The herald., 1896-01-08
Glorious Meeting of Union and
Confederate Soldiers
FRATERNITY, FELLOWSHIP
Col. Melvin Nudge and Capt. J. c. Nc
Cabe Relate "reminiscences
The Confederate Veterans Elect Officers Fol
Their Association and Install Them.
The Afternoon Session

| the past two or three days an invitation to
Union veterans to assemble at Odd Eel
lows hall on Main street, to meet with the
ex-Confederates, at 2 O'Clock on Tuesday
afternoon, This invitation was extended
by the Confederate Veteran association
of this city, prior to the nomination and
election of officers of this association last
evening. The invitation was responded to
by goodly attendance of the veterans of
the Union of all political shades. A gener-
GUS hand shake was INDUCED in, and a
brotherly feeling exhibited on all sides pre-
vious to calling the meeting to order. There
were seen many wearing the badge of the
G. "A. K. mngling with the comrades who
| wore the gray IN years gone by. 1t was
! significant and one of the most important
meetings that has been held in Los Angeles
| Tor long time. Notwithstanding this, the
! only representative of the press of this
| city present, though there are five daily pa
pers, was The HERALD.
| 1t was really a grand departure, for
| The reason that among those assembled
and Judging from the sentiments expressed
| there was not one word of discord, but on
the contrary, every sentence uttered was
| one OF lofty patriotism and love for the
flag, on the part of both the blue and gray.
There was also, above and beyond all, a
concession on the part of the comrades
who wore the blue, that the Confederates
fought for what they conceived to be right,
and they were willing to admit it. Then,
| again, there was exhibited in all the
| speeches a feeling of fraternity and bro
theriy love that was touching to perceive.
Col. ii. IL. Thorpe of the Confederates
called the meeting to order, Z. E. J. White
acted as secretary.
| Colonel White asked what had called
them together. They had felt so much
nf a A IL
and knowing the benefits of that organiza-
| ton, they had thought best to organize
Confederate Veteran association This was
the day fixed for the permanent orgauiza-
ton, and so, said Col. White, i've called
this meeting. 1t was thought desirable TO
have the q. A. h. as our guests. We need
their friendship and advice"
The first speaker called upon By Colonel
thorpe for an expression of sentiment on
the part of the boys in blue was Comrade
G. M. Fairbanks. His speech was patriotic
from beginning to close. 1.-THE past has
Fairbanks. I'VE are now for the country.
He is not true American who does not
stand by the idea of one flag. Immense
cheering.) No one who wore the blue or
the gray but can clasp hands over the
graves OF fallen heroes on both sides and
scatter flowers" The speech was thor
oughly appreciated by all who listened,
and the speaker was frequently interrupted
by cheers.
The chairman then spoke of Chicka-
mauga, and after short talk compliment
airy to Comrade Fairbanks, introduced Col
onel Melvin Nudge of Compton, who was
one of the participators in that battle.
The colonel said he felt highly honored
by the introductory remarks of the chair
man. He fel proud of being in that bat
tie and coming out alive. 1.-The war is
over" said the colonel, "the issue is over.
q tn ha ffIttrr
body is loyal and true to the government
today. L respect the Confederate, though
| have passed through thirteen hard-fought
battles. The Confederates fought for what
they considered to be right"
The speaker pointed to Vicksburg, Get
tysburg and other battletields of the war as
witnesses of the bravery on both sides.
I'VE believe" said he. 'in the country; be-
lieve in the flag We are American citi-
zens, and will defend our rights against the
whole world. We will stand by little Ven
ezuela." Immense cheering.
The speaker touched upon the battle of
Chickamauga, giving interesting incidents
preceding that great fight. They all felt
as if something terrible was hanging over
| them, and then noted events on the open
ing OF the battle. He spoke of the NOV
ing lines on both sides and the bravery of
| the alternating lines, back and forth.
II did not know what others were do
/ ing" said the colonel. "but | knew what
my regiment was doing. Others knew
more about Chickamauga who were not
| there"
| The speaker closed by patriotic allu-
| sion to a common country and the neces-
Sly of standing together. Colonel Mudge7s
remarks were interspersed with frequent
| cheers.
Colonel Thorpe said the last link in the
way of binding the north and the south
had been broken. The present congress
| has wiped it out. Now Confedera can
enlist in the army of the United STATES
and send his son to West Point and An
| napolis.
A. c. Shafer. who has lately visited the
| battlefield of Chickamauga, was the next
| speaker. He was present at the great cell
ebration. He expressed his thanks for
the invitation of the president to address
the blue and the gray. He hoped that
any hing he might say would not mar the
harmony of the occasion. He pointed to
the conduct of Gen. Grant toward Gen. Lee
at he surrender a. AppomattoX. Brave
mon do not seek to enkinde the animosi-
ties of the late war. Those VINO do are
generally "invisibe in war and ever ln-
vincible in peace.' Pickett's brave charge
at Gettysburg and the charge at Mission
ary ridge outranked Napoleon in his cele-
brated charge at Waterloo. The bravest
of the north and south fought for what
they conceived was right. Men say let us
forget the past. Charles Sumner said let
us blot out every Union victory; let us re-
!