Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-11
c,ur OF co>rrDERATE GRAVES.
ABORT Ca secure Endorsement OF NC
MinIc,'s suggestion.

Saort 20 secure Endorsement OF Nc
MinIc,'s suggestion.
CHARLESTON. s c., May i0.-Almost
,t. frs, official act of the ninth annual
union OF the United Confederate Vete-
,srs. which began its sessions here 20.
l,, was an attempt by General stephen
p 10. Of Mississippi, TO secure an en-
5orscn,cnt Of President McKinleys sug-
es,ton. made in his recent Atlanta
specch. that the care of the graves of
tse Confederate dead should be under.
,ssen by the Federal Government.
Action on the resolution. however. was
frstratcd by a motion 10 refer IL to the
committee on Resolutions. in spite OF a
rather general sentiment to put IL through
with enthusiasm. As this committee Is
set 10 be appointed. II Is not probable
that the matter will be taken mp to-mor-
row. and the ultimate fate of the resolu-
ton Is problematical
The motion TO refer originated with DIR.
J William Jones. Of Virginia. and met
with some opposition and il Is believed
the matter will eventually cause some
discussion, as there Is "A decided faction
IN faVor Of General Lees sentiments,
while the opposition IS also said 10 be
very strong.
ne IflfitiNt u 'gHllIltAff GiNb"'if
Will result I'm amending the resolution 30
that, while thanking the President and
acknowledging his action as q graceful
one. II will declare that the care OF IFS
dead is "A duty Of the South's
WEATHER IDEAL.
Ideal weather conditions favor the Veie-
rams OF dhe gray and their thorsahuS Vl
friends. who are crowding this hoSpltaDic
little southern city. brilliant sun i"
tempered by a cool bree~v 4ioin III.
ocean and fair skies hold no presage OF
rain 10 mar the iHl'''''"5 P"7'" ''"N
OF arnusements
A conservative estimate places the num-
her of visitors at between twenty-five
thousand and thirty thousand. The at
tendance from the South at large is not
90 general as I'm former years. but the
South Carolinians and veterans from adj
facent states make up the deficiency
willie southern enthusiasm Is at top-bood
Tvervwhere is heard the blare of bands,
and the strains of the Bonnie Blue
Rag rninele with Dixie and other airs
dear 90 the Southland while cheering
crowds greet every repetition of the
tu,es The best OF order prevails. and
over an is the air of genial sociability
which marks the annual gatherings OF
the association.
BUSINESS SESSION.
Tb, business aession of the reunion was
called 10 order this morning by General
a. J. Walker. commanding the South
Carolina Division. in the handsome Audi
+orHm erected for the occasion by the
ci,v of Charleston. Its enormous floor
eracc was crowded, and thousands Were
unable 90 gain admittance to the build
ing When General John b. Gordon, the
commarder-in-chicf appeared upon the
stare he was greeted with thunders of
applause. The band struck up 'DiXie."
and the veterans cheered and cheercd
again.
ln calling the assemblage to order.
General Walker spoke of Charlestons in
vitauon to the veterans TO meet at the
birthplace NJ secession and said that
the gaycl DE was using was that which.
IN 1850 had been used TO call TO order
The secession convention. The chairs used
by the officers to-day and the table OF
the presiding officer We're the same as
those used on that memorable occasion.
OPENING PRAYER.
Dr. j. William Jones, the Chaplain-Gen-
eral then invoked the Divine blessing
unpon the convention. lie addressed the
God Of our common country" and pray
al that all Confederates might be
true 20 the principles OF constitutional
freedom for which our fathers fought"
and that these principles might be hand
cd down to our children and children's
Children"
He invoked the Divine blessing upon the
President OF the United states and all
in authority.
Speaker Gary. of the House of Repre-
santatiVes of South Carolina, presented
the resolutions adopted by the General
Assembly in regard 10 the holding of the
reunion I'm this state.
General Walker then introduced Lieu
tenant-G0vernor McSweeney. whose mem
ton OF Weyler was applaUded.
Mayor Smythc. Of Charleston, extended
10 the visitors a welcome from the city.
OVATION TO GORDON.
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 Wells for the commander
ia-chief mingled with the crash Of
the band. and hats. handkerchiefs, and
flags We're waved frantically. When or |
cer Was finally secured the old COnfede- |
rate chieftain was presented by General !
Walker and delivered an eloquent add |
dress H. spoke with all the vigor, elo- |
qJence. and grace which have won for !
Dim national reputation as an orator. |
General Gordon said:
GENERAL GORDON'S ADDRESS
Governor. Gentlemen Of the Commit |
iD My FelOw-C Ountrymen of South |
t.rolua.-The flood of emotions which |
SINS The scIsibiities of these veterans
To-day is their loving answer TO your |
gracious greeting These emotions will |
speak t0 YOU in language far more I'M
T's-i'c and eloquent than any words
mat ! could utter. The ringing shouts |
from these thousands Of Confederate |
thr0ats are veritable echoes OF the in
spring resolutions Of welcome unanimous
y adopted 10y your General Assembly.
While those resolutions have cheercd |
and thrilled every southern soldiers
heart they were not needed TO tell US OF
lne reception that awaited US in South /
carolina Her whole history and that OF
nor commercial capital were the promise !
ana guarantee Of this magnificent reality.
Tor more than two hundred years, made
memorable 10y heroic struggles In war and
brilliant achievements in peace. the names
VI South Carolina and of Charleston have
p''n the synonyms Of hospitality, OF
eiNairy and ~ valor.
WHAT else could bo expected of a peO-
l.e in whose veins are commingled the
bood OF the proud English Cavaliers?
Ae blood of those devoted and resolute
men who protested against the immoral-
N's and grinding eXactiOns OF the
eiuarts the blood OF the stalwart Dis
fei'crs and of the heroic Highlandcrs Of
scotland. and OF the sturdy democratic
Iiesbycrians Of Ireland; the blood OF