Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-07-02

ment to the brigade is to be unveiled
on the field of Antietam. Gen. Gordon
said this paper would be spread upon
the records and cnpy sent to the
camps for action. DR.. J. Williams
Jones, the chaplain, said he was opposed
to this, for the Philadelphia brigade
was the body that kicked up the row
in Richmond about marching behind a
Confederate flag several years ago.
"Dr. Jones belongs to church that
believes in conversion; our friends, u
said General Gordon, shave longe since
repented their action"
"Yes, but they should bring forth frui,
meet for repentance" responded the doctor.
The invitation took the course indicated bS
General Gordon.
A paper from Louisiana camp in reference
to a monument to Southern women was by a
rising vote referred to the monument COM
mittee.
A paper sent from Fredercrburg in refer.
ence to the establishment of a national park
to include the battle fields around that city
was adopted.
The sixth annual reunion of the United
Confederate Veterans was declared adjourned
sine die.
RICHMOND, July 2.-The convention
of United Confederate Veterans met
this morning to wind up their work.
After the adjournment the parade was
organized and the procession moved to
Monroe Park, where the corner stone
of the Davis monument was laid with
imposing ceremonies.
The parade was formed along Broad
street and the line of march was down
Broad to Eleventh. The parade divid-
ed, the military, mounted veteran cav
airy, and guests in carriages continuing
down Broad to Thirteenth, whence
they proceeded to Main, and up Main
to Eighth, thence to Grace. The vet
Grams turned south at Eleventh and
marched to Capitol, thence to Ninth, to
Grace, up Grace to Eighth, where the
mounted forces there joined them. The
whole body proceeded to Fifth, thence
to Franklin, up Franklin to Monroe
Park.
The general parade of military, Ma
sonic, civic, and veteran organizations,
was led by a band of 1000 uniformed
children of Richmond, sons and daugh-
tiers of Confederate soldiers, with 25,-
900 men in line, on foot and on horse
back.
Lee Camp and the Alexandria Light
Infantry had prominent positions in the
parade.
A grand stand to seat two or three
hundred people had been erected in the
park, and from this the exercises took
place. Bishop John G. Cranberry offer
ed prayer, after which the cornerstone
was laid by the Grand Lodge of Vir-
ginia Masons, attended by the Knights
in full uniform. At the conclusion OF
the cornerstone laying the Howitzers
fred salute of thirteen guns. Hon.
J. Taylor Ellyson, president of the
Davis Monument association, then in
PRODUCED General Stephen D. Lee, who
delivered the grafton.
From graceful exordium explaining the
purpose which had drawn this vast audience
together Gen. Lee asserted that it was fitting
that Jefferson Davis's remains should rest in
Virginia, which he characterized as the great.
est of all States, the battle-scarred producer o.
warriors and statesmen. Many presidents,
statesmen and soldiers lie in Virginia soil
from Washington 10 the present time-none
greater than Davis, but more fortunate. Gen.
Lee expressed an abiding belief that when
the msts of passion and prejudice have passed
away the calm light of justice gives the right
niche to each figure in history. The defend
ants of the men who to day look on Jefferson
Davis with unkind expressions will see him
as we do, the stainless gentleman, the gallant
soldier, the devoted patriot, the pure and
gifted statesman. Gen. Leo declined to discuss
the causes leading to the war. The war had
settled that secession is impracticahle and the
amendments to the Constitution have adjusted
all other differences. The Southern people
have fully accepted the results; they accept
the present and Loyalty commit themselves to
the future. Gen Lee concluded q glowing
culogium of Jefferson Daviss pure, private
life, his exquisite courtesy and gallantry as
soldier, with tho declaration that his domi
nant characteristic was his fidelity to prin.
ciple Asa president, the speaker thought,
Mr. Davis may have made mistakes. He was
constitutional ruler, not revolutionary
chief, but when tho night OF defeat was
darkening and the dismantled ship of the
Confederacy was sinking beneath the waters,
he stood at tho helm to the last.
The laying of the cornerstone by the
Masons was most impressive feature
of the occasion. The ceremony was
conducted by Most Worsbipful John
Patterson Fitzgerald, grand master.