The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-04-26

rx,ensive preparations have Deeh ih"ue
,,o,r reception. The streets are NIL
Cd with people. Manned soldiers some
With one lex and one arm, and some
with no legs or arms at all. nave greet
cd their comrades with a greeting such
q G can be given only by a band VINO
fought together for years for a iost
cause.
All day trains have been coming III
loaded down with passengers. Inc resu,
L. trains on all the roads have had
extra coaches put on ana many rams
have run in sections. Special trains from
Mobile. New Orleans. and other points
Rave been crowded and standing room was
a, p premium. over 10000 visitors are
within the corporate limits of Birming-
ham and more are constantly arriving.
of the crowd from Ne" Ut
leans is made at 1900. Corresponding es-
inmates are made from other places
where reduced rates have been offered
by the railroads. Texas has fully 100
here. Mississippi. Louisiana. Florida.
Missouri, Arkansas, North and south
Carolina. Tennessee, Kentucky. Mary
land. Virginia. West Virginia, and the
Territories have sent their quota. ard
Ills Dil ldl W 1's '''Ho
kind in the history Of the South.
The reception given General Gordon
Yesterday was an ovation. Cannons,
whistles. rebel yells, and ladies hand
kerchiefs greeted him. Other prominent
Confcderates here are Generals Crit
tenden and S. ID. Lee.
THE GAY DECORATIONS.
The city is eaily decorated with Nation
al aud Confe1erafg flags and hunting
floats from every building. Almost all
the wtll-knOwn living ex-Confederates
are in attendance. as well as the Gov
errors of five Southern States. viz: Gov
ernor Jones of Alabama. Governor Tur-
ney of Tennessee. Governor Tilinar of
South Carolina, Governor Hogg Of Texas,
and Governor Stone of Missouri.
The fourth annual reunion Of Con-
federate veterans was formally opened
this morning by General Fred. S. Fer
guson. of the First Alabama brigade, In
Winnie Davis Wigwam. at 9 o'clock.
There were fully 10000 in the building
and many who could not gain access to
the immense hall.
Governor II. q. Jones, OF Alabama,
made a brief but eloquent welcoming
address In behalf Of the State, and was
followed by Hon. David j. Fox. Mayor.
on behalf Of Birmingham. General John
y. Gordon, commander in chief. on be-
half of the United Confederate Veterans.
responded In an able and eloquent man.
ner.
DIR. JONES PRAYER.
In calling blessings upon the fourth
annual e-union OF the United Confed-
crate Veterans and upon what are left.
Mr.. Jones said. in a fervent manner;
Heavenly Father. we ask that Thy
blessings be upon us to-day as we are
gathered together in this reunion. We
thank Thee that Thy blessings were
over us in battle. and we thank Thee
that Thy blessings are over us here
to-day. We thank Thee that while many
have fallen out of our ranks. so many
of us remain to bless Thy name to-day.
We thank Thee that in the days that
tried mems souls, We had men Of cOur-
age to fight for our cause. We thank
Thee that there still remains the prin-
ciples OF justice and truth that we fought
for. We thank Thee that those PRINCIPLES
have been preserved and that the sons
Of veterans to-day maintain the princi-
pies of their fathers. Hear us and an
swer us, and be with us I'm onr ro.
union and grant that the God of Abra-
ham and Isaac and OF Jacob. and the
God of Jackson and OF Johnston and ~
Lee be with us I'm the days that are IN
come. We ask this all in Jesus name
Amen"
After prayer General Ferguson intro
duced to the vast audience his Evcel-
lency, General Thomas c.. Jones. vho
for Alabama. extended the visiting con.
federate veterans a cordial welcome TO
the confines OF Alabama, and assured
them hat during their stay they wonld
be met with hospitality characteristic of
true soldiers.
GOVERNOR JONES' ADDRESS.
He said:
"Gentlemen. Citizens and Countrymen:
The proud honor has fallen to my lot.
In behalf of Alabama. to welcome Won
10 her soil. But what is the mower Of
words compared to the deep feeling that
swells up In our hearts az We confem-
plate the grandeur and significance OF this
meeting. There was never a time when
the soil Of Alabama did not throb when
the feet of a soldier pressed IL. God
bless the soldier In his old age. Some
asked II Ii would not have been better
II these veterans who survived had fallen
In the paths OF bravery while fighting for
justice and right. and avoided the tempta-
tons and trials Of a later time: but If
the career OF the Confederate soldiers
was grand In war IL has not surpassed
hts career In lines of peace. Blu the
soldier In peace has been equal 10 the
soldier In war. We have not met here
to-day In a spirit OF apology or IN a
spirit OF condemnation. Every man who
went into battle with a clean hand came
out with u clean hand-went in as a
brave man and came out as a brave man
Is our countryman. 1t seems but a dream,
those thirty years when the shadow of
Appomattox fell like a pail upon this
land. We look into the eyes to-day OF
the men who followed the great com
mander who fell at Shiloh. We look into
the eyes Of those who heard the i'm
mortal words. See jackson standing like
a stone wall" and. as countrymcn. we
meet here so-day in memory OF d lost
cause.
Your exercises are to be crowded and
j viii not detain you longer. | know
endorse the true sentiment OF every man
In Birmingham and In Alabama when |
say welcome. thrice welcome. God bless
the Confederate veterans"
MAYOR rox's nyN.nxs.
Mayor Fox was then introduced by Cen
erai ferguson 10 extend to the visiting
people a hearty. cordial and warn well
come 70 Birmingham, a city now, but I'M
known when the old soldiers who are now
here were fighting for what
they thought to be right.
IN response to these welcomes which