Birmingham state herald., 1897-06-23
VETERANS AT NASHVILLE The Centenr'4 City is Packed
 1sh Them AND TH' . ARE WELCOMED In Name 2 fitting the Old Warriors-Soms of thf tables Present-WlI Gordon
 :se Allowed to Resign?

Nashville, Tenn. June 22.-Many special trains arrived today with ex-con- federate soldiers and friends who came for the purpose of attending the annual reunion of confederate veterans The regular trains were run in sections in or der to accommodate the very heavy de- mand for transportation. Rain fell dur ing the morning, but the w=ather cleared somewhat towards noon. The ex-confed- crate soldiers spent the morning in at tending the reunion at the Tabernacls and in meeting old comrades. Promi- nent among those on the platform were Gen. Stephen D. Lse, of Mississippi; Judge J. H. Reagan, of Texas the only surviving member of the Jefferson Davis cabinet; Col. A. s. Colyar and pr. Thomas Menes, of Nashville, and Hon. J. D. c. Atkins, surviving member of the con federate congtess; Hon. Marcus D. Wright. of Washing ton; Gen. simon E. Buckner, of Kentucky; Col. Henry Myers, Col. Beck of Memphis; Col. Sykes, of Mississippi Col. Howard, of Georgia; Gen. Morgan, of New Orleans; Col Bax- ter Smith, of Nashville Gen. W. B. Bates Col John H. Savage, Of Tennes- see: pr. w. R. Jones, chaplain of the United Conf derate Veterans; Gen. clem- ent Evans. of Georgia, and Gen. Joseph Wheeler, of Alabama.
 
 Robert E. Lee. also occupied a promin mt place on the platform, and a son of Gen. Hood was present. Both of these young men were shown marked attention by ths veterans.
 Gen. John B. Gordon arrived during the morning and was given an enthusiastic reception. The assemblage was called to order by Gen. Gordon and prayer was offered by Dr. Jones' the chaplain.
 Gov. Taylor delivered am address of txrplf hal nf ha cfa ta 1dusa Ferris spoke for the county, and Bishop Fitzgerald, who represented Mayor Me Carthy, spoke for the city. Capt. J. B. O Brlen chairman of the executive com mittee, made some announcements and in behalf of the committee welcomed the visitors.
 Gen. Gordon spoke briefly.
 Gen. Reagan them delivered an abe ad- dress.
 The city is full to overfiowing and the rush has mt ceased.
 The hotels and private houses are packed and the streets are filled with m d. dle aged men wearing the associations badge. In addition the friends and fam lilies of the veterans have turned out in force a~d the sponsors and maids of h T have added to the attraction
 Bands are parading the streets play ing tunes familiar to all who underwent the trials of 1861 to 1865. Well-known people are surroundei anl1 speeches de- rhanded by the festive street occupants.
 The chief subject of discussion is the proposed retirement of Gen. John B. Ger don as commander-in-chief. He has S E. nified his intention of retiring from the comm'an nd of the association, and this has caused a great deal of wire pulling.
 Many names are suggested for his suc- cessor, among them being Gen. Simon Bolivar Buckner, Gen Joe Wheeler. Gen. eral Stewart, and others. Gen. Bckners position on the financial question and public candidacy for Vice-president as the nominee of the Indianapolis conven- tion is being used against him. But-ffom present indications this s labor lost. General Gordon will announce his desire to retire the association will say he shall not retire, and will re-elect him and force him to again accept the position.
 The Associated Press correspondent is satisfied from what he can learn that General Gordon will be elected commando er-in-chief and will accept.
 A brilliant reception was given by the Tennessee Daughters of the Confectionery to the delegates, the sponsors and maids of honor at the capitol tonight. It was largely attended and one of the chief events of the encampment
 Tomorrow the convention will meet in the morning. In the afternoon they will go with the ladies to the exposition and at night will attend a concert to be fol- lowed by a grand ball at the capitol
 The tide of visitors will not cease until Wednesday. Thousands of the veterans visited the exposition yesterday and viewed the fire works prepared especially for the occasion.