Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-21
TENT FILLED AGAIN AT NIGHT.
Gathering OF Survivors of Two of the Great
Hostile Armies.

Barnums tent was filled again last
night. There was gathering there OF
the survivors of the army of northern Nir
ginia and that portion of the army of the
Potomac which fought at Chickamauga.
General f. c. Walthall, of Mississippi,
presided In calling the meeting to order
he said in part: ITO b" chosen tO preside
over an assembly like this is q proud dis
tinction, for which am profoundly CRATE
full. My selection for such duty involves
the ilattcring implication that l am
deemed worthy to represent the soldier OF
the south and all he stands for.
He raised his hand against the north
because he had been taught it was his
duty 10 battle for the right, and inStitu
tions Of his state. A sentiment he had in
hcritcd, ingraincd in his nature. sustained
him through the fierce, long struggle in
which he was destined to be beaten. After
the lapse of thirty years, since his banners
went down for him, in his name, it is my
pride and pleasure To greet his former foe
men whom he joins in doing honor TO oac
reunited cOuntry's flag
Colonel w. G. Oates governor of Ala
bama, was greeted with enthusiastic
cheers. In his Introductory remarks Gov
prilbr odfcS TtlPFrtJ! tfltEllSi;t-t ici:lty 10
the significance the dedication OF the
battlefield of Chickamauga possessed.
The Union veteran by this ceremony cx-
tolled his own Sallantry by which alone
he was able to triumph over such deter
mined foes as We're those of the Confcd-
crate army. He spoke OF the causes of tie
war. AS to slavery it was contrary to
natural rights, but it was a lawful state
institution and was 80 recognized by the
constitution of the United States.
1t was abused by leading men of the pu-
ritancal type, who abused and traduccd
justices of the supreme court for deciding
that slavery was lawful, until their doc
trincs melted a band of fanatics 10 believe
that they Wee inspired by heaven TO i'll
wade southern state for the purpose OF
melting the slaves to instruction. and
when the chief Of these malcfactors was
executed church bells Were tollCd in some
of the northern cities to canonizc him as
a martyr. These were irAtatinT causes
which aroused the feelings of indignation
and prepared the minds of the southern
people for secession from the Union.
Continuing he told how the north had
unlimited credit and resources, while the
south had none; how the north had an
army of 10000 men the south "a little
over GO0,0O men. Superiority of numbers
| enabled the north to win.
Colonel J. \. Williamson, of New York,
| and Colonel l.. Il. Stcgman, of New York
also spoke, after which the meeting ad
| journcd.
\ reception was rendered Vice Prcsi-
| dent stevenson, General Schoflcld and the
visiting governors ut the Read House las,
night. Among those present were Gov
ernor Mckinley, Governor Rich. General
| Grosvcnor and other distinguished men
| For two hours solid mass of humanity
| poured by and all were introduced nnd
| fully 5000 men and women shook hand:
with the distinguished party.
Governor Altgcld, of Illinois, headed the
train of outgoing officials. At 5 O'Clock
| the visiting members of the cabinet start
! ed ON their return to- Washington. TIL,
| railroads are crowded To the utmost il
handling the departing guests. Governol
Morton's big cight-car special has left fol
| Atlanta, which Is the next objective poin
in the journey of the most of the visitors
| Governor Matthews, of Indiana. with hi
large party, left for indianapolis vi;
| Nashville Indiana had nearly 1000 visi