Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-07-21
CONFEDERATE VETERANS.
Three Cheers for Hobson and Wheeler =
Grafton by Gen Hooker.

Atlanta, Ga, July 20.-The mornIn
trains brought thousands Of people inf
Atlanta to attend the opening exercise
OF the reunion Of Confederate Voterane
The interest Of the day centered in H.
convention at Piermont Park Anon,
those on the stand We're General Charlie
f. Hooker Of Mississippi, Gov. Atkingo,
OF Georgia Gen. Dickinson, commands
| OF the "a Division. and Gen. Stephen III
! Lee. looked upon by some as the Ca Mi
date for ommandor-in-chicf Beft,rs ~
gathering was called to order. 1fhr1.
cheers were given for the gallant son OF
Alabama, Lieut.. iiobson." followed a
moment later by three more for Gen.
Joseph Il. ncelcr.
Gen. John r. Gordon. the comoandnr-
in-chief. was given tremendous ovation.
The audience could not be stillcd for five
minutes. Gen. Stillman. the commander
OF the Georgia tivison, called the conyen-
ton to order at 11.3o. and prayer was
offered by Rev. j. William Jones of Vir
gina the chief chaplain general of the
United States Confederate Veterans
Welcoming addresses were delivered nv
Mayor Collier, Governor Atkinson and
others. The Governor In part said IA
great many people have misconceived our
relations 10 tine national government
When we surrendered to the opp0sInp
forces. we granted two things-the negro
as frce man and the adjustment Of the
doctrine of secession. Bur the state never
did surrender the strict construction of
the constitution of the United states
Whenever this great question which al
vides Northern and Southern statesmen il
submitted to the supreme court IL has
always decided IN favor of the Southern
position
The GRAFTON of the day was delivered bv
Gen. Charles Il. Hooker of MississiDpi
Gen Hooker said that when the surren-
der was made. the Confederate soldiers
separated with arms IN their hands. He
said it was a capitulation, the Confed-
crates being allowed 10 depart in peace.
unmolested 50 long as they observed their
parole
There is not one Confederate but has
kept the terms OF the capitulatlon" said
me speaker.
Referring to the surrender at Appo-
mattox. Gen. Hooker stated that some Of
the Federal officers desired to fire a salute !
IN honor OF the victory. Everything was !
In readiness for the salute when Cen. |
Grant learning Of it. said: stop that |
hiring We nave no victory to be prou.
o. for We have been four years captur- /
ing these 500 men who have laid down |
their arms"
Gen. Hooker was one Of the counsel an
pointed by the state Of Mississippi 10 de-
lend Jefferson Davis when he was charged
with treason. He spoke feelinglv Of the
way in which the President Of the Con
'cderacy. with supreme abnegation. took
upon himself the sins OF ali his pe6pIe. |
only one reason. said the general. could
ne assigned for the failure to Try Priest
lent Davis. His prosecutors knew he was
lot guilty. They knew his allegiance was
inst due 70 his state. and as a loyaI cit.-
zen Of Mississippi. when she seccued IL
vas his duty 10 espouse her cause.
IN commenting upon the fact that the
south's representatives. were taking
Prominent part in tine war with Spain,
ne speaker attosted To the bravery and
;allantry Of Gen. Wheeler
They may beat him for Congress in
Aafama, said the speaker They'll
vcer 10 it," shouted score OF voices.
They n. y beat him for Congress in
alabama c.~ntinueu the speaker but
Z" VIII erect magnificent monuments 70.
i'm" -"
Gen. Hooker referred to TIE fact that m
! the graves Of the Confederates in the L.
ltional cemetery at Arlington were head M
tones bearing tie Inscription Rebel" IN,
i" told Of 4 visit 10 the cemetery with 80
,mr ladies, who said that ii was an out nj
re that such thing should be. tt
cit WAS emircntly proper. said the Pr
neral to them. that these poor boys
no wore the ragged Confederate coat Of
'ay should De burie4 here on the ground cot
hich belonged 70 the second greatest w,
bel this country mas ever produced
ebert T.. Lee. George Washington being -I''
e first Yes. they were rebels. rebelled i u
sainst what they believed was wrong il
a asserted what they thought was m,
CHIT aa.'