The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-05-17

entertained. We believe that some OF GOV
Gamblers friends at one time thought the dis
tinpuished Georgian had not been shown
deserved honors, but this was cleared away.
Gen, Wheeler was not in the parade, bul
nobody was to blame. 1t was nero acci'
dent. which no one regrets more than Gen
eral Walker Charleston never slighted any
body, and certainly no such men as Gen
Wheeler and Gov. Gambler were knowingly
neglected. The fact ia. we will on general
principles, stand sponsor for Charleston In
the matter Of good manners.
About twenty-five thousand visitors were
in the city last week, aud from an equal num-
Der OF voices are now coming the praises ol
the:good old city Of Charleston.
No serious accident or loss befell anybody,
though a few persons lost small amounts oi
money, which were abstracted from their
pockets by light-fingered gentry.
Not q single arrest was made for drunken.
ness, which speaks volumes for the multitude
and the good effects OF the dispensary law.
General Hampton was conspicuous figure,
and was greatly cheered by old soldiers.
General Gordon was there, too, and he
showed attention to some of the old women
in the auditorium.
Mr.. r. E. Lee, jr., who made sensation by
his presence, and his speeches in Abbeville
last Summer, was nominated for Commander,
but was defeated by Mr.. Colquit. Of Georgia.
Both were good men. and either one would
have served well.
The News and Courier made splendid is-
sue Of the paper on Wednesday, which re-
auired an immense amount Of work, and
much outlay OF money. Pictures Of dis
tlnguished soldiers, and Of the Sponsors and
their Maids OF Honor, were presented, and in
teresting sketches Of each were given.
The Charleston Post was very kind to the
Veterans and spoke cheering words to them
in loving tones.
The action Of the two newspapers were
somewhat on different lines and suggested the
idea that maybe the service had been divided.
The Post having been put on committee TO
look after the private soldiers. while the News
and Courier would look after the Colonels
and the pretty sponsors and their maids Of
honor.
The Post cheered up the old boys with the
reflection that they might not live TO see an
other Reunion, and suggested the idea that
they now had q favorable opportunity to look
upon the officers, after which they might 60
off and die at their leisure-any time between
now and the next Reunion.
Each newspaper did its part we'll, and most
acceptably, and we hope that neither may be
vexed at the Press and Banner, in case we
have not divided the honors evenly. Both
papers did beautifully.
Taken as a whole, these Reunions OF the
Confederate Veterans are the greatest insti.
tutions on earth. One notable thing about
these gatherings is, she increasing numbers
that attend each succeeding Reunion.
Like the list Of pensioners, 1t grows with the
passing years. There we're, we believe. $4,000
OF them In Charleston this week-consid.
erably more than Lee had at Appomattox.
AS place Of enjoyment. as has been said
by another, these Reunions have no equal for
two GLASSES, namely: The very high and the
very humble. The very high enjoy It because
OF the alteration which they receive from the
very humble. The very humble enjoy II be-
cause Of the opportunity they have to make
manifest their idolatry of those they deem
their superiors. For these two classes no 90
casion on earth is as good as Reunio
There 10 another class - an intermediate
class-who are not high enough to be wor-
shipped by anybody, and who are too self
respecting to fall down and worship anybody.
They simply keep In the middle Of the road,
enjoying things as they pass in review, with
out the slightest hope OF being factors in the
great drama which is being performed. 80 to
speak, they are merely lockers on in Vienna.
Humble spectators, witnessing the show.
The next Reunion will be held in Louisville,
KY. For her stirring scenes. her historic
events, and her sentimental songs, all the
Southland loves Kentucky with her blue
grass and walnut trees. The two classes
which enjoy these Reunions will no doubt be
there in great numbers.
This editor hopes to live to see the day,
when the Reunions will be In fact Reunions
OF the Confederate Soldiers. The Colcnels
and their idolators have had so many In.
nings, that the rehearsals are beginning to
have something OF q sameness about them,
namely: The same riders, the same huggers,
the same kissers, etc.
Some notice was taken Of McKinley's talk
about onfederate graves We think the Vet
Grams, or those who spoke for them. were too
much exercised. The whole discussion, 1t
seemed to us, was out of order. Mckinley
never had any idea Of disturbing the Confed-
crate graves, or depriving anybody OF the
mournful pleasure OF decorating them. The
fact is, we do not believe he has lost any sleep
at all on the subject. He merely spoke dg-
uratively, and only meant to be agreeable to
his hosts while on visit to the South.
The railroads handled the multitude with
wonderful promptness, and to the satisfaction
Of all. The trains never before came in as
promptly during excursion seasons as they
did last week.
MIR. William Hemphill came back from
Charleston greatly delighted with his trip
amp talks Interestingly Of the ships and the
people that he saw.
About eighty persons went to Charleston