Birmingham age-herald., 1895-08-30
The Day at Lakeview.


 o'clock went out to Lakeview, where the days exercises were to take place. They were accompanied by a large number Of friends, including several Grand Army Of the Republic men. The threatening weather prevented the people from as sembling as rapidly as they otherwise would have done and it was 10:30 when the house was called to order by Dr. 0. T. DoZier, chairman of the committee in charge.
 On the stage were Commander G. c. Arlington of Camp Hardee, Comman- der A. P. Stone of George A. Custer post Grand Army of the Republic Gen, Fred S. Ferguson, Col B. L. Hubbard, Col, M D. Wickersham, Maj. w. H. Hunter, Col. R. E. Jones' Capt. w. H. Bridewell, Capt. W. E. Zedker, Chaplain M. H. Wells, Commander Bostic, pr. O. T. Do- zer and others.
 A prayer was offered by Chaplain M H. Wells.
 Chace's band, under the directorship of Prof. Henri Weber, furnished the mu- sic and delighted the audience with their selections, most of which were national and Confederate airs, such as "The Star Spangled Banner" Dixie Yankee Doodle" Maryland, My Maryland" ," "The Bonnie Blue Flag" and others.
 On the stage was the large United States flag of Camp Hardee and the one to be presented to George H. Custer post Sons of Veterans, United States of Amer ica, by Camp Hardee.
 Dr. Dozier then introduced Gen. Fred s. Ferguson who was to make the well come address on behalf of Camp Hardee
 General Ferguson's Speech.
 General Ferguson said he recognized years ago that this was his country as much as anyone's. When Johnston and Lee laid down their swords and surren- dered he became a citizen of this country II.
 Continuing he said: There is victory in peace as well as in war. When I see in our midst men whom once we fought with all the vigor of our manhood with their brains and their capital assisting us in the development of this section realize that the victory is ours, though we were vanquished in war. I never could tell why Christians who meet to- gether in Christian love could fight each other But I believed I have discOvered the cause and some of you may be sur prised when you hear It. We didn't know each other. We didn't have friend ly intercourse with each other. If the northern people had known us and we had known the northern people there never would have been any war between us The last ten months of the war l was in federal prison. On the 10th day of June, 1865, I was released and went down to Boston and stood before
 
 came out to see us, to see what we looked like. In the crowd were a great many ladies and one girl came up and asked me for button off my coat She wanted it as mementO l hadn't seen a woman in ten months and had forgot ten what calico looked like. I was anx- ious for irritation and she didn't seem to object. She asked me if I fought against the union. I replied in the af- firmative and she wanted to know why l did it. told her I didn't know she was up there or I wouldn't. That's the way it was with us. We didn't know the people up north and they didn't know us.
 q hope this country will never again be disturbed by war
 "The north. never did recognize that Jefferson Davis was opposed to seces- sion. But he was. His own people in Mississippi refused to let him know what was going on in the state.
 "The purposes of the United Confeder- ate Veterans organization is to bring out and preserve an impartial history of the war. They love to dream of the past, and most of them are too old to again shoul- der arms, but they love their country. No impartial history of that conflict has ever been written and cannot be now. Actors in that event cShnot make impar- tian statements about it"
 Turning to the Grand Army of the Re public men on the stage General Fergu- son said: ''lt IS W1tH uflS sentiment oIs fraternal spirit we greet you today. Whether you wore the blue or the gray we invite you to unite with us in paying homage to the common flag of our re- united country"
 Major Hunters Speech.
 After selection by Chase's band Mai w. H. Hunter, a member of the local Grand Army of the Republic camp, was introduced by Dr. O. T. DoZier. He spoke of his appreciation of the honor of re- spending to such an eloquent and fra ternal welcome as the audience had just heard from General Ferguson. He said the words of good cheer and cordial friendship sank into his heart. He said fraternity, charity and loyalty were the golden chain that bound together the Grand Army of the Republic, and he said he was glad to find it was the same that bound all Americans to each other He said differences between nations had always been submitted to the sword for arbitration and settlement and urged toms entire line of Gents fine