Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-06-17
SHOULD THROW OPEN OUR HOMES.
This VIII lie Necessary To Make All
Our Guests Comfortable.
Rlchm0nd. N. Jun

llchmpIuf a. june 3D. Ao''
To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
The time is near at hand when 1t will
be our privilege to entertain in Rich
mond by far the largest and most noted
gathering ever assembled in any city
nm the South. and IL seems TO be very
necessary that We should make arrange
ments TO entertain our friends in such
way that they may go to their homes car
rying with them pleasant recoilections
that will live I'm the hearts Of Themselves
and their children for the next two OF
three generations. The meeting of the
United Confederate Veterans is an inn
portant and interesting occasion. no mat
ser where il is held. The laying Of the
cornerstone OF the Davis monument. AMI
the fact that Richmond was the capital
of the late Conlederacy. makes this rec
union one Of special interest and signiA-
canoe.
From the 30th Of June until the 81 OF
lth Of July, there will be assembled with
in the gates Of our city tens Of Thousands
Of the noblest and best sons Of the
South: many will be accompanied 10y
their wives and daughters. Although
pretty well supplied with good hotels, the
hotels and b0arding-houses Of this city
cannot possible accommodate one tenth
Of the number who vii visit Richmond.
and 1 DO not believe they can accommo-
date more THAI one twentieth Of them.
Under the circumstances, it seems inn
portant that we should make prepare
tions for-hand to throw open our
homes and entertain our visitors 10 the
very best of our ability. IL would be bet
ter a thousand times never 20 have held
The reunion IN Richmond than 70 have
thousands 90 hungry or walk the streets
an night in q vain attempt TO secure
lodging.
Let everybody who can possibly enter
tain one or more send his or her name
and address 20 the committee OF which
Mr.. I.oehr is chairman. The price should
be fixed lust as low As IS consistent with
comfortable accommodations. Many OF
the friends visiting us cannot afford 90
nav high prices. and they should not 90
home feeling that we invited them 10
Richmond and then took advantage OF
their necessities 10 charge unreasonable
prices for board and lodging. No doub.
many homes win be filled with old friends
and relatives. but we must bring out The
bed lounges. mattresses. and have every
nook and corner cleared 50 as 10 make
room also for the stranger.
Some people object 10 taking strang r.
into their homes On any terms at a time
like 1his. because some drink and MAKE
tbemgeives disagreeable. just here | wish
10 say that / spent several days at the
great Confederate reunion at Birmingham
in 1891. and there / saw one day more
than 5000 visitors, and ! do not remem-
Der during my visit seeing more than
two people under the influence OF j.
quor and not a single one incapable OF
taking care Of himself "a friend tells me
that the same was true Of the Houston
tToxD meeting. one OF the most en-
ccuraging signs Of the times is the grow
ing temperance sentiment In the South.
Tho man who makes a beast Of himself
is no longer respectable.
From an extensive correspondence
throughout the South. | am sat
lsned that the number visiting our
reunion Is going 20 be very much larger
than is generally supposed. Richmond Is
the Mecca of the Old soldiers. Many OF
them remember with grateful hearts the
kind attention shown them thirty years
ago when IN Virginia. They never tire Of
telling Of the open-handed hospitality OF
the Virginians and the noble, self-sacri-
fcing efforts Of our women. DO not let
us do anything that VIII shatter their
idols, or even cause tntm LOT one mo
ment TO remember with regret anything
in connection with their visit TO Rich
mond.
Many devoted sons. daughters, fathers.
brothers. and friends will come endeav-
orlng TO locate and pay a tribute OF
respect 10 the graves OF their loved ones.
whose bodies are resting In the soil Of
old Virginia. Let US afford every one an
opportunity 10 carry out the dearest de-
sres OF their hearts. and let them at
ieast have the satisfaction Of laying iow-
ors and shedding tears over the graves
OF their loved ones who bravely shouldered
their muskets and marched to Virginia 20
protect our homes and firesdes.
Many OF the old veterans. from wounds
and diseases. have dropped out OF the
ranks since the close Of the war. but
their sons and daughters will come. and
their hearts will be full OF the memories
OF Virginia. which they have heard from
their fathers around the hreside a hun
dred times OF more. / would to God that