The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-07-26

tnue as commander-in-chief Of the
veterans, a position he has so we'll fill
ed for ten years, amid the cheers Of
the veterans, the shouts Of his adj
mirers and a scene rendered wildly
picturesque by the waving of handker-
chiefs, hats and umbrellas by the TO-
900 people who Crowded the confederate
auditorium at Piedmont park, the gen.
eraI bowling right and left, modestly
acknowledging the honor thrust upon
him. A further endorsement was given
the eminent Georgian by the election
at the same time of the men who for
years have been near him in the direc-
ton of the affairs of the Confederate
Veterans Association. The names of
the officers chosen were:
General Commanding-General John
3. Gordon.
Commander Department of Tennes-
see-General Stephen D. Lee, of Mis-
sissippi.
Commander Trans-Mississippi De-
partment-General w. l.. Cabell, of
Texas.
Commander Army of Virginia-Gen-
eral Wade Hompton, Of South Caro-
lima.
The tumult which greeted the nam
ing of these poular idols had scarcely
subsidized before General Stephen D.
Lee, the second in command, introduce
ed the following resolutions:
Whereas, The United States of
America are at present engaged in a
war with Spain in the interest of hu-
man liberty, and
Whereas, Our comrades and our
EnnC IN 70 a ~ horo ~ fLa+ I0r;1,,. ~
my and navy, the achievements of
which are now exciting the wonders of
mankind; therefore be it
Resolved, That we, the survivors of
the United Confederate Veterans,
pledge our loyalty and the hearty CO.
operation of the organization in this
crisis of affairs to stand ready at all
times with men and money, irrespec-
tive of political affiliations, to support
the president of the United States,
cOmmander-in-chief of our army and
navy, until an honorable peace has
been conquered from the enemy"
When the clerk has finished reading
the resolution, General Gordon said he
heartily favored it. He declared than
it was in hearty accord with the sentA
ment of confederate veterans every-
where and he sorely regretted that he
was not himself the author of the res
olution. Several speeches were made
endorsing the measure and with a
chorus of cheers it vas adopted.
The report of the Battle Abbey COM
mittee, recommending Richmond as
the site of the proposed Battle Abbey
preCipitated some discussion on &C
count of the interest which various To-
calitieS throughout this section have
taken in the matter, but the excite
ment ended in the adoption of the
committees report.
The entertainment at the auditorium
tonight in honor of the sponsors and
maids of honor of the veterans was
decidedly the most spectacular and
brilliant feature of the reunion up to
the present time.
The matter of greatest Importance
which will come before the veterans
tomorrow will be the selection of the
place of meeting of the ninth annual
reunion. This has been made the
special order of business for II o'clock.
There are three cities sDoken of for
the next reunion, and each of them
has been promised the support of
several divisions. The cities are:
Charleston, Louisville and Baltimore.
Louisville has lost ground steadily
during the day. The Charleston con-
tingent argue that SIS, 900 was put up
by the Louisville people for the en-
tertainment of the Grand Army of the
Republic. yet, according to a telegram
from Mayor Weaver, of Louisville, to-
day, but SIS, 900 has been promised for
the confederates.
Owing to the increasing age and
rapidly thinning ranks of the veterans
the next encampment will probably be
held in October, 1899. The summer
heat is too trying to the veterans and
as the desire to keep up the yearly
gatherings is widespread, the encamp-
ments in future will be held at a time
which will give the most comfort and
ease to the old warriors.
The most prominent arrivals of the
day were Mrs. Stonewall Jackson and
Miss Winnie Davis. They were met
at the depot by reception committees
an escorted to the home of those who
will entertain them during the re-
union.
General John B. Gordon was given
another proof of the undying love for
him in the hearts of all surviving con-
federates in unanimous reelection to-
day to position of Commander-in-chief
of the United Confederate Veterans.
All of the officers were reelected amid
a scene of great enthusiasm.
The convention was called to order
at Piedmont park at 1890 o'clock by
General Gordon. In taking the chair
he said:
I'VE are all confederate soldiers; we
are confederate men and women, but
we are also Americans and we are
proud Of our country.
God has blessed us as He has bless
ed no other nation. 1t becomes US
who have been spared by His provi-
dence to sing a song of praise to Him
in acknowledgements of His many mer-
cies.
II want the men whose shouts have
been heard on many battlefields to
join in a hymn of praise to the King
of Kings and Lord of Lords, whom we
all acknowledge and worship"
The historical committee, of which
General Stephen D.. Lee is chairman
presented it's report. The report
voiced the patriotic American spirit
which has pervaded the whole country
by saying:
"In the just war in which our coun-
try is engaged our comrades now Iiv-