The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-06-23
coNFEoeRATEs' REUNION


Nashville. June s2.-Mauy special
trains arrived to-day with rx-cunfed.
crate soldiers and friends. who came
for the purpose of attending the reunion
celebration OF the noted confederate
veterans. The rN-cOnfpdcratps spent
the morning IN attending the reunion
al the Tabernacle ana meeting old cont
I Tades, Prominent among those seated
on the platform we're Gen stephen u
Lee of Mississippi Judge John Reagan
of Texas, the only surviving member
Of jefferson Davis cabinet. col A. :.
'olyer and Thomas Mcncs of Nash
Vile and Hon. j. D. Adkins. surviving
members of the confederate congress,
Gen. simon u. BuCkncr Of Kentucky,
Gen. l.. L. Sykes of Mississippi. Gen
cral Norman OF New Orleans, Gen. w.
H. Bates. DR.. William Jones. chaplain
OF the United Confederate veterans,
General Clements NJ Georgia and Gen.
Joseph Wheeler of Alabama. Gen. John
H. Gordon was given an enthusiastic
reception. An address uf welcome was
delivered by Bishop Fitzgerald, who
represented Mayor Mccarthy.
j. u, Bryan. chairman of the legisla-
I tive committee, welcomed the visitors
in Il short speech Judge Reagan then
delivered AN address, In which hr said
The facts uf history Vindicate us
against IN" charge NJ being either rebels
or traitors and show We were not the
authors uf "A rauseless war. brought
about by ambitious leaders, hut that
our brave men fought aud suffered and
died and our holy men Of God prayed
and our noble women suffered patiently
and periodically all the privatlons and
horrors of n great war, cruelty forced
upon us. for the purpose Of uphOlding
h.. Lea ~ l. nj a
preserving the rights of the states as
We'll as fer the upholding of their own
democratic politics as well as protect
! ing the people against the robbery uf
q dominant majority, some of whose
members, hecaug" the Bible sanctioned
slavery said they wanted an anti
slavery Bible aud anti-slaVery God aud
. who, because the constitution allowed
I and protected slavery. declared 1t was
a league with hell and covenant with
I death
Whatever may have been said IN the
past In defense of the institution of
/ slavery ana whatever may now hc
thought of tn. means by which Il was
abolished In this country. the spirit ot
the present age il against II. aud It
has passed away. and suppose no one
| wishes it's restoration. II that were
/ practicable, Certainly ! would not re-
store II IL | had the power. ! think II
better for the black race that they are
] rec, and | am sure IL is better for the
white rae" that there are no slaves.
Now that We are again citizens of
the United States, living under thu
same government. our late adversaries
ought not to desire to degrade us In the
1 eyes Of posterity and " they would In
! wise and Just they should not wish a.
place our people I'm history In the posi-
,iun Of being unworthy of the rights
liberty and character Of the citizens oi
our great and common country, and
while ! have accepted and 40 accept
In good faith the legitimate results oi
the war. and while ! am and VIII he as
true To my allegiance as any other citl-
zen can be- | shall insist ON my right "a
tell the truths, which show that In that
great struggle we Were guided and
called by sense Of duty and by a
spirit Of patriotism which caused us Il
stake life. liberty and property In u
contest with greatly superior puwei
rather than bascly surrender without
n struggle. To-day the people Of the
South are as earnest In their attach
men, Ia our common government as
those of any other part of the union
and would make as great sacrifices. II
need he In defense of our government
US could be made by any other part o'
the American people. Enjoying peace
and liberty to-day, we can refer viii
pride tn the courage and heroism al
our part In the late war and To th'
gallantry and skill NJ our officers. An,
when impartial history comes tn b,
written We do not doubt II will be sect
they were never eXcelled In pati-nC'
and manly endurance 10y any othel
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