The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-17
INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE.
Jefferson Davis Daughter to Gen.
George Norman,

George Norman.
Headquarters United Confederate vete-
rams, New Orleans La, April 25.--Mrs
Margaret Howell Jefferson Davis Hayes,
care Mr.. ]. Addison Hayes, Coloroda
Springs, Col.
My Dear Mrs. Hayes: AS you are aware.
the next Confederate reunion will be held
in the city of Louisville. KY, near the
spot. and upon the soil which gave birth to
your illustrious father. 1t will commence
its session on May 30 next, and continue
for five days, including Sunday, June 8,
which will be the anniversary Of the 92d
birthday of your beloved father, and OF
our beloved President
We propose to devote that day exclusive
ly to memorial services in honor of our
great President, and of our dear "Daugh-
ter of the Confederacy." and of all Of the
Confederate heroes who have passed away,
and are with them to-day around the Great
White Throne.
IL is Gen. Gordon's desire, and he but
voices the sentiments of every surviving
Confederate, that you will attend this
great reunion with all the members of
your family as it is doubtful IL the re-
union ever again will be held in the state
which gave birth to the greatest man
which the South ever produced
On account of the reunion being held in
to the Confederacy, II will be the grea test
ever held, and the social functions will be
upon more magnificent scale than ever
attempted before. The chivalry and beauty
of the South will gather at Louisville upon
that occasion in larger numbers than at
any previous reunion, and the Reunion
Committee at Louisville will see to it that
this reunion excels all of those preceding
II.
For thesereasonsi 1t is Gen. Corr1on's wish,
-
the entire South, in requesting that you
permit him to appoint your eldest dnugn-
ter. Miss Varina Howell Davis Hayes as
sponsor for the entire South.
In this position, she would be appointed
by him to represent the entire South, and
TO rule as queen over the large number of
sponsors and maids of honor who will be
sent there representatives from every
Southern state.
Gen. Gordon hopes that you will accede
TO this request of his. and I can assure
You that your acquisscence, when II Is
known that one Of the grand daughters of
Jefferyon Davis r. 60 Do at Louisville es
the sp0nsor for the entire South, Will sand
O thrill Of pleasure through the heart or
every man, woman arS child from tho Pc
tofnac to the Rio Grande, and from the
Ohio to the Gulf.
And allow me, dear Mrs. Hayes, to take
the liberty, In the name OF the general
commanding, and I'm the name OF ell the
surviving heroes of the South, TO respect
fully urge -c,s TO attend this grand reun-
ion.
Your presence there will be pathetic be-
yond description. and will melt the hearts
of the old veterans and of all true peoples
In every land, as they witness the only
surviving child OF the great Southern
chieftaifl, who is revered and loved as no
hero of ancient or modern times was ever
loved, present to hallow this memorable
~t+Hat &c IN
upon the spot which gave him birth; ARD
standing in the presence OF and receiving
the affectionate heartfelt greetings Of the
hattle-scarrcd survivors OF the armies Of
the South who are so fast fading away,
and whom you will probably never meet
again, and who followed the fortunes of
your great father to the close of his life,
and who are stin as true to his memory
as when they were marshaled under ire
starry folds Of the banner of the South.
Thousands In the city OF Louisville will
esteem 1t one of the highest honors TO en-
terrain you and your family while there,
and II you will signify your acceptance. we
will arrange transportation for yourself,
your good husband and your family.
While on this subject, Mr.. Jefferson
Hayes Davis Is a member of Gen. Cor
don's staff with the rank Of colonel, and
of course he must obey orders, OF run the
risk of mourning those penalties prescrtb-
ed by our constitution for disobedience to
his commanding officer; therefore, this
goes to him, not as a request, but IN the
nature of an order.
Nothing which will occur at this great
reunion will give the veterans the exquis-
ite pleasure and unalloyed happiness In as
great a degree, as the proud satisfaction
and pleasure OF greeting your dear old
mother and yourself and husband, and the
grandchildren Of the man whose memory
we love and revere above that Of every
thing else on earth.
May ! take the liberty OF begging an
affirmative response at your earliest con-
venlence. With highest esteem, very sin
cerely and cordially,
George Norman.
Adjutant General and Chief of STAFF.
Mrs. Hayes Reply.
Coronado Beach, Cal, May 7.-Gen.
George Norman Adjutant General, u.
c. VS.. New Orleans, La: My Dear
General: Your kind letter forwarded from
Colorado Springs has just reached me
here after following me from one place
TO another, and hasten to answer II.
Mr.. Hayes has been very seriously III
this spring, and our altitude made II i'm
possible for him 70 breathe, so we-that
Is, Varina (my daughter), and I--came
here 90 take care Of him, and after some
anxious weeks Of careful nursing I have
him looking remarkably well. and we will
probably be able to leave here by May
IS. en- route for home.
My daughter Is deeply grateful for the
great honor Gen Gordon wishes to show
her. and Mr.. Hayes and feel much graf
flied, and l hope she win be always
worthy Of this great honor. She is very