The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-07-26
WELCOME TO GORDON
WHEN HE ENTERED The Al
PIAJSF WAS DEAFENlNG.
Gen. Hooker, of Miss Orator of the Day--ihe
Great Rebels Washington and Lee
Glowing Tribute TO Southern
Vajor in Present War.
Valor in Present War.

Atlanta. Ga. July 2O.-len 1housdhu
veterans and their friends tiled TO over
flowing the big auditorium AT fle'lllloii'
Park this morning and cheered the hV
ing heroes of Confederacy and the names
of the dead. Glowing tributes were
showered on the records and achieve
ments of the sons of the South III the
war with Spain. \ beamin@ July sun
sent his hottest rays through the WIZ
dovs of the amphitheatre. but the heat
did not diminish the enthusiasm OF the
assembled thousands. When Gen. John
B. Gordon entered the hall the applause
and cheering was deafening. The Gen
eral when he reached the platform.
walked from one side TO the other. bow
ing his acknowledgements again and
again. There was no doubling his place
in the hearts of the veterans.
1t was one hour and Il half after the
time set for opening the convention when
Gen. Cary Evans. the commander of the
Georgia delegation. called the assem-
blage to order. On the stage grouped
about General Gordon were Gen. Ste
phen y. Lee. General Cabell Of Texas.
Gen. "Tige" Anderson. Gen. c. +. Hook
er. the orator Of the day: Gen. j. /. An
derson and General Wilson of Florida.
and Adjt. Gen. Norman. Of New Or
leans. In the first row on the stage We're
Governor Atkinson and eX-Governors
Bullock and Mcdaniel. Mayor Collier.
Col. VIM. \. Hemphill and Gen. Asbury
Coward.
Rev. DR.. ]. Killiam Jones. the Chap
lain General of the ConfederateS. in
voked divine blessing upon the assem-
blage and welcoming addresses We're then
delivered by Mayor Collier, Representa-
tive Thomas T.. Fielder. Col. w. \.
Hemphill and Governor Atkinson.
The Governor was heartily received.
After extending the freedom of the
State. the city and the executive man
sion. the Governor said:
"A great many people nave miscon-
ceived our relations to the National Gov
eminent. When we surrendered to the
greater forces. we granted two things
the negro as Il free man and the adjust
ment of the doctrine of secession. bnt
the State never did surrender the strict
construction of the United States Con
stitution. Whenever this great question
which divides Northern and Southern
statesmen is submitted to the Supreme
Court it has always decided in favor of
the Southern position
General Gordon was next on the list
of speakers. AS soon as the Governor
had concluded the impatient veterans,
unable longer to restrain themselves. be
gan to shout, "Gordon. Gordon.' From
all parts of the building the name was
taken up and the greeting was assuming
yociferous proportions when the general
rose and raised his hand. The audience
was stilled instantly. General Evans
then introduced General Gordon. The
general. though the effects of his recent
illness were plainly visible, was surpris.
ingly strong in voice. and his remarks
were heard in every part of the audi
torium.
The Grafton of the day was delivered
by General Chas. r.. Hooker, Of Missis-
sippi. General Hooker was introduced by
General Gordon. He said that when the
surrender was made the Confederate
soldiers separated with arms in theil
hands. He said it was Il capitulation
the Confederates being allowed to deparr
in peace, unmoleSted so long as they
observed their parole.
There is not one Confederate but ha>
kept the terms of his capitulatIon.' sal,
the speaker.
Referring to the surrender at Appl
matox, General Hooker stated that som
of the Federal officers desired to fire
salute in honor Of the victory. Every
thing was in readiness for the salute
when General Grant. learning Of it
said: Stop that firing. We have Il,
Yeat victory to be proud of. for W
have been four years capturing thes
men who have laid down their arms.'"
General Hooker was one of the cOun
sci appointed by the State of Mississippi
to defend Jefferson Davis. when he wa
charged with treason. He spoke feeline
ly of the way in which the President O
the Confederacy. with supreme abnega
ton. took on himself the sins of all hi
people. Only one reason. said the gel
eral, could he assigned for the failure t
try President Davis. His prosecutor
knew he was not guilty. They knew hi
allegiance was first due to his State
and as a loyal citizen of Mississippi
when she seeded it was his duty t
espouSe her cause.
In commenting on the fact that tn
South's representatives were taking
prominent part in the war with Spair
he took occasion to attest to the Drawer
and gallantry of General Wheeler.
They may beat him for Congress
Alabama said the speaker. c"They'
never do it," shouted Il score of voice
from the audience.l
'"They may beat his for Congress i
Alabama" continued the speaker. 81,
we will erect a magnificent monument
him."
General Hooker referred in the cours
of his remarks to the fact that at IL
graves of the COnfederates i'm the natiol
al cemetery at Arlington We're hea,
stones bearing the inscription "Rebel
He told of a visit to to the cemetery vii
some ladies. who said it was an outra.
that such IA thing should be.
1T is e%minently proper said Il
General then. that these poor boys WI
wore the ragged Confederate coat
snsa