Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-05-12
ATESI NEWS OF The WORLD By
promptly begged for the honor of filing
their places In the front Of battle.
a SUPREME TEST INVOLVED.

The position in which the American
people find themselves to-day was not
sought by them. but is the logical result
OF conditions thrust upon the country
by u course of events beyond our con-
troll If it be said they were forcscen
anu predicted. IL must also be admitted
that no power in our grasp could have
stayed the tide. and now we stand be-
fore the gaze of civilization confronted
by grave Responsibilities. Tho supreme
test OF American institutions is in
VOWED. and the American system of
government is on trial
JUST1t'ILS EXPANSION.
at is said by some that while Eng
land, Holland. France and o;her ma
ions may extend Il protecting hand to
peoples and lands separated from the
nome country. benciitlng bo:h the pro-
tector and the protected. that we shall
be utterly unable to accomplish such n
purpose. TO admit this proposition is to
admit that our system of government
Is lacking in the essential qualifications
winch every sovereign power should
possess. In one year we have risen to
the hrst place in the family of nations:
To make the smallest retrcgrade step
would be ut the expense OF the prestige
we nave won. TO return To the starting
POINT OF year ago would be to lose
what IL would take Il century To regain.
In answer To those who say that the
policy of our forefathcrs forbade the
extension %! territory, | would point to
zen erSon ana the Louisiana purchase.
Monroe and Florida, Polk and Texas.
ana the vast territory acquired from
Mexico. and later To Andrew Johnson
ana The acquisition Of Alaska.
WE NEED CUBA.
If there be any who contend that
we should not permit the island of
Cupa 70 become part Of the United
states. and lis people if they desire it,
TO enjoy all the rights of American Cit
izenship. have only to point to the
official declaration of our great states
men commencing with Thomas Jeffer-
son and running through almost the
entire period of the first half of this
century. During all that period our
honored statesmen and Presidents from
jefferson to buchanan laid down i'm
their messages ana State documents
the imperative necessity of making the
Pearl OF the Antilles Il part of the
United States.
TRIBUTE TO SOUTHERN WOMEN.
In concluding his address General
Wheeler paid an eloquent tribute to
the women of the South and the part
they bore In the war and the dark
years that followed saying:
Although some OF those blessed wo-
men are still with us. many more have
long since gone to their reward. but
they have rocked the cradles, the
principles, minds and characters which
are TO control the future of their be-
loved land. The thought which | wish
to impress upon the minds OF the gem
Grafton to whom we must soon intrust
sacred charge, fo- the Confederate
soldiers race is nearly run, and the in
junction which would leave with your
sons and daughters-for the daughters
have the nohler part. and / know they
Will faithcSlly perform it's this:
See to IL that the women OF the Con-
federacy have, in their posterity.
monument more lasting than any that
could be built of stone"
y PICTURESQUE INCIDENT.
lie closed amid much applause, and
the orchestra played america"
Then occurred one OF the most pic
turosquc incidents of the session. Gen
cral Gordon arose and advanced To the
front of the stage. followed by General
WADE Hampton. escorted by Colonel
Holm IS and Major Barker. the former
bearing Il beautiful silk flag. one side
Of which was the battle flag of the
C0nfcderacy and the reverse the state
nag OF South Carolina. In Il few we'll
chosen words Colonel Holmes presented
the banner to General Hampton as the
gift Of the Daughters of the Confed-
erary OF Charleston, the United Confed-
crate Veterans.
ti-Ao1G
Turning, General Hampton presented
the ilag 10 General Gordon. who ac-
cepted ii with Il graceful little address.
Here. aG on all occasions when he APP
pears General Hampton was greeted
with tremendous applause. the old vet
cram of the famous Legion that bore
his name being the idol not only OF his
State. but the whole South. In pre-.
;en,ing the flag General Hampton al
II
OF Northern Virginia.. saying he would
serve in the ranks rs private He
gave as n reason that his declining years
and physical weakness rendered him
| unable 10 give 10 the office the atten-
ton ana energy 1t demands. Many OF
the veterans We're visibly affected at
the Generals words. and for an in
ftant absolute silence prevailed. Then
as ii by common implsc. they rose and
chcercd Justify. Bowng his thanks
General Hampton stepped back, ana
soon afterward left the rOstrum.
WINNIE DAVIS MEMORIAL EEER-
CISES.
General Gordon then announced that
the business of the convention would be
suspended for the Winnie Davis memo
rial exercises BY this time nearly all of
the sponsors had arrived and with the
presence of hundreds Of ladies in the
boxes and on the floor the great audi
forum presented gay scene. For the
Tune being the enthusiasm that had
market the session gave way 10 an i'm
pressivc silence "a the old veterans lis
tened To eloquent tributes 10 the memo
~ of the Daughter OF the Confcdcracy
AN IMPRESSIVE SCENE.
In opening the exercises General Cor
don said:
My comrades. we approach a sol
cmnity which will awaken in every
neart the sweetest. ,enderest rccollcc-