The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-11-29
SURVIVORS WELCOMED.
Augusta in the Hands OF Old Confed-

AUGUSTA, Ca, Nov. 23.-About 1900
Confederate veterans gathered in line
to day to celebrate ihe first day of the
reunion of Confederate veterans held
under the auspices of the Augusta Ex-
position and Georgia State Fair. Ttey
were present here from every secGlOn
of the South, and made up an array Of
battle.scared heroes such as is seldom
seen together. They were glad of the
opportunity to meet again the men
who fought in the same cause that they
did and to hear once more, may be for
The last time, the voice that led them
without faltering whether it be to vic
tory or dafeat. But there was no war
CRY heard to-day. Where once these
heroes met for bloody battles, to-day
they met to grasp the hand Of conf.
rades who are fighting not against an
enemy but with reunited citizens for
the greater glory of the Union and the
prosperity and progress of the South.
at 10 O clock the line was formed on
Broadway, and with music and yells
they marched with some Of the old
time leaders at their head. at the Ex.
position the exercises of the day were
held and addresses of welcome deliv.
cred by President J. o. Waddell of the
Georgia State Agricultural Society and
President Walsh of the Augusta Expo.
sltion.
The address of the day was delivered
by Gen. G. A. Evans, who was in com
1nand of the day. He said: The State
of Georgia. represented by the presi-
dent of the State Agricultural Associa-
tiOn, who was himself q brave Confed-
crate soldier, has hidden US enjoy this
splendid exposition OF Georgia's mag
nlticent resources and no one Is better
fitted to give cordial welcome than
Col. John Waddell. You will agree
with me that it is like pouring honey
upon full honey comb to add any
thing to the praises Of the president of
the Augusta International Exposition.
The city holds him enthroned in its
heart. The State owes him ia debt of
gratitude for the energy and sagacity
with which he has published its rare
resources to this entire union and urged
their development. His fame is as
wide as the country and We all know
that the world itself is not bigger than
the heart of Patrick Walsh. The State
Association and the Augusta Exposi-
ton, wisely combining their powers,
made pledges concerning the exhibi-
ton. of Southern resources which
startled us by their magnitude but the
survey of these halls convince5 US that
every pledge has been redeemed with
wonderful fidelity.
But we are here also, my comrades,
to enjoy a reunion of Southern SOL
diers In our Own way. Coming from
all quarters, we greet each other as
brothers In a glorious strife. We will
not fix bayonets nor fire shot, shell or
minute ball any more. We are true
to this whole country Of ours; for 1t Is
as>much our country as it ever was.
They say we surrendered, but In fact
we did not surrender. What did we
surrender? Not our States, nor con-
stitution, nor principles of government.
We surrendered nothing, The fighting
stopped and we came nome and went
again to work. We are better off than
most people 10 our wealth of f4gs, for
We enjoy the possession Of this sacred
symbol Of sentiment as banner borne
by the hand of affection and behold by
eyes that look to it as the emblem or
heroism, manhood and popular liberty.
We have also as Our own this other
flag which represents our government
and which We hope will wave over
united people and represent the equal
advantages Of all sections under good
as we'll as powerful country en-
eral Crlttenden Of South Carolina also
spoke in the same strain.