The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-05-12

Charleston, S. c., May 1O.-Almost
the first official act of the ninth an
nual reunion Of the United Confederate
Veterans which began its session today
was an attempt by General stephen D.
Lee, OF Mississippi, to secure an en-
dorsement Of President McKinleys
suggestion made in his recent Atlanta
speech that the care of the graves Of
confederate dead should De undertaken
by the federal government.
Action on the resolution, however,
was frustrated by motion to refer 1t
to the committee on resolutions, IN
spite of a rather general sentiment to
put it through with enthusiasm. AS
this committee is yet to be appointed,
ii is not probable that the matter will
be taken up tomorrow, and the ulti-
mate fate of the resolution is problem
atical. The motion to refer originat-
ed with DR.. J. William Jones, Of Vir-
ginia, and met with some opposition,
and it is believed the matter will even
tually cause some discussion, as there
is a decided faction in favor Of Cen
eral Lees sentiments, While the oppo-
SitiOn is also said to be very strong.
The reference to committee proDaDly
will result in amending the resolution
so that while thanking the president
and acknowledging his action as
graceful one, it will declare that the
care of it's dead is a duty of the south.
IDEAL WEATHER PREVAILING.
Ideal weather conditions favor the
veterans of the gray and their thou
sands of friends who are croWding
this hospitable little southern city. A
brilliant sun is tempered by a cool
breeze from the ocean, and fair skies
hold no presage of rain to mar the in
teresting programme of amusements.
A conservative estimate places the
number of visitors at between $4,000
and 10000.
THE ATTENDANCE.
The attendance from the south at
large is not so general as in former
years, but the South Carolinians and
citizens from adjacent states make up
the deficiency, while southern enthusi-
asm is at top flood. Everywhere the
blare of bands and the strains of the
Bonnie Blue Flag mingle with
Dixie" and other airs dear to the
southland, while cheering crowds greet
The best of order prevails,
and over all is the air of genial So
ciability which marks the annual gath
erings of the association.
BUSINESS SESSION.
The business sessions Of the reunion
was called to order this morning by
General G. 1. Walker, commanding the
South Carolina division, in the hand
some auditorium erected for the Occa-
sion by the city of Charleston. Its enor-
NOUS floor space was crowded and
thousands were unable to gain admit
tance to the building. When General
John B. Gordon, the commander-in-
chief, appeared upon the stage he was
greeted with thunder5 of applause. The
band struck up Dixie and the vet
Grams cheered and cheered again.
HISTORIC RELICS.
In calling the assemblage to order
General Walker spoke of Charleston's
invitation to the veterans to meet at
the birthplace of secession, and said
that the gavel he was using was that
which in 1860 had been used to call to
order the secession convention The
chairs used by the officers today and
the table of the presiding officer were
the same as used on that memorable
occasion.
DR.. J. William Jones, the chaplain
general, then invoked the divine bless
ing upon the convention. 1t asked it
of the God of our common country"
and prayed that all confederates may
be true to the principles "of constitu-
tional freedom for which our fathers
fought and that these principles
might be handed down to our children
and childrens' children" He invoked
the divine blessings upon the president
of the United States and all in author
ity.
Speaker Gary, of the house of repre-
sentatives of South Carolina, present.
ed the resolutions adopted by the gen.
eral assembly in regard to the holding
of the reunion in this state.
r
tenant Governor McSweeney, whose
mention of Wheeler was applauded
and of Hampton cheered.
AN OVATION TO GORDON.
Mayor Smith, of Charleston. extend
ed to the visitors a welcome. General
Gordon was then escorted to the front
of the stage and his appearance was
the signal for a storm of applause.
Cheers and shrill yells for the COM
mander- r-in-chiefs mingled with the
crash of the band, and hats, handker-
chiefs and flags were waved frantically.
When order was finally secured the old
confederate chieftan was presented by
General Walker and delivered an elo-
quent address. He spoke with all the
Vlgor, eloquence and grace which have
won for him a national reputation as
an orator.
GENERAL GORDON'S ADDRESS.
General Gordon said:
Governor, Gentlemen of the Commit
tee, My Fellow Countrymen of South
Carolina:
The flood of emotions which stirs the
senSibilities of these veterans today is
their loving answer to your gracious
greeting. These emotions will speak to
you in language far more impressive
and eloquent than any words that !
could utter. The ringing shouts from