The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-12
THE old CONFEDS.
Tremendous Ovation Given General
Wheeler by the Veterans.
SPEECH FAVORED EXPANSION.
The General Cited Purchase Of Terri.
tory by Democratic Presidents.
WINNIE DAVIS MEMORIAL EXERCISES.
WINNIE DAVIS MEMORIAL EXERCISES.
Solemn and Impressive Exercises Thanks
Returned to Northerners.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS OCCURS TODAY.
General Gordon VIII he Unanimous
ly Re-eIected as Commander-in-
Chief--Notcs About TcSnns.

Charleston. s. c., May 1.-THE confed-
crate Veterans held but zoe session to-
day, which shortly after noon gave way
TO the Winnie Davis memorial exercises at
the conclusion of which an Adjournment
until 10 o'clock tomorrow was taken. The
announcement that General Joe Wheeler
was to speak filled the auditorium, and
the hero OF two wars was given a rousing
reception BY the Immense audience.
The delegates and visitors devoted the
afternoon to excursions to neghboring re-
sorts, trips down the bay and social func-
tons, and tonight a concert was given at
the Auditorium, whore a superb choir and
orchestra rendered programme OF SOUTH
ern war songs.
General Stephen d. Lees resolution ac-
cepting President McKinley's suggestion
that the Federal government should as
sumo tho caro- of Confederate graves Is
now in the hands OF the committee on
resolutions, TO which 1t was referred to-
day. The committee held session, but
reached no final action. They Will meet
at o'clock this morning, and 1t is proba-
bic the matter will be disposed of during
the morning session OF the convention. The
election of officers will occur tomorrow.
General ]. h. Gordon has no opposition to
re- election as commander in chief and bis
election Will probably be unanimous.
Perfect weather continues and the re-
union is pronounced one of the most on
joyable and successful OF Its eight prede-
cessors. In spite of the crowd there have
been no disorders or accidents, and the
police arrangements are In keeping With
other preparations made by the city for
tho reception and entertainment OF the
veterans.
Tho committee on resolutions, which Is
considering General Lees resolution, IL
composed OF the following:
T. w. Carwile South Carolina; Colonel
Benton II. Young, kentucky General
George Rese, Francis Boiling; w. c. Tai
Icy, Tennessee, James Coffin, Arkansas;
Thomas Spignt, Mississippi; H. w. Hunter,
District OF Columbia; James II. Crow Ala
bama Colonel David Fable, Louisiana;
Colonel j. s. Sanders, Missouri; S. p.
Green, Texas; James A. Laffan, West Viz
GINA; G. c. Ralnwater, Maryland; +. IA,
Busbee, North Carolina.
committee OF Confederate veterans
appointed by the general assembly OF
Florida, headed by Colonel Durant. pre-
scented to the veterans during the morning
resolution from the Florida Legislature
urging some action looking TO uniformity
In the method of granting pensions by the
different States to disabled veterans.
After some further general business the
feature OF the days session took place.
General Wheeler's address and the scene
that attended It's introduction was one VI
frantic enthusiasm.
Advancing to the front OF the platform.
General Gordon held up his hand and abb
soute silence fell upon the vast audieAce
as he said Comrades, ! have a real treat
for you. If | should tell this convention
there is here the hero OF San,iag5 '--Gen-
eral Gordon could get no further wild
burst Of applause Numbered forth. rebel
yells split the air and hats, canes and
handkerchiefs were waved as the great
audience rose to Its feet. Finally secur-
ing quiet, General Gordon spoke OF Cen
era Wheeler as the man who al Santiago
held the flag of America.
Again the applause Numbered out. and
rising the assemblage continued cheering
until the scene was one Of the widest that
has ever marked reunion. Proceeding
General Gordon declared General Wheeler
as one Of "the widest wizards OF the Con-
federacy" and then repeated the apoc-
alryman when at Santiago he exclaimed as
the Spanish lines broke, Forward. boys,
the Yankees are running and again the
applause broke out, The audience rose
as General Wheeler stepped forward, APP
parently much affected. He wore a black
Prince Albert suit with badges on each
lapel Of his coat. He spoke deliberately,
calmly and clearly, the audience giing
him close attention. His reference to the
general sorrow caused by the death of
Winnie Davis affected many to tears
General Wheeler said in part.
The history of our country. when COM
pared with that of all the eras that ha
preceded us. shows that our civilization
has produced the highest class Of men nnd
the noblest type Of soldiers The very
dea Of liberty nerves the soul and fires
the heart Defeat but exasperates. adding
desperation to vlgor and energy to deter
mined resolve.
1T was the teaching OF fathers and
mothers who fled from the oppression OF
caste and class braved the unfathomed
ocean and landed upon these shores. con-