The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-05-23


morning opened with drizzliug rain and
nisagrceablo atmosphere There was not
n moments cessation Of the penetrating
mist. and the streets are muddy and slip
perry. There arc fully thirty thousand VS.
.fors BOO the city The banners bearing the
names Of the States. strung across Main
street. in the order of the secession OF
The several States, are wet ANA dripping,
nni the myriad flags arc twlned ana
sfaGol and everywhere fuitcr heavily.
General Gordon. who arrived last nieht.
has been overwhelmed with visitors this
morning. crowding around him 10 shake
the hand OF him who led them in so
many stormy conflicts.
rHr CONVENTION orTNTD.
Nine O'Clock was the hour an which tho
convention was to- have been opened but
81 was nearer II when President Cleve-
land. OF the United Confederate veterans
Relief Association, opened the meeting.
The vast auditorium. holding 1000 people,
was crowded to ITS utmost capacity Ihe
seats as they recelcd from tho huge plat
form roso in aWphitlc1trIcM style. the
dclcgatos of each State having their io-
cality designated hy banners. Around
three sides of the building runs spa
ClOus balcony. The entire interior is clab-
ana behind me STAGE are four large Amer
Jean flags. drapa1 around Che cilgy of am
eagle painted boo brilliant colors. while ON
each side were hung Confederate c0lor5
in half-rosotte. Along thc edge OF the plat
form was row of palmcit0s relieving
the background as 30 appeared from the
audience.
While the crowd was waiting Herbert's
Houston Light Guards Band rendered Ia
milan war melodies
As "DNio.' or Bonnie Blue Flag rose
successfully through the vast building the
hum of the great audience burst iu deaf
cnlns crcsceudos OF cheers ANA applause.
DR. JONES pnAyER.
At about 1850 o'clock General John b.
Gordon mounted the platform. lie was
looking The picture of health and bowed
IA graceful acknowledgment as the crowd
greeted him with long and continued
applause. President cleveland, Of the
SCIfederato Veterans, introduced Chap
lalu-ooucral Jones, who opened the mect-
Ine with prayer Die called upon the
God of Abraham. Isaac and jacob, the
God of jefferson Davis, TO Doe with the
veterans af this reunion. t0 he with them
iu their deliberations. TO bless every Sec
tou off our country, 90 bless the manned
Coufedcrates here and cat home, and
yaise up friends to care for them in days
50 come.
Mr. Cleveland followed in a brief adj
dress Under the conquered flag. he
said. they had come together 90 honor
The cause for which 10 waved. They
had mot to-day under the blessings of
peace boz cheerful acceptance OF their hcrl-
taes of defeat. without criticism. Cap
ff. Welcomed rho 8,l.safes IN the hearts
and homes of r.xae. the realization of
IHlIr nrIenfU.f dreams
''''
Mh. ''lhih9oN Ahnhf p.
In closing Doe presented Charles Culhcr-
son. Who rul ihtt lN' anne il'aI '"ini ii't7f
fcons from the multiplied wrong of mon-
archy. planted themselves ODD wilderness
Mnen .ne .'.., ..,.'',.,'',, w T I-nde,
'-i.,..,.',,, '.,,, ff. fnstffntion of Slavery
~ ,..''. ,......,.ig..l n,. g, roa lorif, at t6e
S-o,tb and minority at th. South. proper
r.. teir.- made lor the safety of slaves
~ "a" .......,,, ,,,fis,i.5 fo foprish. and the
--,I ...,,.n.l fn. Slave trade uutU the
.f Slaves i9 The south made
tt.., ,.r,ffa1f. Craving manufactures
~ dion, ,,.nio,nenf and they were
t,t, fte ,ttrn and ,yoof of our
'o.,.i s,stln
,rtn Eorr ar this time exhibited
,,,,t-ter.8 Conscience ass t0 the wrong of
f...h.lilr. and when disuuion was
.t....,.,.4 inraiinr armies were sent
,,.r.. eor.r.frn and indcpnndcnt
c..,o. a., r.n,sin iu fine Union. The chal-
49,. f..f,.. made there was no choice
Tho States but acceptance tAp-
,,i,n.el Ire paid "a high tribute 90 the
srcat leader whose daughter honors as
with her presence To-day. tAppiause)
He eul0eilei the glory of the southern
cause DO was the prOuiest act of nus
official life 60 welcome the veterans OF
That cause.
AT the conclusion OF the Governor
Fgscch the band played "rhc Bonnie
Tue Flar" ANA the crowd burst ioith
I'm loud applause.
MAYOR Browne then rose and extended
IL the visitors the hospitality of The city
r,,.rp.f .,nnoS
,,... ,.......i cnrlo, ,,as introduced
the crowd went Wild and 10 was some
ffme before the speaker could proceed.
The General said.
'GoNtrlDr Mr. Mayor, NoMi"uts' a"I
Fellow -Countrymen.
"lt is my official duty ana hish pfiNl-
lcge 90 respond in henail OF my COM
iades, of this gracious welcome, ana YEN
der mWiiicent hospi'"Ily ny '"e Guy ol
Houston, ana 0la't OF ieN"7, "'s "'
charte leii'.c oi '"' O,5S anu .,s.
no higher uinuie 'ouid ~. PAM 20 gus
great people 'n.n 20 say .H"' '''"
piialiy la "o' ."9 O' ,N'1' ..........,
"fhe aaa'i'',iiNh Vi t" y"
Veterans J" ,''' ~.