The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-07-03
MONUMENT TO DAVIS.
Laying OF Corner Stone Drew Many
Thousands 10 Richmond.

Richmond. July 3.-Never before In fits
history, not even upon the occasion OF
the unveiling of the Lee monument I'm
1890. has Richmond seen such a crowd
within her limits as that which was as
sembled here yesterday, to witness the
laying of the cornerstone OF the monu-
ment to the memory of Jefferson Davis.
II was the last and greatest day of the
sixth annual reunion of the United Con-
federate Veterans association. which
has brought to Richmond altogether
about $4,000 veterans, besides thousands
OF other visitors Yesterdays exercises
added 10000 visitors and young soldiers
to the vast throng.
Wednesday night, history repeated
itself in the scene which the capitol hill
presented. A small army Of grizzled
men. In jackets OF gray, slept upon the
green sward around the old state house.
with coats for pillows and the grassy
lawn for their beds. A full thousand
spent the night on the capitol grounds
The city was gaiy decorated. Here
and there on the streets, faded and
tattered battlefiags, relics of the Lost
Cause, fioated like gaunt skeletons in
the air. attracting constantly surging
crowd OF men In gray around them.
The veteran cavalry held a meeting to
take steps toward erecting a monument
to General j. l.. b. Stuart. Colonel Will
lam Hempstreet of Prooklyn made
speech, in which he spoke kindly OF the
treatment which he had received by
veterans. and said he thought they were
all true to the American flag. But he
added he was disappointed to find so
ut 81 fyfl iat
In decorating their houses.
Lieutenant George p. Hall Of Virginia
replied TO Colonel Hempstreet by say
ing the southern people do not wear
their patriotism on their coats, but in
their hearts; the south was as true as
any section to the Union. and IL the presi-
dent should call for troops to oppose a
foreign foe, the south would be the first
section to respond.
The convention was opened at 10
o'clock. The session was a very short
one. General Gordon made a brief ad-
dress, praising Richmonds hospitality.
A memorial was submitted asking that
the name OF the United Confederate
veterans be changed to Confederate
Survivors association. A request that
the memorial be sent 10 all camps In
the association was adopted.
An invitation was extended from the
Philadelphia brigade to attend the re-
union of the Blue and Gray at Wash
ington, Sept. 16, when a monument to
the brigade will be unveiled at Antietam.
General Gordon said the invitation would
be sent to the various camps for action.
Rev. j. William Jones was opposed 10
this, on the ground that this was the
brigade that kicked up the row in Rich
mond about marching behind the Con-
federate flag
General Gordon replied: "Dr. Jones
belongs to a church that believes in con-
version. Our friends have long since
repented their action"
Yes. but they should bring forth
fruits meet for repentance" responded
Mr.. Jones.
A paper from Louisiana, in reference
to the monument to southern women,
was referred 10 the monument commit
tee. and General Gordon said would
eleep there.
petition from Fredericksburg, In re-
ference to a national park at Battle
field. near that place, was approved
After resolutions of thanks to Rich
nond and General Gordon, the conven-
tion adjourned.