The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-06-04
REUNIONS CLOSING SCENES.
Tributes PAID TO THE MEMORY
OF JEFFERSON DAVIS.

speech Made by Gen. Clement A.
Evans of Georgia-Judge Reagan,
surviving Member of the Confed-
crate Cabinet. Spoke of Mr.. Davis
SeIf-sacrifice-TheA Annual Sermon
Was Preached by Rev. j. William
Jones of Virginia.
louisville. June 3.--The last exercises
connected with the tenth annual reunion
of the United Confederate Veterans oc-
curred to-day when the ninety-second an
ADVERSARY of the birth of Jefferson Davis
was observed IN union with services in
memory of Mr.. Davis, Winnie Davis, the
daughter of the Confederacy. and the Con-
tolerate dead.
Although thousands of the Confederate
reunion visitors had left the city, 5000 per-
sons attended the exercises. The exercises
we're largely of religious character, but
nevertheless there was applause at times
from the audience.
Mrs. Hayes, the daughter of jefferson
Davis, and her daughter, Miss Varnin
Hayes were on the platform, but as the
services were concluded, had to hasten to
the railroad 10 catch train. A daughter
of Cen e. Kirby Smith was also on the
platform. Gen. Gordon had been expected
to preside and also to address the audi
ence, but he was called away from Louis
Vile this morning and his place was taken
by Cen Stephen d. Lee
After the singing of the hymn the open
ing prayer was offered by Rev. B. S. High
ley, of Trappe, Nd, who was chaplain of
the Fifty-frst, Virginia Regiment during
the Civil War;
Gen. Evans Tribute.
The first speaker was Gen. Clement A.
Evans, of Georgia. He said this day
would always be observed by liberty
loving people. Some states had made it
legal holiday and this audience was pres
ent to-day to express the same sentiment
that was expressed in these legislative en-
actments. He would not stir up the past,
although 1t is history. He would not
carry vengeance, notwiths tanding his love
and admiration for them and the Con-
federates.
THE Southern people celebrated Jefrer-
son Davis birthday" said Gen. Evans,
because he was the first, the last, the
president and the everlasting president of
that republic known as the Confederate
States of America -
Gen. Lee next introduced ex-United
States Senator Reagan, of Texas, the
surviving member of the Confederate cab
met. Judge Reagan said that probably
not in the worlds history had the same
amount of honor been shown to a man
who had represented an unsuccessful
cause as had been shown to Jefferson
Davis.
Judge Reagan told of Mr.. Davis spirit
of sacrifice and said also that jefferson
Davis was an earnest Christian
Gen. Stephen ID. Lee, as a friend of
Jefferson Davis, then paid him tribute
for devotion to principle, exquisite court
esy, and heart tender as woman's
Notwithstanding the sternness of his life"
Sermon of the Day.
Rev. ]. William Jones, of Virginia, chap
lain-general of the United Confederate
Veterans, preached the annual sermon
Mr.. Jones, after telling how Napoleon ex-
horted his soldiers at the battle of the
Pyramios and how later, the French sof-
deTs were animated by being told that the
enemies of their emperor were upon
them, sa the soldiers of Lee were in
spireds in the same way. He then told the
well known incident of Spottsylvania,
when, after Hancock's charge, it seemed
that the Army of Northern Virginia would
be cut in two, Gen. Lee had ridden to
the front as If to lead the charge OF the
Confederat,s and how Gen. John B. Cor
don, graSping The bride OF "Old travel
er had cried: Men, is it necessary that
Gen. Lee lead this charge? You have
never failed me; will you fail me now?"
After the soldiers had replied with
cheer Lee to the rear" Gen. Gordon said
Charge, and remember that the eyes of
your chief are on you" There, Rev. Mr..
Jones applied his text, saying that the
Confederate Veterans of to-day were COM
passed around with witnesses and eyes are
On them. He said he wished to pay spe-
cial attention to the rank and file of the
Confederate army, for he believed that
the world had never seen such soldiers
The exercises closed with the benedic-
ton by the Rev. Mr.. Jones.