Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1898-07-28
CONFEDERATE REUNION
About Fifty Thousand People i'm the Gate
City With the Veterans.
Gen. Gordons Great Speeche Beauty



invaded Atlanta to-day. For two
days the Confederate Veterans and
their friends havo been coming in,
and q conservative estimate of the
people now in Atlanta to attend the
eighth annu.u reunion Of the Vote
rams is 100000. Tho railroads are
advised that several special trains
arc Oh the way, and as tho traffic in
ward bound is still very heavy, to-
morrow's arrivals arc expected to
swell the total number of visitors to
the $4,000 mark.
Confcdoracy's ranks arc well rep
resented, yet much disappointment
is expressed at the unavoidable ab-
sence of Mrs. Jefferson Davis. Mrs.
Davis health is not good, and fear
ing that the journey from Richmond
would overtax her, the first lady of
tho Confederacy has given up the
trip. Miss Winnie Davis, however,
is expected tomorrow morning. She
will bc met at the depot by recep-
tion committee and escorted to the
residence of Mrs. William Nj. Davis,
on Washington street. The names
of Gen. Joseph Wheeler, the gallant
cavalry leader, and Gen. Fitzhugh
Leo are on every lip, tho regret for
their absence, however, being set
aside by the fact that they are nobly
representing the South in the strug-
gle with Spain.
The interest of the day ccntorcd
in tho first meeting of the Veterans
at the Auditorium in Piedmont Park.
There, surrounded by ten thousand
OF his devoted followers, Gen. John
B. Gordon, commander-in-c chief of
the Veterans, delivered an address,
which thrilled his auditors and called
forth response in terms which admit
of no doubt AZ to the Generals place
in the hearts of his followers. The
speeches of the day aboundcd with
praises of the heroic deeds and
achievements of the sons Of the South
in the present war, and the names OF
IIobson, Baglcy, Schlcy and Blue
were chcercd to the echo. Con.
Charles E. Hooker, of Mississippi,
the orator Of the day, was given a
cordial reception and his address was
well received.
Ten thousand Veterans and their
friends filled to Overlooking the big
Auditorium at Piedmont Park this
morning, and chccrcd the living
heroes of the Confcdcracy and the
names of the dead. Glowing tributes
were showercd on the records and
achievements of the sons of the
South in the war with Spain. A
bcamng July sun sent his hottest
rays through the windows of the
amphithcatre, but the heat did not
diminish tho enthusiasm of the
assembled thousands. When Gen.
John B. Gordon entered the hall the
applause and cheering were dcafen-
ing. The General, when he reached
the platform, walked from one side
to the other, bowling his acknowl-
edgments again and again. There
was no doubling his place in the
hearts of the Veterans.
1t was one hour and q half after
the time set for opening the convcn-
tion when Gen. Carey Evans, the
commander of the Georgia dcloga-
ton, called the asscmblago to order.
On the stage, grouped about Gen.
Gordon, were Gen. Stephen ID. Lee,
Gen. Cabcll, of Texas, Gen. "Tig"
Anderson, Gen. G. E. Hooker, the
orator of the day ; Gen. J. |. Andcr-
son and Gen. Wilson, of Florida,
and Adjt. Gen. Norman, of New
Orleans. In the first row on the
stage were Governor Atkinson and
cx-Governors Bullock and Mcdaniel,
Mayor Collier, Col. VIM. A. IIcmp-
hill and Gen. Asbury Coward.
The Rev. DR.. j. William Jones,
the Chaplain General of tho Confcd
crates, invoked divine blessing upon
tho asscmblagc, and welcoming adj
dresses were then delivered by Mayor
Collier, Representative Thomas B.
Fielder, Col. W. A. lirmphill and
Governor Atkinson.
The Governors welcome was
heartily received. After extending
tho freedom of the State, CITY and
tho Executive Mansion, the Cover
nor said:
"a great many people have mis-,
conceived our relations to the
national government. When wo sur
rendered to tho opposing forces we
granted two things, the negro as n
Tree man and tho adjustment OF the
doctrine of secession. But tho State