The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1897-07-01
THE C0NFEDERATES CAP PTURED NASHVILLE.
THE CITY CAPITUIIATED WITH
OUT RESISTANCE.


Goruon's Resignation was Not Ac-
ccptcd-Iiight Thousand Veterans
In Attcndancc-The Next Meeting
to be Held in Atlanta.
The annual convention Of the United
Confederate Veterans began in Nash
vile on the 22nd of juno, and lasted
thrcc days. Gen. John B. GoruOn was
IN his place as presiding officer, al
though he had been quite sick for Il
week or more. Among the prominent
men in attendance wore Gems. Stephen
ID. Leo, OF Mississippi, NJ G. Butler, of
South Carolina, JUseLn Wheclcr, of
Alabama, Clement ~. E,ans, OF Gcor-
gin. w. B. Bate. Of Tennessee, Marcus
j. Wright, Of Wasniugton, d. g., and
). Is. Buckncr, of kenLuGky.
The asscmblagc was called to order
by Gen. Gordon, and prayer was utrered
oy the chaplain, DR.. j. VIM. Jones, of
Virginia. Governor Taylor delivered
an address OF welcome on behalf of the
State Judge Ferris spoke for The coun-
ty, and Bishop Fitzgerald represented
the city. Gen. Gordon responded briefly
on behalf Of the old soldiers, and then
Introduced Hon. John III. Reagan, of
| leXas, as the annual orator. Judge
lteaSans address was full Of historic
Interest, and our readers will find the
main portions Of his speech ulsuw here.
The city of Nashville gave the vete
rams ~ most cordial reception. The deco
ratlona were profuse, and nearly every
puollc building was In It's most gorge
Gus apparel. Tho convention was held
in the Union Tabernaclc, an immense
ana superb structure, aud IL is not pos
slble 10 imagine u better hall for the
mcCting
| Since the addition recently made to
the upper galleries has been completed,
the seating capacity OF the Tabernacle
Is between 10000 and L., 900 people, and
with standing room utilized it is esti-
mated that $4,000 persons can get with
in the doors.
No pains nor expense had been spared
In decorating the int criOr of the build
ing, and more perfect picture could
hardly be imagined. The general cl-
feet was magnificent, and each hang
ing decoration might undergo the Sc
vcrGSt critical examination.
Many handsomest works OF art were
suspended on the front wall above tue
speakers platform, one Of which was
the celebrated painting Of General Lee
mounted on his wnitu charger, with
iull uniform, sword and announcements,
ready Tor battle. Another was u life
s'Z I'll painting Of StOncwall jackson,
similarly mounted and equipped.
These pictures hung IN relative posi-
items on either side Of Il vcly y large coat
OF arms of Tennessee. Directly above
the coat OF arms was Il cupiu-like iiyurc
on canvas bearing in It's hand a parch-
ment, on which WAS inscribed in gildcd
letters, "Wclcome.' Suspended from
the walls. the dome, the galleries and
every available point Of vantage about
the immense building were State lldgs
and coats Of arms arranged in regular
order, stars and stripes and bunting in
prOfueion. The whole was very artistic
IN design, auC the effect at first glance
most wonderful.
AS the critic examined in detail each
piece OF decoration, IL was evident that
every position had been studied anu
each hanging had been made with re-
gard to the appearance OF the whole.
Nashville is proud Of the Tabcrnacle
The business meeting Of the second
day was even more largely attended
than at the opening session.
| The report of the cOiiimi ttcc on his
tory was presented. This report fa.
vOr, q the plan now being pursued of
inviting many writer's into the field of
| history rather than selecting one or
| more to write q history.
The report Of the trustees Of the Con
| federate memorial association was sub
mittcd, showing that excellent progress
was being made, and that the trustees
would be able to report Il location for
the memorial building at the next re-
union, provided CampS and bivOuacs
contributed libcrallS.
Atlanta was decided upon as the
place Of meeting in 1898.
~ resolution commenting the reign
Of q leen Victoria WAS voted down, and
u resolution in praise Of the queens 5
jubilee was defeated.
Gen. Gordon delivered his annual al
dress, and prcfaced his remarks with 4,
determination to resign the position Of
commanding general, but this was re-
ccivcd with decided No" from every
part Of the hall. The address was in
the nature Of IL farewell, and reviewed
the work done undor his administra-
tion. The following extracts give the
chief points Of the address
Mr.. President in these closing hours
OF my long service as commanding gen-
oral, must ask the conventions indulg-
, ence for brief review of that official
relation and possibly for some suggcs-
tiOns as to the future.
, "On the 10th day of June, 1889, eight
years ago, while serving as Governor
Of my native State, received from
New Orleans the wholly unexpected
announcement Of my election as com
, mander- n-chef of the newly organized
United Confederate Veterans. This
now communion Of eX-soldicrs began
, its somewhat unpronising career with
the modest number of but.tcn organiza-
tions united for peaceful and noble
, ends. Today it presents the proud ar
ray Of more than a thousand camps an
swering the roll call and rcil"cting
morited honors upon the different com.
manders and especially upon our ablo
, ad iutant general lnthc next few hours
shall turn over to my successor this
| army Of more than thousand organ
, izatiOns rapidly advancing towards the
t second thousand.
} 81 said, Mr.. President, that would
J turn over an army. 1t is an army of
! ex-soldiers, of cx-Confedcra soldiers,