The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-21
WELCOME TO GORDON
WHEN HE ENTERED THE AP-
PLAUSE WAS DEAFENING.
TRIBUTE TO CALAMITY OF WHEELER
Gen. Hooker, Of Miss, Orator Of The Day. The
Great Rebels Washington and Lee
Glowing Tribute to Southern
Valor in Present War.

Atlanta, Ga, July 2O.-Ien tnousaHo
veterans and their friends filled to over
flowing the big auditorium at PIEDMONT
Park this morning and cheered the Nv
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 ia the
war with Spain. A beaming July sun
sent his hottest rays through the WIN
dows of the amphitheatre. but the neat
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 ana
again. There was no doubling his place
i'm the hearts of the veterans.
It was one hour and 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
nhen D. Lee. General Cabell of Texas.
Gen. sTige" Anderson, Gen. G. r. Hook
er. the orator Of the day; Gen. ]. l. An
derson and General Wilson of Florida.
and Adjt. Gen. Norman, of New Or
leans. In the first row on the stage were
Governor Atkinson and exGovernors
Bullock and Mcdaniel. Mayor Collier.
Col VIM A. Hemphill and Gen. Asbury
Coward.
Rev. DR.. J. Killiam Jones. the Chap
lain General of the Confederates. in
voked divine blessing upon the assem-
blnge and welcoming addresses were then
delivered by Mayor Collier, Representa-
tive Thomas b. Fielder. Col. w. A..
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 have miscon-
ceived our relations to the National Gov
eminent. When we surrendered to the
greater forces, we granted two things
the negro as free man and the adjust
ment of the doctrine of secession. but
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
forum.
The Grafton of the day wasA delivered
by General Chas. +. 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 their
hands. He said it was equalization,
the Confederates being allowed to depart
in peace, unmolested SO long as they
observed their parole.
There is not one Confederate but has
kept the terms of his capitulation,' said
the speaker. Y
Referring to the surrender at Appa-
matox. General Hooker stated that some
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 no
great victory to be proud Of for we
have been four years capturing these
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 was
charged with treason. He spoke feeling
ly Of the way in which the President of
the Confederacy. with supreme abnega-
ton, took on himself the sins of all his
people. Only one reason, said the gen
eral, could be assigned for the failure to
try President Davis. His prosecutors
knew he was not guilty. They knew his
allegiance was first due to his State.
and as a loyal citizen of Mississippi
when she seeded it was his duty to
espOuSe her cause.
In commenting on the fact that the
South's representatives were taking 4
prominent part in the war with Spain,
he took occasion to attest to the bravery
and gallantry of General Wheeler.
'They may beat him for Congress il
1dDillid- Sdli tlit Sp'dhti. NY ~
never do it," shouted Il score Of voices
from the audience)
'They may beat his for Congress in
Alabama" continued the speaker, 'but
we will erect magnificent monument to
him."
General Hooker referred in the course
of his remarks to the fact that at the
graves of the Confederates in the nation
al cemetery at Arlington were head
stones bearing the inscription "Rebel.'
He told Of visit to to the cemetery with
some ladies, who said it was an outrage
that such thing should be-
at is eminently proper" said the
General then. that these poor boys whC
wore the ragged Confederate coat OF
gray should be buried here on the grount