The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-05-23
By Southern Associated Press.

1850 o'clock when Gen. j Ohm b. Cor
don mounted the platform. He Was
looking the picture of health and
bowed graceful acknowledgment as
She the crowd greeted him with loud
and long continued applause. Presi.
dent Cleveland, of the Confederate
Veterans Relief Association, intro
d1ced ChaplaiE Gen. j. w. Joues, who
opened the meeting with prayer He
called upon the God OF Abrabnm, Isuac
and Jacob, the God OF Jefferson Davis,
10 be with the veterans mt this reunion;
so be with them in their deliberations;
60 bless every section Of our common
country; TO bless the manned Confed-
crates here and ut home and raise up
friends to care them III days to come.
President Clev elnnd followed III u
brief address. Under the conquered
dag, he said. they had come together
90 nonor the cAuse for which il saved.
They had met to-day under the bless
aug of peace i'll cheerful acceptnuce of
shelr heritage of defeat without criti
eism (applause). He welcomed the
delegates TO the hearts and homes of
Texas, the realization of their bright
est dreams. In closing lie presented
Gov. Ohares Culberson, who said that
the American colonists, fleeing from
pinnted themselves i'll wilderness
when the essential principle of their
economy was local sell government.
Under this Institution grew the in
otitution of slavery. Tins was recoR
piZed by q ma jority at the North and
minority OF the South, proper laws
being made for tho safety OF slayers.
The sl stem continued TO flourish and
she North pursued the slave trade until
in the increase Of slaves in the South
made it Improbable. Growing maui.
factures gave them employment aud
sheY were woven into the warp
and woof of our social sNs.
t.n. The North at this time
exhibited quickened conscience
as to the wrongs of slave holding md
when disuniou was threatened, Iuvad-
ing armies were sent to coerce GOV
srign and Independent States to ro-
main III the Union. The chaleuge
beng made there was no choice for
she States but acceptance (applause).
he paid high tribute to the great
leader, whose daughter honors us with
her presence o,day" (applause), aud
eulogized the glory OF ihe Southern
cause. Ii was the proudest act of his
Official life to welcome the veterans
of that cause.
At the conclusion of the Governors
= speech the band played Tho Bonnie
Blue Fiag" and the crowd burst forth
In loud applause. Mayor Browne then
rose and extended TO the visitors the
hospitality of tho city. When Gen.
Gordon was introduced the crowd went
wild, and II was some time before the
epeaker could proceed Gen. Gordon
snid II wes pleasant duty to respond
TO the characteristic hospitalities of
Texas. Around the name OF this State
ore gathered glorious and hallowed
memories and high hopes OF rich con
srlbutIens to the future OF the Republc.
She has q genial climate and rich
soil. Iu history she has the memories
of the Alamo Goliad aud San Jacinto.
The deeds OF Houston, of Austin, OF
Travis and Lamar will never be for
gotten. The assembly of these war
ecnrred veterans In this wnr-s scared
State recalls n striking contrast in their
war experiences. SIXTY years ago
Texas won her fight for national inde.
pendence. Thirty years ago these ex-
Confederates lost their fight for sepa-
rate nationality, hut to.day's victories
was not more glorious and grand than
were these bruye men around HIM i'll
their overwhelming defent. Applause.
lie recalled three achievements Ill
the history of Texas peace career The
first is tho reconstruction, mainly
through your inetrumentaity Of the
labor system Of this far section. IL had
been destroy ed, yet you undertook its
Teconstruction and adapted yourselves
Go the new conditions.
Gl"The second was Your astounding
success in achieving financial inde.
pendence for your families.
Gen. S. ID. Lee, chairman of the
Committee on History read his report.
While Gen. Lee was reading his report
Miss Winnie DAVIS, with her escort.
consisting Of many lediee, mnde her
appearance on the stage. She was
greeted with All outburst of applause.
which forced the speaker to suspend,
and for several minutes the utmost con
fusion prevailed.
When Gen. Lee finished the yeter
aus were invited TO pass in review be-
fore Miss Dnvis, after Adjournment,
which was then taken from l to 7
O'Clock. The crush and confusion was
60 great that there was actual danger OF
fatalities.
Mies Winnie advanced TO the front
of the platform and smliugIy raising
her hands. said she knew size could
sely upon the members "as men md
A'aYena To fnlloE tho rulao sal ...i--