Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-05-23
C0NFEDERATES.
An Immense Gathering ofEx-SOldiers
at Houston, Texas---The Greatest
Enthusiasm Over the Appearance Of
General Gordon and Winnie Davis.
The Historians Report

Houston, Tex, May 22.-Rain caused
an entire change in the programme for
the first day of the Confederate Veter-
ans Reunion.
When General Gordon rose to speak
the band struck up Dixie" but its
strains could not be heard, so great was
the din raised by the vocal demonstra-
ton given the beloved chieftain.
General S. d. Lee as chairman of the
Historical Committee, read his report,
which, among other things, says:
"The true cause OF the war between
| the States was the dignified withdrawal
| of the Southern States TO avoid the
| continued breaches Of that domestic
tranquility guaranteed, but not con-
summated, by the constitution, and not
the high moral purpose of the North
to destroy slavery, which followed in
cidentally as war measure. AS TO
the war itself, the children of the fu-
| ture will be astonished that a people
fought so hard and so long with so
little to fight for, judging by what
they gather from histories now in use,
prepared by writer's from the North.
They are utterly destitute of informa-
| tion as to events leading to the war.
| Their account of the numbers engaged,
courage displayed, sacrifices endured,
hardships encountered, and barbarity
| practiced upon a almost defenseless
people, whose bearing population
was in the field, are incorrect in every
way.
"A people who for four long years
fought over almost every foot of their
| territory, on our 1000 battle fields,
with the odds of 2,S64,272 enlisted men
against their 100000 enlisted men, and
their coasts blockaded and rivers filled
with gunboats, with 600 vessels Of war,
manned by $4,000 sailors, and who pro-
tracted the struggle until over one-half
| Of their soldiers were dead from cas-
ualties of war, had something to fight
for. They fought for the great prin-
ciple of local self-government and the
privilege of managing their own affaira
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 pen, to give her credit for
what our ancestors did and for what
was done by the South in the war be-
tween the States. Also to chronicle
the results Of that war and its effects
upon the South and upon our common
country.
I'VE cannot too strongly urge upon
our people the great importance Of
avoiding, as far as possible, the pur-
chasing and disseminating of books
and literature which are unkind and
unfair to the South, which belittle our
achievments, impugn our motives, and
malign the character of our illustrious
leaders"
At the conclusion of this report so
great was the applause that adjourn
ment was had until 1880 p. m, and then
Miss Winnie Davis, the daughter of
the Confederacy," was introduced
A wild shout went up then that fair
w made the enormous building trem-
BILE. Never was there seen such a
demonstration. Hats were flying in
the air, gray-haired men were cheer
ing and yelling, completely drowning
the music made by the band, which
was playing the Bonnie Blue Flag. 8"