Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-14
THE FIFTH GRAND REUNION Of United Confederate Veterans to Be Held at Houston, Tex. TO BE A MEMORABLE EVENT.. "Reminiscences of the Fourth Grand Reunion in Birmingham--0rigin and Growth of
 the 0rganization--Gen. John B.
 Gordon's Request.
TO BE A MEMORABLE EVENT.

On May 22, 23, 24, next, the fifth grand reunion of United Confederate Veterans will assemble in Houston, Tex, to trans act such business as may come before them Houston was selected as the place of meeting at the greatest of great reunions of Confederate veterans. held in his city in April last. The citizens Of that city, appreciating fully the hepor of being selected for this memorable gathering. are using every effort toward making 1t, if possible, as great a success as the meeting of the Magic City of the south" How well she will succeed remains to be seen, though Birmingham will not feel jealous should her efforts in this direction be successful, and will lend aIIpossible aid in the endeavor.
 Those who were in this city during the reunion of Confederate veterans VIII long remember the occasion as ansera in their lives. Winnie Davis wigwam, with it's seating capacity of loooo' proved incapable of accommodating the immense throng, and though many stood in the aisles and around the walls, there were hundreds who were forced to turn away.
 Then. too. the monster parade in which were seen battle scared veterans of the cause so dear to all, flags tattered and torn by bullets of the opposing fac ton, put together by fair fingers or the south's noble women, each in ltselI history of that never-to-be-forgotte past; and old uniforms, marred by ruth less leaden messengers of death. All these were to be seen, but dearer stlll were the gray-headed heroes who so bravely lead the greatest anu praVess armies that ever marched to victory ana defeat As each majestic form. prander in the eyes of the countless thousands gathered from all countries and climes to do them homage, than all the crown heads of earth, came into sight the earth fairly trembled with the shouts as they arose on thar prfgnl April day, and the majestic Red noun tain hurled them back into the Vaiiey in long continuous rolls.
 The matehIess Gordon, the leader or the shattered remnant of a once mighty host, was with the heroes he loved so dear, and he, too. was lionized as woula have been the beloved Lee, Jackson and others who have long since answered to the roil call among the blessed.
 Not only was one of that vast throng heroes but all-au were near and dear to the southrons gathered on that mem orable occasion.
 Last. but not least, on that occasion to win cheers from the throngs crowded to- gether along the line Of march were the Sons of Confederate Veterans. From the lad in kniokerbcckers to the mature man. all were there, inspiration gathered rom the gray and grizzled heroes just ahead of them depicted on their countenances.
 It must not be forgotten, however. that on the occasion referred to the fairest flowers of the southern states were to De seen in all their queenfy beauty They, too, were the recipients of showers or blessings and thunnerous cheers.
 The strains of martial music, such as awoke the hills and wales in the dark days of lS6l-5, were heard. and the pa triotism awakened in those days. which so long had slumberedt was again aroused, and when the soul-stirring strains of "Dixie" were heard the very heavens resounded with the cheers that went up from old and young.
 It is to be hoped that all the survivors of that noble band who on that April day marched to the strains of martial music will be at the Houston reunion.
 And at the last grand reunion, when the ron shall be called from the Book or Judgment, may they, one and all, rank and file, be present to answer Here"
 June 10 1SS9 in New Orleans. a conyen- tion of delegates from the different states gathered for the purpose of organizing the United Confederate Veterans. II was designed as an organization of ex- Confederate veterans and sailors throughout the length and breadth of the United States. To use the words or Zen. John B. Gordon in his address issued September 8, 1889:
 'The object and purpose. of this organ ization will be strictly social, literary, historical and benevolent. It will en- deavor to unite in a general federation all associations of the Confederate vet erans, soldiers and sailors now in exist ence or hereafter to be formed; to gather 1ato fAr na ifxof. al icfn of the war between the .ates; to pre- serve the relics or m -nentoes of the same; to cherish the ties of friendship that should exist among the men who have shared common dangers. common suffering and privations; to care for the disabled and extend helping hand to the needy; to protect the widow and or phan. and to make and preserve the rec ord of the services of every member, and, as far as possible. of those of our com rades who have preceded us in eternity"
 The constitution prohibits religious or political discussions in the meetings, and no political action whatever can be taken by the camp.
 General Gordon also truly says: "A people without the memories of heroic s,ifferings and sacrifices are people with out a history.
 "ro cherish such memories and recall such a past whether crowned with suc cess or consecrated with defeat" he further says, Ifs to idealize principle and strengthen character, intensity love of country and convert defeat and disas- ter into pillars of support for future manhood and noble womanhood-"
 He conjured all to meet as soon as expedient and organize camps and to send delegates to the first reunion at Jackson, Miss. So signal was the suc- cess Of the first reunion that it was re- solved to make the second still greater.
 Birmingham Honored.
 Birmingham mj de a bid for the honor o< the fourth reunion of United Confed- 7 rate Veterans, and to her was accorded