Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1896-07-10
THE CORNERSTONE LAID.
6TIuIsd and Feeble Veterans Join In q
Great Parade.
RICHMOND WILD WITH ENTHUSIASM
Bishop CRANBERRY Opens the cere-
monies With Prsyer--Gen. stephen
ID. Lee Orator Of the Day--Impres-
sive Ceremonies.

The cornerstone of the monument
to be erected In Monroe Park to the
memory OF Jefferson Davis, was laid
Thursday afternoon at Richmond, Va.
with ceremonies which were impressive
and pathetic. Under a bright sun and
sky, through densely packed streets.
and with the applause of countless
thousands to cheer them on, the fol.
lowers of the Lost Cause marched
through the city which is dearer to the
old Confederate than any other in the
land. 1t was sight to stir the enthus-
iasm OF the most sluggish nature, as
with bands playing, companies moving
and colors flying the parade passed in
review. Two hundred children. girls
and boys, wearing white and red sashes,
followed the police who cleared the
way and led the procession.
The chief Marshal, Gen. Gordon.
in civilian dress, looked q royal com.
mander, as did Gov. O'Ferrall. who
rode with barred head. Mrs. Jefferson
Davis was in an open carriage and bowed
and smiled as the cheers greeted her on
every side. The sponsors and maids of
honor chosen for their beauty from all
the Southern States, rode in carriages
following that Of Mrs. Davis.
The military, under command of
Brig. Gen. Phillips, represented the
pick of southern soldiers. North Caro-
lima was the first State to exhibit tat
tered battle flag, and as it futtered in
the breeze it was greeted with great
cheers. The veterans made the pathetic
picture OF the parade. Nearly all are
old and for che most part weak and
feeble, but summoning their remaining
strength they marched with pride and
pleasure. A large number of them
carried sticks for support and many
were compelled to use umbrellas in or,
der to Withstand the rays of the sun.
On the backs of the marchers were
many bullet torn Confederate coats.
old canteens, and knap-sacks.
Several darkies, true to their old
masters, marched with them in the
parade, while two old Confederates,
who probably had relieved the monot-
ony of camp life with music, carried
their fiddles and bows.
1t was grand parade and a great
spectacle, one not likely to be Seen
again for years. From 1:45 to $40
o'clock the veterans, sons of veterans
and military passed the city hall. The
column moved very slowly, owing to
the age and disabilities of many Of the
marchers. From the military down to
the dozen Of negro cooks who brought
up the rear, the parade was an impos-
ing and inspiring spectacle. It is esti-
mated that $4,000 men and children
started in the parade, but large num-
Der were affected by the heat and with
drew before they had marched many
blocks.
The members of one camp in the
parade carried wreaths of cedar, en-
closing the inscription: "First at
Bethel, last at Appomattox."
When the procession reached the
park the military formed complete
square around the grounds, preventing
any but those in the parade from en-
tering the enclosure.
The Grand Lodge of Masons, escort.
ed by the Knights Templar, marched
to the park, where the cornerstone
was laid with Masonic ceremonies.
Prayer was offered by Rev. R. II. Ray.
AT the close of the Masonic ceremonies
the howitzers out on the Lee monu-
ment grounds fred salute of 900 guns.
Hon. j. Taylor Ellison, president of
the Davis monument fund, came to the
front and called on BishopJ. @. Cranky.
Col. 81. d. Lee made the address of
the day.
The benediction closed the exercises.
Though the dedication of the corner
stone closed the reunion, there were
some minor exercises at night, includ-
ng an address by Gen. Rosser.
This has been the greatest reunion
ever held and was marked by good and
conservative utterances.
Receiver Appointed for the REQ order.