Evening star., 1896-07-02
Unprecedented Throng Of People at
Richmond, Va
TO See TEE CORNER STONE LAYING
Closing Day Of tho Confederate
Convention.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES


In its history, not even upon the occasion
of the unveiling of the Lee monument in
1880, has Richmond seen such a crowd
within her limits as that which has as
sembled here today beneath a perfect sky,
to witness the laying of the corner stone Of
the monument to the memory Of Jefferson
Davis.
1t Is the last and greatest day Of the
sixth annual reunion of the United Con-
federate Veterans Association. which has
brought to Richmond altogether about H.
600 veterans. besides thousands of other
visitors. Toe Ay's exercises have added 80
600 visitors ard young soldiers to the vast
throng. Last night history repeated itself
in the scenr which the Capitol Hall pre-
sented. 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 Is very gaily decorated Here
and there on the streets faded and tattered
battle flags relics of the lost cause. float
like gaunt skeletons in the air. attracting
gray around them.
The formation of the parade began about
l o'clock. FefOre noon the streets along
the line Of march were almost completely
blocked.
Site of the Battle Abbey.
The Rouss Memorial Hall Association met
this morning and committee was ap-
pointed to obtain a charter for orsanlza-
ton. Gen. Johnson Of Alabama, Gen.
Briggs Of Kentucky. DR.. league Of South
Carolina. Gen. Jackson Of Tennessee were
appointed a committee to visit New York
and confer with Mr.. Rouss and show hlm
the great opposition In the south to locat-
ing the proposed battle abbey in Washing
ton.
In an interview Mrs. Davis expressed de-
cided opposition to locating the battle alb
hey in Washington, and said 1T would be
just as appropriate to erect the monument
to Davis in Boston.
The Veteran Cavalry held a meeting this
morning to take steps toward erecting a
monument to Gen. }. E. b. Stuart. Col
William Hempstreet Of Brooklyn made
speech. in which he spoke kindly OF treat
ment he had received by veterans, and said
he thought they were all true to the Amer
lean flag. But, he added he was d.sap-
pointed TO find SO few flags OF the omon
used by civilians IN decorating their houses.
Lieut. George n. Hall Of Hanover county
Virginia. replied to Col. Hempstreet by
saying the Southern people do not wear
Their patriotism on their coats. but In tneir
hearts; that the south was as true as any
section to the Union, and If the President
should call for troops to oppose a foreign
fee the south would be the first section 70
respond. - ii
The convention was opened at 10 o'clock
With prayer by the Rev. DR.. j. ?. Smith OF
Stonewall Jackson's staff. The session was
very short one.y
General Gordon made a brief address
Iraising Riohmond's hospitality.
A memorial. was submitted, asking that
the name Of sho, United Confederate Vet
Grams be changed to Confederate Survivors
Association A request that the memorial
Ire sent to all camps In the asSocialloh was
adopted, I" 1w 20
An Invitation was extended from the
Philadelphia brigade to attend the reunion
of the blue and gray at Washington Sep
tember 16 wnen monument to the brl-
gade win be unveiled at Antietam.
General Gordon said the invitation would
be sent to the various camps for action.
The Rev. j. William Jones was opposed
to this en- the ground that this was the
brigade that kicked up the row in Rich
mond about marching behind the confeder-
ate flag.
General Gordon replied: "Dr. Jones be-
longs to a church that believes in CONVEX
sion. 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
tie monument to southern women was re-
ferred to the monument committee ana
General Gordon said would sleep there.
A petition from Fredericksburg in refer
ence to a national park at the battlefield
near that place was approved.
After resolutions of thanks to Richmond
ard General Gordon, the convention ad-
journed.
WAsHINGTONIANs AT RICHMOND.
The High School Boys Receive Much