The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1899-05-18


did not decrease tho cheering.
The gavcl which Con. Bonham used
In calling the convention to order wa,
: the ono presented last year to the
South Carolina division. 1t Is made Of
wood from the tree under which the
great secession meeting at AbbevillC
was hold, tho crystalizing movement
towards secession convention. The
evening prayer by Rev. John Lake, OF
Edgofield, invoked the blessings OF the
COD OF Lee, jackson and Davis. The
prayer was beautiful In wording and
sentiment.
Gcn. B0nham spoke briefly and in.
troduced Hon. Francis Fl. Weston, who
delivered the formal address of VOL
come. w. +. Jones, of Elberton, Ca,
replied to the address. A notable
speaker was Robert E. Lee, Jr., the
grandson OF Gen. Robert E. Lee. Mr..
Lee received an ovation and feelingly
thanked the Sons for their warm greet
ing. Mr. Lee Is young man OF fine
appearance, largo and handsome and
speaks with that fascinating Virginia
accent. His remarks were few, but
perfect In sentiment and delivery, and
as he took his scat the hall rang with
cheers.
The reception OF the United States
cruiser, Raleigh. beginning at / | u. m.
was cordial and animated. The Raj
elgh was one OF the main reliances Of
Dewey's fleet in the brilliant victory at
Manila q year ago, aud is commanded
by noted officer, Capt Joseph b. Cogh-
Ian. The cruiser was deckcd with flags
and signal colors and made an impos-
ing sight moving across the bay. The
naval reserve fired the welcome salute.
Mayor pro tenn Zimmerman Davis ex-
tended the official welcome. The oi1i-
Gers OF the vessel were received at q |
o'clock lunch, at which Capt. Coghlan,
Mayor Smythe and Chairman Sinkler
made speeches. The Raleigh anchored
at convenient point and thousands
boarded the gallant cruiser.
THURSDAY.
| The morning session Of the conven-
tion was opened by tho singing of the
doxology. Gen. Joe Wheeler was in
troduced by Gen. Gordon as the hero
OF Santiago and the wizard OF the Con-
federacy.
| General Wheeler declared that tho
military history of the Southern people
has been prominent feature in his
tory from the first settlement Of this
country. He cited Washington and the
other Southern commanders of the
revolution, Winfield Scott and Andrew
jackson and the other heroes of the
war Of 1872. the Southern generals who
won fame in the war with Mexico. or
the war between the States he said ::
| The battle-scarred veterans, who dur
| ing the four years Of bloody warfare
dazzled the world with the splendor OF
| their herOlsm, arc fast passing away
Ihe lew who remain gather annually
| to renew the friendship, which, formed
among such scenes, is the warmcst and
most enduring. No greater heroes
were IN tho lcgions led by Alexander,
Hannibal, Charlemagne or Napoleon,
Tor your achievements eXceilcd all
theirs"
He declared that southern states-
men and soldiers had ever been fore.
most In the enlargement OF our coun-
try, particularly in wrestling from the
wild Indians great territory. He de-
clared for the annexation CT Cuba.
General Wheeler concluded by q
tribute to the women of the Cunfeder-
acy as follows:
"Although some of those blessed
women are still with us, many more
have long since gone to their reward
but they have rocked in 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 gen
eratlon TO whom we must soon intrust
sacred charge, for the Confederato
soldiers race Is noarly run, and tho in
junction which | would leave with
your sons and daughters-for tho
daughters have the nobler part, and
know they will faithfully perform it
is this
''See to it that the women of thu
Confedcracy have, in their postcrity, n
monument moro lasting than any that
| could be built OF stone"
! The Winnie Davis memorial services
were the feature of the days session.
Gen Capero made the prayer. "Nearer,
my God, to Thee" was sung. Mrs
Jefferson Davis was not at the reunion.
being i'll.
The Jefferson Davis Monument COM
mlttee recommended that all iunds
raised should BE- consolidated with the
funds raised by the Daughters of the
Confederacy and be dlsbursed under
their direction.
A magnificent silken flag was pre-
sented during the morning to the Uni
ted Confeder ate veterans by the Daugh.
ters OF the Confederacy OF chapter No.
4, Charleston. The presentation
speech was delivered by General Wade
Hampton. Gen. Gordon replied in
accepting this sacred flag which has
never been stained and which shall
evor be borne by loving hands and wor-
shipped by loyal hearts,"
Con. Hampton resigned the COM
mand OF the Army Of Northern Vir.
ginla on account OF his increasing
intirmities, saying he would 20 into
the ranks as s. private.
a letter was read from Gen Fitz.
hugh Lee expressing regrets that he
could not attend the reunion. His
duties in Cuba were pressing and the
quarantine laws forbade him entering
any Southern port at this season.
The report of tho committee on Gro.
dentisls shows the following reproscn.
tation Virginia division, oamns
lO2 delegates Maryland division, -
camps, 20 delegates; North Carolina
division, 80 camps, 98 delegates South
Carolina division, I25 camps, 229 dele.
gates; kentucky division, 10 camps,
~ delegates; West Virginia divis'
ion, II camps, % delegates Ten.
nessee division, camps, Is delegates ::
Indiana, camp, delegates Georgia
l20 camps, 223 delegates Alahama
lOl camps, l22 delegates; Tennessee
y camps, ll5 delegates Mississipni'