The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1897-07-01

ZEN. JOBG b. GORDON.
Several Thousand veterans were pres.
ent at the Seuhion of the tabernacle
this morning. Every seal in the vas
auditorium was filled, and on the plat.
form were many prominent men,
among them Gen. John b. Gordon
Gen. stephen ID. Lee, Hon. John II.
| Reagan, Gen. Marcus J. Wright, Gen.
/ Morgan, Gen, Clement Evans, Gen, 10
seph Wheeler, Hon. A. S. Colyar, Hon.
J. D. c. Atkins and DR.. Thomas
Menees. The three last-namcd 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
0. r. Fitzgerald, and Gen. Gordon de-
livered the response. Judge Reagan,
of Texas, was then introduced and de.
livered the Grafton Of the day.
keagan's Grafton.
Judge Reagan said in part:
This great aSsemblage and this interesting
occasion call up the many memories Of great
events-tnrnest discussion which preceded the
year fsBl; the action Of the southern states In
passing the ordinances OF secession the organ
lzattoii OF the government OF the Confederate
States; the commencement OF h0stilitieS; the
enthusiasm on both sides; the assembling OF
mighty armies; the greatest war OF modern
times,
Why all this strife aud suffering and death
between a people OF the same country, the same
race and, in a general way. OF the same poltt-
zeal and religious opinions; An inheritance
from the governments Of Europe ana from our
ancestor, had raised u 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 nego-
tlations and compromise. And It's decision
was, therefore, submitted to the arbitramput of
war.
The facts of history vindicatc US against the
charge Of being either rebels or traitors, and
eho" that we were not the authors OF IA cause
less war, brought about by ambitious leaders.
but that our brave men fought and suffered and
died, and our holy men OF God prayed and our
noble women suffered patiently and patriOtlcal-
ly all the privatlonS and horrors Of Il 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 sevcra!
states to regulate their own domestic policies
and Of protecting the people against Spollation
and robbery by n dominant majority, some Of
whose members, because the holy Bible sane
toned slavery, declared that they wanted an
"anti-slayery Bible and a. anti-sIayery God,
and who, because the constitution Of the United
States recognized and protected slavery, de-
clared that 1t was Il league with hell and cove
nant with DEATH
Whatever may have bern said In the past in
the defense of the institution of Slavery, and
whatever may now be thought OF the means By
which 1t was abolished In this country, the
spirit Of the present age Is against II and II has
passed away, and | suppose no one wishes the
restoration OF that were It practicable. Ger
tainly, I would not restore It II / had the pow
er. | think 1t better for the black race that
they are free, and I am sure it is better for the
white race that there are no siayes,
The restoration OF peace, government, the
rule Of law and of good will between those who
were once enemies is as gratifying to me as It
can be to any other citizen. But the charge has
been constantly made since the war that The
eOnfederates were rebels and traitors, and there
fore lapless criminals.
Now that we are again citizens Of the United
States, living under the same government, our |
late adversaries ought not to desire TO degrade |
us In the eyes If posterity. md II they would be
wise and just they should not wish TO place our
people In history in the position OF being I'M
worthy Of the rights, liberty and character Of |
citizens Of our great and common country. And
while ! have accepted and accep, in good faith
the legitimate results Of the war, and while !
am and will be true to my allegiance o. any |
other citizen can be. | shall insist on my right
to tell the truths which show that In that great
struggle we were guided and controlled by a
sense Of duty and by a spirit Of patriotism
which caused US to stake our life, liberty and
property In q contest with a greatly superior
rather than ba5eIy surrender our rights
without d struggle.
From the desolatIon, absence Of ciril govern
ment and political rights and outlawry through
out the southern states less than thirty years
ago we now In oil these states have good civil
society re~organizcd, peace and in
dustry re-established, with many valuable en-
In successful operation. and with d
steady and wonderful increase in population,
wealth and the comforts Of civilized life. 1hi,
the greatest and proudest vindica-
Of the capacities Of our people for local
self-government, and Is a grander and nObier
achievement than was ever obtained BY war.
1t shows that our people are worthy the posses
sion OF the political power and religious liberty
which they now enjoy.
In this great centennial exposition Of Ten
nessee we have before US q magnificent EXPOSE
as the result Of southern enterprise and
prosperity to gladden. the hearts Of our people
md to crafty the pride Of the people OF this
great state. And to-day the people OF the south
are as earnest In their attachment TO DOR COM
mon government as those Of any other part Of
he union. and would make as great sacrifices, I
need be. In defense Of our government a.
be made by any other part OF the Amer
can people. Enjoying peace and liberty to-
lay, We can refer with pride TO the courage and
1erolsm Of our soldiers in the late war, and 70
he gaIlantry and skill Of our officers.
And when impartial history comes TO be writ
zen we do not doubt that 1t will be seen that
.ney were never excelled In the qualities Of
patient endurance and manly courage by any
,ther people.
The New South.
The address Of GOV. Taylor was q
most eloquent M He said, among
other things:
II trust in God tina. the struggles OF the fu-
Will be the struggles Of peace. and not Of