Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1895-05-30
Vol. XVII.
THE OLD CONFEDERATES.
FIFTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THEIR
ASSOCIATION.


Drizzling Rain and Raw Atmosphere Does
Not Dampen the Enthusiasm of the
Old Soldiers. The Immense Meeting;
Gen. Gordon's Address. Miss Winnie
Davis Enthusiastic Reception on the
Stage.
\ HOUSTON, Tex, May 22.-
This morning opened up with a
drizzling rain and disagreeable
rawness in the atmosphere
There was not a moments cessa-
ton of the penetrating mist and
the streets were muddy and slip
perry. There are fully thirty
thousand visitors in the city this
morning. The banners bearing
the names of the States strung
across Main street in the order
of secession of the several States
are wet and dripping, and the
myriad flags that are stated
everywhere futter heavily.
Gen. Gordon, who arrived last
night, has been overwhelmed
with visitors this morning,
crowding around him in infor-
NAL enthusiasm to shake the
hand which led them in many a
stormy conflict.
Nine o'clock was the hour in
which the convention was to be
opened, but it was nearer II
o'clock when President Cleve-
land, Of the United Confederate
Veterans Relief Association op-
ened the meeting. The vast au-
ditorium, holding 1000 people
was crowded to its utmost capac-
ity, the seats as they receded
from the huge platform rising in
amphi-theatre style, the dele
gates of each locality having
their locality designated by a
banner. Around three sides of
the building ran a spacious bal
Eony. The entire interior was
elaborately decorated with flags
and bunting. Behind the stage
four large American flags were
draped around the effigy of the
eagle, painted in brilliant colors
while on each side were hung
the Confederate colors in half
rosette Along the edge of the
platform was row of palmet
toes.
While the crowd was waiting
Herbert's Houston Light Guards
band rendered familiar war mel.
odies. AS Dixie" or the
Bonnie Blue Flag" rose sue
cessively through the vast build
: ing the hum of the great audi
Sence burst in deafening crescen
dos of cheers and applause.
It was 1880 when Gen. Johr
B.Gordon mounted the platform
He was looking the picture O.
health and bowed graceful
acknowledgement as the crow(
greeted him with loud and Ions
continued applause.
Chaplain General J. W. Jone
opened the meeting with prayer
He called upon the God of Abra
ham, Isaac and Jacob, the Co
of Jefferson Davis, to be witt
them in their deliberations; t,
bless every section of our com
mon Ocountry: to bless th
4 manned Confederates here an
at home and raise up friends t
care for them in days to come.
President Cleveland follOwe
in brief address. Under tn
conquered flag, he said, they ha
come together to honor the caus
for which it waved. They ha
met to-day under the blessing {
peace in cheerful acceptance {
their heritage of defeat, withol
criticism, [Applause.] He we
coined the the delegates to tE
hearts and homes of Texas, tE
realization of their brighte'
dreams.
In closing he presented Go
ernor Charles Culberson, WI
made an address of welcome. I
paid high tribute to the Gre
leader, whose daughter homo
US with her presence, to~day
and eulogized the glory of II
Southern cause. 1t was Il
proudest act of his official life
welcome the veterans of tn
cause.
At the conclusion of the Go
ernor's speech the band play
1.-The Bonnie Blue Flag" and
crowd burst forth in loud a
plause.
Mayor Browne then rose a
extended to the visitors the he
pitality of the city.
When Gen. Gordon was intr
duced the crowd went wild ano
was some time before the speak
could proceed. Gen. Cord
said it was a pleasant duty to I
pond to the characteristic ht
pitalities of to-day. Continui
he said:
Around the name of tt
State are gathered glorious a
hallowed memories and hi
hopes of the rich contribute
to the future of the republ
She has genial climate AM
rich soil. In history she has
memories of the Alamo Coli
and San Jacinto The deeds
Houston, of Austin, of Ira
and Lamar will never be forg
ten. The assembly of the
war-scared veterans in this W
SCARED State recalls a striki
4 contrast in theirwar exDerienc