The San Francisco call., 1895-05-23
CAUSE OF THE SOUTH,
Story of the War as Related
in General S. D. Lees
Report.
SAYS IT IS M1sREPREsENTED.
Miss Winnie Davis Receives Great
Ovation From the Enthusi-
astic Veterans.

HOUSTON, Tex, May 22.-This city is
in holiday attire and the streets are filled
with old soldiers here to attend the re-
union of Confederate Veterans. General
John B. Gordon, commander-in-chief of
the United Confederate Veterans, is the
principal guest of honor.
Tonight there are 5000 people in the
Auditorium, and as many outside unable
to get in. The jam was terrific. 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 demonstration. General Cor
don, when quiet had been partially re-
stored, delivered his address, at the con-
pointed. and then 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 from the Union to
avoid the continued breaches of that do
mestic tranquility guaranteed but not
consummated by the constitution, and not
the high moral purpose of the North to
destroy slavery, which followed incident
ally after as war measure.
"As to the war itself and the results of
the war, the children of the future would
be astonished that people fought SO hard
and SO long with SO little to fight for, judg-
ing from what they gather from histories
now in use, prepared by writer's from the
North. They are utterly destitute of in
formation as to the events leading to the
war. Their accounts of the numbers en-
gagged, courage displayed, sacrifices en-
dured, hardships encountered and bar
barity practiced upon an almost defense
less people, whose arms-bearing population
was in the army, are incorrect in every
way.
ga people who for four long years fought
over almost every foot of their territory,
on over 1000 battle-felds, with the odds
of 2,S64,272 enlisted men against their
600, 600 men and their coasts blockaded
and rivers filed with gunboats, with 600
vessels of war manned by $1,000 sailors,
and who protracted the struggle until
over half of their soldiers were dead from
casualties of war, had something to fight
for. The fought for the great principle OF
local self-government and the privilege OF
managing their own affairs, and for the
protection of their homes and firesides.
"While the South will 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 SYM
pathetic 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 re-
suits of that war and its effects upon the
South and our common country.
1--WE cannot too strongly urge upon our
people the great Importance of avoiding as
far as possible the purchasing and dissem-
mating of books and literature which are
unkind and unfair to the South, which be-
little our achievements, impugn our mo-
tives and malign the illustrious leaders.
"In conclusion we would respectfully
recommend that DIR. ]. F. McCurry, the
patriot, statesman, philosopher and edu-
Gator, be invited to deliver an address at
our next annual reunion, on the subject oi
slavery, notification and secession, with
special reference to the attitudes of the
people of the North and South to these
three leading questions of American his.
tory"
At the conclusion Of this report so great
was the din that adjournment was had
until 7:30 P. NJ, and then Miss Winnie
Davis, the Daughter of the Confederacy, y
was introduced. A wild shout went ur
that fairly made the enormous building
tremble. Hats were flying in the air, gray
haired men were cheering and yelling
completely drowning the music made by
the band, which was playing "Bonnie
Blue Flag"
1t had been intended that Miss Davis
should greet each veteran by handshake
but the masses of old veterans were sc
rush was made for the place where Miss
Davis stood, and in an instant she was
surrounded by mass of men, all pushing
pellmel to grasp her hand. Realizing
the danger Of such crush, Governor
Lowry and several others extricated Miss
Davis from the crush, and placed he,
where she could be seen by all and bow
her Acknowledgements. A royal shout
greeted her appearance, drowning her ut.
terances, but demonstrating that the
children of Jefferson Davis are dear to
those who for four years followed the stars
and bars. Soon afterward Miss Davis was
driven to the residence of Judge Master.
son.
General Schofeld was confined to his
hotel all day on account of bad weather
and was given receptions both morning
and evening. The general and party left
tonight for San Antonio and will return
home via ST. Louis.