The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-24
GORDON CHOSEN AGAIN
REELECTED COMMANDER-IN-CEI
OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS.
Vote Was Unanimous Despite the
1000 Delegates at the Reunion.

NASHVILLE, Tenn, June 23.-The annual
reunion of the United Confederate Veterans
has brought a great crowd of people to
the city. A business meeting was held at
the tabernacle in the morning at which
reports were presented and Gen. John b.
Gordon delivered an address reviewing his
administration. This evening there was a
Confederate concert in the tabernacle, aft
er which a ball and reception In honor of
the visiting young people was given at the
Capitol by the Confederate Reunion Club.
The great parade will take place tomorrow
morning and tomorrow night General Cor
don will deliver his lecture, THE Last
Days of the Confederacy,' at the taber-
nacle. The parade, in which it is estimated
nearly fifteen thousand veterans will take
part, viii be witnessed by the largest as
senblage ever seen in this city. Thousands
OF people will arrive tomorrow on regular
and special trains to view the procession.
When the business meeting in the taber-
nacle to-day was called to order by Gen.
John B. Gordon prayer was offered by Rev.
D. C. Kelley, of Columbia, Tenn. The
port of the committee on history was pre-
scented and referred. General Gordon then
delivered his address, prefacing it with an
announcement of his intention to resign as
general commanding. There were cries Of
No" mo" from all over the hall. When
quiet had been restored General Gordon
proceeded with his address. He said in part:
Mr.. President and Comrades-Permit me
with few words to return the commission
with which you have honored me for eight
years and by unanimous vote. Within the
next few hours you will elect my successor.
When this duty Is performed by you 1
shall gladly take my place by those untitled
heroes who so grandly bore the battle brunt
in the stern work of war" After referring
to the rapid growth of the organization dur
ing the eight years since he was elected
from ten camps to more than a thousand
he said: 1T is an army still, Mr.. President,
but army for the bloody work of war
no longer. It's banners no longer bear the
flaming insignia of battle. It's weapons no
longer flash defiance to the Zoe nor deal
death to opposing ranks. Its weapons are
now the pen without malice, the tongue
without aSpersion and history without mis-
representation. Its aims are peaceful, phil
anthroptc and broadly patriotic. railing art
er the most desperate defensive struggle in
Confederacy, these high-souled sons of the
South offer this record of devotion of the
noblest pledge of their fealty to freedom
and of their readiness to defend the repub-
lie of the fathers, In conclusion, my COM
rades, let me hope that the wise conserVa-
tism, the spirit of magnanimity, which is
always the brightest gem in the crown of
courage, will mark your career in the future
as they have in the past.
address a motion that General Jos. Wheel
er be requested to nominate General Cor
don, for reelection, was maze ana carried.
Gen. Stephen d. Lee, who had been called
to the chair, declared nominations closed
and General Gordon was unanimously re-
elected. The thousands of delegates present
cheered and waved their hats and handker-
chiefs, and the scene was a most impressive
one The committee on credentials reported
1900 delegates present and 1000 camps rep
resented.
At the business meeting this afternoon
it was voted to meet in Atlanta next year.
resolution commendatory of the reign Of
Queen Victoria was voted down. and the
was defeated The business matters are ali
disposed of, and tomorrow the old Con-
federates and their friends will devote
themselves to social recreations. There are
Il, 900 of the old soldiers in attendance.