The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1895-05-30

are necessarily invalid.
GREAT Ex- CONFEDERATE REUNION.
At Houston, Texas, last week fully
5000 ex-confederstes gathered in
the most enthusiastic re union since
the war. Tho first session was held
on the morning Of May %. After
prayer by DR.. J. William Jones, Of
Virginia, chaplain general, Governor
Culberson was introduced, and he
welcomed the veterans to Texas in Q
Ave- minute address. Mayor Brown
followed with q few brief words Of
welcome and then Colonel Cleveland
introduced General John B. Gordon,
commander. in chief, U. O. v. There
were 5000 people in the auditorium
aud as many outside, unable to gain
admittance. The Jam WAS terrific.
When General Gordon rose to speak
the band struck up "Dixie," but itu
strains could not be heard, SO great
was the din raised by the vocal dem :
onstration given the beloved chief
tain. General Gordon, when quiet
had been partially restored, deliv-
cred an address.
At the conclusion of General Cor
don's address, committees on Gre
dentials and resolutions were ap-
pointed and then Gen 8. D. Lee, as
chairman OF the historical committee
read, his report, in which, among
other things, he said:
"The true cause OF the war be-
tween the states was the dignified
withdrawal Of the southern states
from the union, to avoid the contin
ued breaches of that domestic tran
guilty guaranteed but not consuma-
ted by the constitution, and not the
high moral purpose Of the north to
destroy slavery, which followed
incidentally as a war measure.
Gas to the war itself and the
results Of the war, the children oi
the future would be astonished that
. people fought SO hard and SO long
with so little to fight for, judging
from what they gather from histories
now in use, prepared by writers from
the north. They are utterly destitute
Of information as to events leading
to the war. Their accounts of the
numbers engaged, courage displayed,
sacrifices endured, hardships en-
countered and barbarity practiced
upon an almost defenseless people,
whose arms bearing population was
In the army, are incorrect In every
way.
"a people who for four long years
fought over almost every foot of
their territory, on over 1000 battle
folds, with the odds of 2,674,272
enlisted men againt their 600,0
enlisted men, and their coasts
blockaded and rivers filled with gun
boats, with 900 vessels of war,
manned by $4,000 sailors, and who
protracted the struggle until over
one-half of their soldiers were dead
from casualties Of war, had some
thing to fight for. They fought for
the great principle of local self gov
ernment and the privilege OF man
aging their own affairs and for the
protection Of their homes and fire.
sides.
"While the south would detract not
an iota from the patriotic motive and
endeavor Of those opposing them,
she intends that the truth of history
shall be written by sympathetic and
friendly pom, to give her credit fol
whst our ancestors did, and for what
was done by the south in the wal
between the states. Also to chron.
icle the results OF that war and itI
effects upon the south and upor
our common country.
"ws can not too strongly urge
upon our people the great import
ancs Of avoiding ~ far ~ possible
purchasing and disseminating o.
books and literature which are un'
kind and unfair to the south, which
bslittle our achievements, impugr