Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-20
SEYERAL RINGING SPEECHES MADE.
Dr.. MCGUIRE, Col. CuSSOnS, and Others
CritiCiSe Books Now In Use.
GRAND COMMANDERS PLAIN WORDS.
lie Reviews harness History to
show Its Injustice to the South,
and Denounces Its stotements-
Southern Works by Southern Au-
thors-Thc Committee Meets.


Confederate Veterans. which meets here
to-day, was struck last night at the mass
meeting Of citizens and educators held
in Lee-Camp Hall 10 consider the history
question. Next March the Board of Edu-
cation will make contracts for the his
tories to be used in the public schools OF
the State for the next four years, and the
Efforts OF the veterans who are gathering
from all quarters of the State Will be
directed during the next few days to-
wards the elimination of the political
apologies and impeachments which now
hold place on the list Of books available
Tor use in the public schools and the sub
stitution therefor OF history which
shall give a clear. complete, and candid
account Of the leading facts and most
eventful periods of American history.
The Revolution. the Constitution, and
the civil war are the three central events
OF American history. They supply its
main connecting threads-the develop
ments. political and dramatic. TO which
The conscious efforts and unconscious
progress Of years leads up. The object
Of the meeting last night was to censure
the recklessness Of certain controversial
histories and military biographies, and
10 emphasize the guilt Of the historian
who suppresses facts which affect per-
Ional character and conduct. and whose
judgments are given In heedlessness, pas
tion, or hatred.
PREPARED FOR THEIR COMING.
The meeting was set for s O'Clock, but
long before that time the hall was fairly
well filed, yet the interchange Of greet
lngs among those who will figure ir the
reunion delayed the opening considerably.
Under the deft hands Of the Ladies
Auxiliary, the camp hall in which the
Grand Camp is TO meet to-day and to-
morrow has been transformed. Con-
federate and State flags and shields, with
red and white bunting, fairly cover the
walls, having been arranged Wis.l excel
lent effect. Surrounded by these en-
blems of the Confederacy, the audience
no less distinguished than enthusiastic,
listened to the stirring speeches and con-
vncing arguments, and appauded lthem
10 the echo. There was no dssentient
voice. and the harmony and influence or
the meeting leave no room for doubt that
It's action will be respected and its aim
attained.
Among those present were noticed
Major James f. Crocker. Hon. John W.
II. Porter, James +. Potter, Colonel Will
lam H. Stewart, Hon. II. G. Marshall, OF
Portsmouth; Professor Smithey, of Ran
1olph Macon College; Colonel Simmons,
Of Fincastle; Hon. w. B. Pettitt, of Flu
wanna; Captain s. W. Paulett and Major
A. r. Venable, of Farmvlle; r. $.
Ihomas. Of Smithreid; surgeOn-General
X. S. Powell. NJ. D., Commander William
Kane, OF Louisa Camp; Dr. II. S. Southall
- Amelia: Judge f. r. Farrar, Amelia
General Stith Boiling, Ex-Governor Will
liam T.. Cameron. and Colonel o. b. Nor
gan. Of Petersburg: A. Warheld. Jr.. and
o. A. Ramsey, of Alexandria; Rev. j. w.
Jones, OF CroZet: Rev. Ii. A. White, OF
Lexington; Colonel John w. Williams,
,f Winchester: George Booker. Of Hamp-
Ton: Colonel Il. T. w. Duke. Of Char
.ottesvine; Captain J. Talley. OF Rock
bridge: Hon. j. NJ. Stubbs, of Gloucester;
Rey. Beverly ID. Tucker, OF Norfolk;
Colonel r. NJ Henry and Major w. E.
Foster, of Norfolk Grand-Commander
,ussons. of Glen Allen; Inspector-General
Thomas c. Morton. of Staunton; Adju-
.aut-Gentfal lNOf4ldS Iiitits III iluhlti
Mcguire, Professor John II. Mcclure, r.
A. Dunlop. Professor Powell Rev. DR..
Nelson, General T. a. Brander Colonel
W. T. Smith. Colonel John NJ. Warren,
Judge James Keith Hon. b. Il. MunfOrd
snperintendent w +. Fox, Hon. William
N. Turpln. Colonel w. Gordon McCabe,
Rev L. II Mason. Robert S. Bosher,
E. V. Valentine. Captain NJ. w. Halle
wood. Judge George l.. Christian Hon. j..
Taylor Ellyson. Captain Frank w. Cum
bingham, DR.. r.. a. Brock Major T.. II.
H. Myers Major Robert Stiles, Professor
". ii. Bowles. Professor Il. ID. Bader,
Colonel W. II. Farinhold. Of Accomac
county: Colonel Theodore 5. Garnett, of
Norfolk. and Professor Charles w Kent,
OF the University Of Virginia.
DIR. INQUIRIES OPENING ADDRESS.
The meeting was called TO order by
Grand-Commander Cussons. Colonel j.
j. Williams proposed that DR.. Hunter
Mcclure should be elected temporary
chairman, and the motion was adopted
unanimously.
The proceedings were opened with
prayer by Rev. j. William Jones. after
which DR.. Mcclure said:
We are assembled here tonight, com
rades and my good friends. 10 do deSd
that should have been done long ago; 10
undo a deed-to right a wrong-that never
should have been wrought; TO execute
grave and serious purpose, 50 grave that
/ consider our success 10 be vital 10 the
present generation OF men and women IN
his State and to those who shall come
after
swift decadence will beset any State
that shall cease TO cherish the principles
that have hitherto constituted Its life;
shall forget or allow its children 10 forget
he martyrs who have died In their de-
lence; or shall ignore their traditions
hat history OF a glorious past which
alone makes a noble present or glorious
future Such a state is dead. and such
death Is without hope Of resurrection.
In behalf OF the state, u defence OF her
traditions. as a duty 10 her martyTed
1ead. and for the sake Of our children,
we are here tonight with set purpose.
We are here once more 10 declare our
sense OF the wrong that has been done
10 the old, and the grieyous outrage that
has been committed upon the young in
forcing the public schools Of Virginia 10
use the false northern histories OF the
ate war between the States Personal
and public appeals have been repeatedly
made In time gone by 10 persons In power,
protesting against this wrong, but with
your son and daughter and TO mine, II we
choose TO expose them 10 the infection,
that this war had its origin in the unholy
ambition OF certain southern men; that
President Davis was pardoned released
from the penalty OF a great crime by the
mercy. the magnanimity OF the Federal
Government; that General Lee failed TO
excite an insurrection In Maryland u use
exact words) 40 suggesting a parallel TO
John Browns failure In his attempt IN
Virginia. and teaching that such was the
character OF our movement IN this anu
Other Southern States.
Is UNWHoLEsoME TEACHING.
| shalt pot dal.x, vou with further illus