The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-07-20
M'KINL.EY SENT REGRETS
The Reunion is at Atlanta. General
Gordon Delivers Address.
GENERAL SHAW WAS CHEERED LOUDLY
He Says That the North and the South Under
stand Each Other, and Together viii
Learn Unity. Eloquent Address.
es Are Delivered.
CBy the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated Press.)
Atlanta, Ca, July 19.-Five thousand
members of the Grand Army of the Re-
public and the United Confederate Vet
Grams Justify cheered the commanders Of
these two organizations, General AlJert
E. Shaw and General John B. Gordon, Is
they sat eogther upon the stage of the
Grand Opera House at the kindling of the
camp fire of the Blue and Gray reunion
here tonight. The occasion was the for
NAL beginning of the reunion of the sur
viving veterans of the union and the
confederate armies who fought in the
battles around Atlanta, in July, 1864
The auditorium Cf the theatre was filled
with the veterans who mingled in frater
nal peace and cheered the battle tunes
of Dixie and Yankee Doodle with equal
enthusiasm.
Upon the stage were seated distinguish
ed soldiers, many of them commanding
officers in the different engagements.
Over the heads of those on the stage the
United States flag and that of the Con-
federate States was draped together,
typifying the sentiment OF the camp fire.
President Mckinley, unable to be pres
ent, sent his regrets in the following
telegram:
Executive Mansion, Washington, July
18th, 1900.
Hon W. A. Hemphill, Chairman Exc
cutive Committee, Atlanta, Ga.
Il deeply regret my inability to be with
you during the reunion of the Blue and
the Gray in Atlanta this week. Such re-
unions are gratifying evidences of good
feeling and comradeship and give assur-
ance of the permanence of our govern
ment, resting upon the patriotism of a
reunited people. Please express to those
who may be present my cordial congratu-
lations and best wishes.
(Signed)
"WILLIAM MCKINLEY"
The Presidents words brought the au-
dience to it's feet in a burst OF applause.
When General Gordon who was the first
speaker of the evening, was presented
to the vast audience by Colonel w. A.
Hemphill, Master of Ceremonies, the
cheering continued for several minutes.
He was frequently interrupted by vocifer-
GUS applause and cheers. He said
For more than third of century
have earnestly and unwaveringly labored
for the realization of this era of American
brotherhood. Throughout the long night
of sectional passion I have eagerly watch
ed for the dawn of this peaceful delivery
whose light comes from the very throne
of God. l praise Heaven for every in
dication that prejudice and distrust have
given place to sectional fraternity and
mutual confidence All hail the power
of an all pervading Americanism which
shall make of us in truth as in name one
people inspired and swayed by the one
lofty and resistless purpose to do justice
to all nations; but to see to it that the
flag Of this republic shall be a protecting
power over every American in all lands
even in bloody and barbaric China. All
hail the day when, with one accord we
shall proclaim to all the world that every
drop of American blood shed by unlawful
hands shall be avenged by American
manhood"
No less enthusiasm greeted General
Shaw and throughout his patriotic ad-
dress he was listened to with the closest
attention. He said;
81 am delighted to stand here as the
representative head of the G. A. r. / am
proud to say that Grand Army men have
done much TO teach the people Of the
South what true manhood and courage is.
'In my recent visits through the South
nv heart has been stirred by the evidence
that we are to live in the present.
1--WE understand each other now. 1t
was an untold sacrifice to learn the les
son of the past and now let us learn the
lesson of unity"
General j. c.. Breckenridge, inspector
general of the United States army, and
a distinguished Union veteran, and Col
oneI w. c. P. Breckenridge, of Kentucky,
an equally distinguished Confederate vet
eran, were on the stage. The former
was presented and after he had conclud
ed an eloquent tribute to the reunited
country, his brother, Colonel w. c. p.
Breckenridge, spoke.
General o. O. Howard and Governor j.
a. Mount, of Indiana, made short
speeches.
CEuEpaT cuaTErE TE pRaM0TEn