Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-06-30

iaurel-wIeathed gates for or importing OF
the survivors of the armies anl the navy
OF the Ccnirderacy.
Although since hel first great Conse1e-
rate denoastration-the unyeiline Of the
Jackson statue-year by year the ranks
OF those who lived through the bitter
final scene Of the great drama have been
raoidIy thinning; although al each Of her
succeeding demonstrations in honor OF the
Lost Cause the roll-call + IS been shorter,
yet a great host. whose most cherished
recollection IS that they eryed faithfully
that cause. will cross her threshold to-
day. And 70 each and all she extends
from her heart Of hearts a cordial vel
come.
COME FROM ALL Sc TONS.
Her ex-Conf derate guests viii come
from every Southern state and not few
from Northern States. where they have
made homes since the war. Many VIII
be here who have not visited Richmond
since The stars and Bars We're furled
forever as a nations emblem, after
leaving a trail Of imperishable glory over
land and seas. And with this represen-
tative host Of southern valor, forutude.
and devotion 20 principle. With this pro-
cession OF pilgrims to the shrine Of
sacred memory will come new genera
ton Of their own blood-Sons and Daugh-
tiers Of the Confederacy.
To these latter, also, Richmond extends
her welcome. on all OF them she would
beslow leaf Of the laurel that clings
about Ter gates as the rightfui heritage
o. children whose fathers planted and
caused TO H. irish the parent stem.
HAVE COME by THOUSANDS.
Thou-ands Of veterans have already
arrived to attend the reunion, which be-
gins to-day: thousands more viii come In
By to-day's trains, and the crowd Will
reach its maximum on Thursday. when
the cornerstone Of tho monument to
President jefferson Davis viii be laid in
Monroe Park This will be the GROWING
feature Of the reunion. and the celebra-
ton bids fair to eclipse all others in the
history OF the old capital OF the Con-
fedcracy.
For months the cry with the survivors
OF the mobiles. army that ever went TO
battle has be n, ION to Richmond" Now
they are here. once again the troops
OF the Confederacy will have the long
coveted opportunity Of marching through
the streets Of the city 50 dear 70 their
hearts. that cits. which they made the
capital Of their nation. and which FOR
four years they fought to defend. once
more they will listen TO the martial music
Of southern airs, bat the notes they hear
will not be summoning them to battle;
they Will be the joyous notes OF peace
and fraternity. They come together
to-day as the Survivors Of the sreat army
Of Lee, TO recount incidents and deeds
of the past. to cultlvl te the spirit of fra
ternity. 20 do what they can to preserve
the history they have made ana 10 see
20 il that an honest record or he events
OF 1S6i-lS65 goes down to Iosterty.
WAS 4 CONQUEST or FORCE.
Tha smoke Of the battles of those days
bas al cleared away; th.rty-one years
have elapsed since that closing scene
at ATponatto1 which lelt the South
q desolate, devastated, and conquered
land. But the conquest was sim
ply one Of force. The grand principles FOR
which such men IS StOaeWan Jackson
and Albert Sidney John ON tough. md
bid and died could not De wiped away
by all the troops OF IL. earth in four
or four hundred years. They stand out
Hike the m'ghty rocks OF Gibraltar, i'm
perishable. immortal.
II Is to live again. in no spirit Of hos
tility toward any nation through some
OF the stirring events OF that period that
the thousands OF OLD Confederate soldiers
have come and are sim coming % Rich
nond Their tattered ana torn battle
flags. thsir ragged and worn Jackets. their
srmless sleeves. their manned bodies.
their legiess trousers tell 10 the world
the story OF t.eir valor and herOism.
1t was truly said OF Robert T. Lee that
he was the. best soldier ever turned out
OF West Point Academy. In the great
body Of his followers who win iii the
big Auditorium to-day viii be seen thou
sands ~ p HON General Leland he was
mighty good authority on such matters
paid equally as high a tribute when he
salL they had remained steadfast to the
last. Those soldiers are stin standing
Ia, 20 their guns. although more than thirty
h.years have passed since the war ended.
PREPARED FOR OUR GUESTS.
That they are here upon so important
and patriotic & mission, It behooyes as
II delights Richmond TO take them in as
her own. and TO provide for them gene
rously while they remain within her Dor
ders. Men and women OF the South al
ways find themselves welcome in the
hearts and homes OF the people Of the
CAPITAL Of the Confederate. From the
humblest little carpenter or shoe-shop UP
20 the most prosperous financial institn-
ton here will be decorations evidencing
OF gladness that the United Confederate
Veterans are In the city. over almos,
every threshold there may be seen signs
OF rejoicing. In some instances the deco
ration may consist Of a little Confederate
nax. and IL others 1t may embrace the