The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-05-12
CHEERING THE VETS.
Scenes Of Enthusiasm at the Con-
federates' Reunion.
GEN. wHBBLBRs NOISY GREETING

Charleston, May 12.-The Confeder-
ate Veterans held but one session yes
terday, which shortly after noon gave
way to the Whine Davis memorial ex-
ercises, at the conclusion OF which an
adjournment until 10 o'clock was
taken. The announcement that Cen
eral Joseph Wheeler was to speak
filled the auditorium.
After some routine business tho
feature OF the days session took place.
10 was General Wheeler's address, and
the scene that attended his introduce
tion was one OF frantic enthusiasm.
Advancing to the front of the platform
General Gordon held up his hand, and
absolute silence was upon the vast
audience as he said:
Comrades, | have here a real treat
for you. If l should tell this conven-
tion there is here the hero of San
tiago"-
General Gordon could get no further.
A wild burst of applause thundered
forth. rebel yells split the air and hats,
canes and handkerchiefs were waved
as the great audience rose to its feet.
Finally securing quiet General Gordon
spoke of General Wheeler as "the man
who at Santiago held TO the front place
the army and flag of America"
Again the applause burst out, and
rising the assemblage continued cheer
ing until the scene was one of the
widest that has ever marked a re.
union.
Proceeding. General Gordon declared
Wheeler one of the wiliest wizards of
the Confederacy," and then repeated
the apocryphal story of the famous
little cavalryman when at Santiago he
exclaimed as the Spanish lines broke
Forward, boys; the Yanks are run
ming" Again the applause broke forth.
The audience rose as General
Wheeler stepped forward, apparently
much affected. He wore a black Prince
Albert suit, with badges on each lapel
OF his coat One was yellow by chance
and the other was red. He spoke de-
liberately calmly and clearly, the au-
dience giving him close attention. His
reference to the general sorrow caused
by the death of Winnie Davis affected
many to tears. He closed amid much
applause and the orchestra played
America"
Then occurred one of the most pic
turesque incidents of the session. Cen
eral Gordon arose and advanced to
the front of the stage, followed by
General Wade Hampton, escorted by
Colonel Holmes and Major Barker, the
former bearing a beautiful silk flag.
one side of which was the battlehag
of the Confederacy and the reverse the
state flag of South Carolina. In a few
well chosen words Colonel Holmes pre-
sented the banner to General Hampton
as the gift of the Daughters of the
Confederacy of Charleston to the Uni
ted Confederate Veterans.
Turning, General Hampton presented
the flag to General Gordon, who ac-
cepted 1t with a graceful little address.
Here, as on all occasions when he ap-
pears, General Hampton was greeted
with tremendous applause, the old vet
eran of the famous legion that bore his
name being the idol not only of his
state, but the whole south. In present.
ing the flag General Hampton also re-
signed as commander of the Army
of the Northern Virginia, saying he
would serve in the ranks as a private.
He gave as a reason that his declining
years and physical weakness rendered
him unable to give to the Office the
attention and energy it demands Many
of the veterans were visibly affected
at the generals words, and for an in
stant absolute silence prevailed. Then
as II by common impulse, they rose
and cheered Justify Bowing his
thanks, General Hampton stepped back
and soon afterward left the rostrum.
The report of the Jefferson Davis
monument committee, which was sub
mitted yesterday, indorses the sug-
gestion that the task of the completion
of the monument be turned over to tho
Daughters of the Confederacy. The
report shows the committee now has on
hand S19,9S2. II urges an active and
aggressive movement for the COM
pletion of the proposed monument at
Richmond, and says that the commit
tee has concluded from the i'll success
which its efforts have met with that
the cooperation OF the women OF the
south is absolutely necessary If the
project is to be consummated.
The delegation and visitors devoted
the afternoon to excursions to nearby
resorts, trips down the bay and social
functions, and last night concert was
given at the auditorium, where a su-
perb choir and orchestra rendered a
program on southern war songs.
The committee on resolutions, TO
which was referred General Lees reso-
luton accepting President McKinleys
proposal that the federal government
should make provision for the care
of the graves OF Confederate dead,
spent several hours discussing the mat
ter yesterday, and finally a compromise
resolution was framed, and this will
be offered as a substitute. The sub
stitute is to the effect that If the ma
tional government desires to care for
the graves the Confederate veterans
do not object to its taking charge of
those in the north and in the neigh
borhood of the old war prisons. The
resolution will state that the women
of the south have voluntarily under
taken to decorate and properly pre-
serve the graves in the south, and the
association does not feel warranted I'm
taking from them what they have
grown TO regard as a duty.
The election of officers will occur
this afternoon, General John B. Cor
don has no opposition to reelection as
eommander-in-chief, and his election
probably will be unanimous.