The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-07-02
Cornerstone to be Laid by Con-
federate Veterans To-Day.
EVENT OF THE REUNION
Ten Thousand Old Soldiers Now
in Richmond.
OVER $50 CAMPS REPRESENTED
Resolution Unanimously Passed Thank
ing the People of Chicago for
Erecting a Confederate
Monument.

Monument.
Richmond, Va, July 1.-When Gen.
Gordon called the convention of Uni
ted Confederate Veterans to order this
morning an immense crowd was pre-
sent. Prayer was offered by Bishop
Newton, and then the committee on
credentials reported $50 camps rep
resented by delegates. Mr.. G.. d. Lee,
offered a resolution which was adopt
ed, endorsing the movement started
by Lee Camp of Richmond looking to
general organization of Sons of Veter-
ans and pledging the United Confed-
edate Veterans to the movement.
Gen. II. Kidd Douglas offered the
following:
"The United Confederate Veterans
s-assembled in annual reunion at Rich
fmond, ever mindful of their dead COM
rades, wherever they may be, and
holding in grateful memory all those
who do them honor, desire to express
to the city of Chicago, their most
grateful acknowledgements of the
broadminded liberality of it's people
in the erection and conservation of the
lofty monument over the 5000 of our
dead who rest within its protection, and
the boundless hospitality with which
it received all Conferedate soldiers
who attended that dedication. Our
thanks are given without stint to ev-
cry army veteran, soldier and citizen
of that great city who participated
in that memorable scene. May the
monument there lifted up stand
through the ages as a perpetual re-
minder that it's dedication was the
final triumphal scene of a great war,
commemorative alike of the heroic
dead it honors and of reunited peace
and friendship between North and
South"
The resolution was seconded by Gen.
Lee ana was unanimously adopted.
DIR. J. L. NJ. Curry, made an eloquent
address before the convention. While
he was speaking, Jas. Herbert Camp.
of Baltimore, came in with it's band
playing Maryland" The Maryland
ers were received with great cheers.
A motion to restore the department
of the North met with opposition and
the Chair ruled the motion out of or
der.
The Daughters of the Confederacy,
Virginia division, voted unanimously
to join the United Daughters as
grand division only.
1t is estimated that there are ten
thousand veterans in the city to-day
attending the reunion. There is lit
tie doing to-day outside of the con-
vention proper. Tomorrow will be
the great day. The corner stone of
the Jefferson Davis monument will
be laid and there will be a great parade
of veterans and civic societies.
John Burton, VIM. A. Moore, alias
Johnny O'Brien, and Ed. 0'Connor,
alias Shaley, said to be noted crooks,
were arrested to-day.
During the proceedings in the cop-
vention Brigadier General Berger, of
Alabama, veteran go years old, was
recognized by tie Chair and invited
to seat on the platform. He was so
feeble that he had to be escorted to
tne front and hundreds of the old veter-
ans crowdd into the aisle and grasped
his hand while the whole assembly
cheered him. "a
The sensation of the reunion oc-
Cured shortly after midday. On mo-
ton of Gen. Peyton Wise, of Virginia,
committee was appointed to wait on
Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Hays to invite
them to visit the convention, The
chairman appointed Gen. Wise and ex-
Mayor Ellyson, who escorted the la
dies to seats on the platform. The
chairman, General John b. Gordon,
of Georgia, then introduced the ladies.
In presenting Mrs. Davis, he made a
brief speech in which he said he wanted
to bespeak the appreciation of the as
sembled Confederate veterans and that
he would place a reverential kiss upon
her brow. Then General Gordon kissed
Mrs. Davis amidst deafening cheers
and applause. 1t seems that the whole
10000 veterans arose and with one
voice applauded the act. Hats were
thrown, canes and umbrellas were
thumped upon the floor, men yelled,
stamped their feet and clapped their
hands and it was several minutes be-
fore silence was restored.
Immediately after the excitement
attendant upon the incident had died
out, Gen. Gordon again came to the
front and referred to the presence in
the convention of Corporal James
Tanner, a veteran of the Union army
and called upon Corporal Tanner to
come forward. AS this brave Union
soldier, who has both legs buried in
Virginia soil appeared, the whole au-
dience arose and greeted him with
cheers and hurrahs. The Corporal
seemed to be deeply moved by the
demonstration in his honor and he
made a great speech. His patriotic
were received with almost
uninterrupted applause.
Gen. Cabell reported the action of
is committee, who selected the plans
for the Davis monument and his re-
port was adopted.
Continued on fourth page.)