The age-herald., 1898-03-05
UNION VETERANS
 IN ENCAMPMENT Blue and Gray Shake Hands in BrOth0rly
 Affection. DECATUR AS THE HOSTESS Gives the Veterans a Right Royal Well
 come. THE TENTH ANNUAL MEETING Birmingham Man Makes an Address Enjoyable Program Rendered at the Opera House. Annual Election of Officers.
 Bethara Honored.
Special to The Age-Herald.

Decatur, March 1.-The tenth annual en- campment of the Alabama G. A. R.. con- vened at the opera house this morning at 10 o'clock. The morning hours were con- stunned with enrolment of delegates and routine business.
 A large number of distinguished men were present, among them Gen. J. S. P. Goblin, commander-in-chief; Gen. w. H. Black, Montgomery; J. F. Mack, Ohio; Maj. Wm. Snyder, Birmingham.
 The Twin cities were gaily decorated with flags and bunting in honor of the guests of the day.
 The call showed the following posts in good standing:.
 1. Geo. A. Chester Birmingham.
 2. Jno. F. Reynolds, Cullman.
 3. Huntsville.
 4. M. Harrison, Larkinsville.
 5. w. B. Woods, Montgomery
 6. Daniel Tyler, Anniston.
 '. U. s. Grant, Decatur.
 8. R. w. Thompson, Steele'S Depot.
 9. Goldwood, Mobile
 10. Geo. H. Thomas, Fort Payne.
 II. Phil Sheridan, Townley.
 12. E. r. Jennings, Mountain Home.
 13. Garfield, Athens.
 Taken for Carriage Ride
 After the election of officers adjournment was taken at l p. m. and at 5 o'clock the delegates were taken in charge by the citi- zens' reception committee and escorted in carriages to the various points of interest.
 At 8 D. m. the annual camp fire was held at the opera house, which was filled with visitors and citizens, who had assembled to do honor to the old soldiers. Many bat tle-scared confederates were present and exchanged brotherly greetings with the old boys who wore the blue. The programme as carried out was a most enjoyable one, and lasted more than two hours After the camp fire a reception was held in the opera house, which was a distinct social affair apart from the regular proceedings. Many ladies were present and helped to make the occasion more enjoyable. The following was tue programme: r t1sffuneni: MY Country Iris of Thee'-BJ Decatur Glee club. Address of Wetcome"-Col. John C Eyster.
 Response, Gen. w. H. Black-Montgom cry.
 Address, Chief-Gen. J. P
 Song: ''old Glory'-Miss Annie Laura Vert, assisted by Glee club.
 Address: Hon. S. P. Rather-Deeatur.
 Song: 'Tenting on the Old Caml Ground"
 Recitation: ''The Sleeping SentineT'- Mrs Florence Forbes.
 Song: Juvenile Male Quartette.
 Address, by J. F. Mack, of Ohio. SelPct1On-Ne DeCdluT lIi)elIdi pdid.
 Song: "The Flag They Died to Save'- Glee club.
 Address: Major William snyder-Bir mingham.
 Song-Mondelssoh Male Quartette. Closing Hymn: God Be With You Til We Meet Again"-By audience. Address of Welcome
 Touching the civil strife in his address of welcome Col. John c. Eyster, the attor ney for the Louisville and Nashville rail road said:
 "All honor to the man who had the cour age to bare his brest to the bullets or ms enpmy-whether he wore the blue ol whether he wore the gray, and fight fol a principle which he believed to be right 'He tests at scars who never felt wound" We never see man, either offl cer or private who fought on either sid' during the war, but that he commands ou respect and admiration. "Aa the work loves a hero" ~ 'sIt was natural that such conflict a! the war between the states, lasting 1ol four years, and where so many valuable lives were sacrificed, should engender bit terness of feeling between the sections carrying it on. fancy that I can reeal the time in my early youth, that when ont removed from the north to the south ht was subjected to more or less ostracism the degree depending to a great extent upon political activity and affiliations Wt can't blame those who fought under tho stars and bars for feeling a little bit sort and resentful over the result. They would not have been the true, pure American: they have since shown themselves to bt if they had not. Their cities were destroyed