The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1897-06-30

ent at the reunion Of the tabernacle
this morning Every seat in the vast
AUDITORIUM was filed, and on the plat
form were many prominent men,
among them Gen. John B. Gordon,
Gen. stephen d. Lee, Hon. John II.
Reagan Gen. Marcus j. Wright. Gen.
Morgan, Gen. Clement Evans, Gen. Jo-
seph Wheeler, Hon. A. S. Colyar, Hon.
J. d. c, Atkins and DR.. Thomas
Menees. The three last-named gentle
men were members of the confederate
congress,
After music, Chaplain j. William
Jones offered prayer, and addresses of
welcome were delivered by Gov. Robert
L. Taylor, Judge John C. Ferris, Bishop
o. P. Fitzgerald, and Gen. Gordon de
livered the response. Judge Reagan,
of Texas, was then introduced and dc
livered the Grafton of the day.
Reagan's Grafton.
Judge Reagan said in part:
This great assemblage and this interesting
| occasion call up the many memories of great
| eveutS-earuest discussion which preceded tine
! year 1851; the action of the southern states i'm
| passing the ordinances Of secession; the organ
| iZatlOn OF the government of the Confederate
| States the commencement of hOSLiuties; the
| enthusiasm on both sides; the assembling Of
mighty armies the greatest war Of modern
! times,
Why all this strife and suffering and death
between d people OF the same country, the same
race and, in general way, of the sans p0lit-
ical and religious OpniOust An inheritance
from the governments Of Europe ana from our
ancestors had raised question involving too
much of the social and industrial structure
and too much Of property values to admit of
adjustment IN the ordinary methods of uegO-
tiations and compromise And its decision
was, therefore, submitted to the arDitrameut of
war.
The facts Of history yiudicate us against the
charge of being either rebels or traitors and
show that we were not the authors of % cause
less war. brought about by ambitious leader,
but that our brave men fought and suffered and
died, and our holy men Of God prayed and our
noble women suffered patiently and patriotical-
ly all the privatiOns and horrors of great war
cruelty forced upon US for the purpose of up
holding the constitution and laws of the United
States as preserving the rights of the several
states to regulate their own domestic policies
and of protecting the people against spoiation
and robbery by dominant majority some of
whose members. because the holy Bible sane
toned slavery. declared that they wanted au
"anu-slavcry Bible and an anti-Slayery God.
and who because the constitution Of the United |
States recognized and protected slavery de-
clared that it was league with hcli and cove
naut with DEATH.
Whatever may have been said in the past in /
the defense of the institution of slavery. and /
whatever may now be thought Of the means by |
which it was abolished in this country, the |
spirit Of the present age Is against IL and it ha,
passed away, and l suppose no one wishes the |
restoration Of that were it practicable. Ger |
taIHly, 1 would not restore it If had the pow
err / think it better for the black race that .
they are free, and am sure it is better for the
white race that there are no slaves
The restoration Of peace, government the
rule Of law and Of good will between those who
were once enemies is as gratifying 10 me as it
can be to any other citizen. But the charge has
been constantly made since the war that the
were rebels and traitors, and there
fore lawless criminals
Now that we are again citizens Of the United
States, living under the same government, our
late adversaries ought not 10 desire to degrade
Us in the eyes Of po,terity and If they would be
wise and just they should not wish TO place our
people in history in the position Of being an
worthy OF the rights, liberty and character Of
citizens Of our great and common country And
while have accepted and accept in good faith
the legitimate results of the war and while /
am and will be true TO my allegiance as any
other citizen can be, shall insist on my right
10 tell the truths which show that in that great
struggle we were guided and controlled 10y q
sense Of duty and by a spirit of patriotism
which caused US to stake our life liberty and
property in contest with q greatly superior
1ower rather than basely surrender our rights
Without a struggle.
From the desoletiou. absence Of civil govern
nent and political rights and outlawry through
nut the southern states less than thirty years