In an instant there was
the widest enthusiasm. Men climbed
upon the tables regardless of glassware or
eatables and fairly shook the roof with
their cheering, while the two old veterans
hugged each other until tears ran down
their cheeks.