The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-05-23

John B. Gordon, commander-in-chief
of the United Confederates veterans, is
the principal guest of honor. Rain be-
gan falling at daylight with a chilly
east wind, disarranging many events
in the programme. AT IL o'clock Col
onel w. D. Cleveland opened the first
business session and introduced Cen
eral Charles Culberson, who, in glow
ing words, welcomed the veterans to
Texas. Mayor John 7. Browne follow
ed, extending the hospitality of Hous-
ton. General John B. Gordon replied
to the address of welcome on behalf
of the U. c. V. The parade in honor Of
Miss Winnie Davis has been postponed
until tomorrow.
Eight Thousand Present.
There were 5000 people in the Audi
forum, and as many outside unable to
get admittance. The jam was terrific.
When General Gordon rose to speak,
the band struck up 'DiXie," but Its
strains could not be heard, so great
was the din raised by the vocal Gem
onStration.
General Gordon, when quiet had been
partially restored, delivered his adj
dress, at the conclusion Of which COM
mittees were appointed and then Cen
eral S. D. Lee. as chairman of the his
torical committee, read his report,
which, among other things, says:
The true cause of the war between
the states was the dignified withdraw
al of the southern states from the
Union to avoid the continued breaches
of that domestic tranquility guaran-
teed but not consummated by the con.
stitution, and not the high moral pur-
pose of the north to destroy slavery,
"a
war measure.
History GarbIed.
"As to the war itself, and the re-
suits of the war, the children of the
future would be astonished that a
people fought SO long and so hard
with so little to fight for, judging from
what they gather from histories now
in use, prepared by writer's from the
north. They are utterly destitute OF
information as to events leading to
the war. Their accounts of the num-
bers engaged, courage displayed, sac
rifices endured, hardships encoun-
tered, and barbarities practiced upon
an almost defenceless people, whose
arms-bearing population was In the
army, are incorrect in every way.
"a people who for four long years
fought over almost every foot of their
territory, on over $1,000 battlefelds.
with the odds of 2.S64,272 enlisted men
against 100000 men, and their coasts
blockaded and rivers filled with gum
boats, with six hundred vessels of war
manned by $1,000 sailors and who
protracted the sts%ggle until over
one-half of their soldiers were dead
from casualties of war, had something
to fight for. Ehey fought for the great
principle of local self-government,
and the privilege of managing. their
own affairs, and for the protection of
their homes and firesides.
Want the Truth Told.
'rWhile the south would detract not
an iota from the patriotic motive and
endeavor of those opposing them, she
intends that the truth of history shall
be written by a sympathetic and
friendly pen, to give her credit for
what our ancestors did, and for what
was done by the south in the war be-
tween the states; also to chronicle the
results of that war and its effects upon
the south and upon OFT common
country.
our people the great Importance OF
avoiding as far as possible the pur-
chasing and disseminating Of books
and literature which are unkind and
unfair to the south, which belittle our
affairs, impung our motives and
malign the illustrious leaders.
I'm conclusion we would respectfully
recommend that DR.. ]. F. McCurry, the
patriot, statesman, philosopher and
educator, be invited to deliver an adj
dress at our next annual reunion, on
the subject of slavery, notification
and secession, with special reference
to the attitude of the people north and
south to these three leading questions
of American history"
Great Was the Din.
At the conclusion of this report, SO
great was the din that adjournment
was had until $50 p. M, and then Miss
Winnie Davis, the Daughter of the
Confederacy," was introduced. a wild
shout went up that fairly made the
enormous building tremble-hats were
flying in the air, gray-haired men were
cheering and yelling, completely
drowning the music made by the
band. which was playing Bonnie Blue
Flag"
1t had been intended that Miss Da-
Wis should greet each veteran by a
handshake, but the masses of old vet