Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-05
The Approaching Reunion.
(Atlanta CONSTITUTION

Barely six weeks remain before the
gates of Atlanta will swing back on their
hinges to greet the old soldiers who will
be her guests of honor during the ap-
preaching Confederate Veterans reunion.
Whenever Atlanta undertakes to do any
thing she usually succeeds, and her am
bition in the present instance is to make
the gathering of old soldiers here in July
next the most successful affair of it's
kind which has ever been held in the
South.
She is making provision to entertain
the old soldiers in royal style. and If the
whole army Of survivors should chance
TO accept her cordial invitation she would
still have room TO spare. Since the late
war 1t has been Atlantas privilege to
entertain many notable gatherings within
her limits, and she understands the art
OF making her visitors enjoy themselves;
but never has she entered with greater
zest into the matter of arranging for ex-
pected guests than she is now displaying
in her preparations for the approaching
Confederate Veterans reunion.
So far as the effect Of the present war
crisis is concerned, she feels that It will
tend to increase the attendance Of the
old soldiers rather than to decrease it,
and that much greater interest will be
ably have been expected under ordinary
circumstances. With the martial spirit
Of the country stirred to its profoundest
depths, ii is only natural that the old
soldiers should feel more of the impul-
sive ardor which characterized them on
the field OF battle and more of the fra
ternal sense Of comradeship than they
have felt at any time since the late war
such being the case, II is wholly within
de 90 - a.
attendance Of old soldiers upon the APP
preaching reunion in July will be much
greater than in recent years, and that
deeper measures Of satisfaction viii be
derived from the mingling Of the old
soldiers around the camp-fres
While the spirit of animosity has never
constituted any marked feature of mast
reunions Of Confederate veterans. II is
safe TO say that the utmost feeling OF
goodwill will characterize the senti-
ments which the old soldiers will bring
to bear at the approaching reunion in
dwelling upon the memories Of the war.
Since the Federal veterans have acted
with such spontaneous unanimity In pro-
posing to surrender back into the keep
ing of the South the old Confederate reg
mental battle-fags which they captured
in the late conflict, there can no longer
remain unquenched the least spark OF
prejudice or bitterness between the sec
tons. But II left TO the old soldiers
who faced each other upon the field OF
battle, perfect and complete reconcilia-
ton might have come years ago.
In selecting Piedmont Park as the site
OF the approaching reunion the Commit
tee on Arrangements has acted with wise
discrimination. On the grounds included
in the boundaries of Piedmont Park there
are numerous buildings which are being
fitted up for headquarters, in addition 10
the main auditorium, in which the exer-
clses or the reunion proper are to be
held; and, moreover, the grounds are
easily accessible from all portions of the
city. Special rates have been secured
over all connecting lines, and visitors
will not be subjected TO the least un-
which might arise from ar
bitrary or excessive charges. Another
consideration which emphasizes the wis
dom of the Committee on Arrangements
In selecting Piedmont Park as the site
for the approaching reunion consists in
the fact that thirty-four years ago IL
marked the scene Of one Of the most
terrific contests in the bloody campaign
around Atlanta. We might linger upon
other phases OF the preparations which
are being made for the entertainment
Of the old soldiers in July, but suffice IL
10 say that Atlanta intends to leave no
stone unturned in the efforts which she
IS now putting forth TO make the ap-
preaching occasion in every respect wor-
Thy OF her noble guests.