The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-07-02
THE OPENING DAY AT RICH
AIOND WAS AN AUSPICIOUS
OCCASION.
OVATION GIVEN GENERAL GORDON.
Gen. Wade Hampton Was Also an Hon
ored ersonage-Report of the
Committee on History-Ad-
dresses by Prominent Men.

crowded
AS Gen. Gordon showed his face on the
rostrum this morning mighty Confed-
crate yell went up and the battle-scarred
| veteran was given an ovation.
Governor O'Farrell and other dis
tingushed men went up and pressed his
| hands; the bands played Dixie" and the
people shouted.
Before the convention was called to
order Gen. Gordon was presented with Il
gavel made from tree from the field of
Chickamauga, and Rev. j. Williams
Jones offered Il fervent prayer to the
God of Lee and Jackson and Davis.
Gen. Gordon, without making a speech.
introduced Governor O'Farrell. who, on
behalf of Virginia. welcomed the vet
Grams.
Governor O'Farrell said:
VETERANS and Comrades-You were
enlisted in these bands who wore their
names in glory's skies and carved them
deep in the temple of fame. who made
the cause of the south so fmpersha BILE
and the renown of her armies so fade
less. 1t was neither conquest now power
for which you fought; it was in defense
of home and the country. The rights
for which the founders of this republic
struck were no more sacred to them than
the rights for which you struck were
dear to you. If you were rebels so were
the fathers of the constitutional liberties
of 100 years ago If you fought to sever
your connection with the Union whose
bonds were CALLING so did the men now
immortalized in song and story when
they snapped the cord of British al
legiance in 1776. If you had within you
a spirit that would not tamely submit to
wrong and dared to assert itself in the
front of grim-visaged fight. it came to
you by ancestral inheritance, or if for
eign born you imbibcd it from the air you
breathed"
He closed with an eulOgy of Lee and
called attention to the fact that the
monument to him would be erected with
out government aid.
While Governor O'Farrell was speak
ing. Wade Hampton came in and was
received with cheers lasting several
minutes.
Mayor Richard Teller then delivered
an address of welcome on behalf of the
city of Richmond.
session today.
Col Woods report showed contribu-
tons of S245S in addition to Mr.. Rousc's
conditional subscription.
Col Chareron of Louisiana. said he
was opposed to conditional subscriptions.
New Orleans. he said, had S15O,OOO
site to offer absolutely gratis.
Mr.. Rouse submitted a strong propo-
sition offering to contribute $4,000 if
the south would raise an equal amount to
erect great battle abbey in Washing
ton.
Resolutions were finally adopted pro-
viding that the committee asked to he
discharged and be succeeded by trustees
selected by each division of United Con-
federate veterans who shall be author
lied to obtain Il charter of incorporation
of the Confederate Memorial associa-
ton. This action will be reported to-
morrow TO the convention.
Gen. Gordon introduced Gen. Pcyton
Wise to turn over to the veterans me
building in which the convention is being
held.
Gen. Wise made an eloquent address
in performing this task.
Several times during the day there
were calls for speech from Gen. Wade
Hampton. When Gen. Wise concluded,
in response to repeated calls, Gen. Hamp-
ton stepped to the front. The band
struck up Dixie" and there was dcafcn-
ing applause.
Gen. Hampton said in his speech that
words could not express his gratitude for
the great honor which had been done
him. He had come to minglc with the
veterans. perhaps for the last time. and
do honor to the memory of that great
man. President Davis.
The general said he would be still
fighting now if the Confederate flag were
waving. Great applause.) He had no
apology to make for his course. When
his state called upon him he went into
the war as Il private and served his coun-
try as best he could. The speaker paid
a beautiful tribute to the private soldiers
and in conclusion said that the only cpl
was that he was Il Confederate soldier.
Gen. Gordon responded to the address
of welcome. The generals clear voice
penetrated every part of the hall.
After the announcement of the COM
mittee on credentials. Gen. Stephen ID.
Lee was introduced to present the report
of the committee on history. 1t was a
lengthy paper and dealt with the whole
subject of history.
The report recommended the establish
ment of the chair of American history in
the more thorough teaching of history in
the schools, public and private. through
out the SOUTH
The report divides histories into three
those written in the north
and are totally unfair to the south:
secondly. those written in the north and
deal fairly with the south: third. those
written in the south.
The report concluded with an eloquent
tribute to the Confederate soldier and the
southern woman.
The report of the committee was. on
motion of Gen. w. II. Jackson. received
and ordered spread upon the minutes,
and the recommendations contained
therein were adopted
The thanks of the convention were
voted the committee and the committee
was continued
The hour of 1910 tomorrow morning
was set apart for an address on histories
by Hon. J. l.. NJ. Curry.
After the appointment of certain COM
mittees the convention adjourned until 10
O'Clock tomorrow.
A reception was given in honor of
Mrs. Jefferson Davis and her daughter,
Mrs. lays. in the Confederate museum
tonight by the regents of that institution
The museum is the building formerly