Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-31

dress the a. p. Hill Camp OF Peters
burg. Va, came into the hall, headed
by fife and drum corps. which Gre
ated such noise that 1t was impos-
sible for Mr.. Jones to continue.
Other speeches were made by Colonel
Attila Cox. Chief Justice Hazelrigg.
General Buckner, and Colonel Bennett
II. Young.
At the conclusion of his address Col
oncl Young turned to General Gordon
and handed him the keys of the build
ing which had been erected for the Re
union.
GENERAL GoRDoN's ADDRESS.
General Gordon was visibly moved
several minutes stood bowling his
thanks. When quiet was restored again
he spoke as follows
General. Mr.. Mayor and Gentlemen OF
the Reception Committees:
No man Is gifted enough, and no
words are strong enough to tell Ken
tuckians what We feel at this hour. and
how deeply we feel 1t. Shall l say for
my comrades and myself that we
are grateful. profoundly grateful? That
would be. III the presence of such
demonstration. the merest common
place, the needless statement of q pat
emit fact. which you already know or can
plainly read in these molStened eyes
and quivering lips. Shall tell you that
we are amazed, that we were unprepur-
ed for such a display, such exuberance
of hospitality, such warmth and pro-
disality of welcome? l cannot say that
for 1t would be untrue. We knew be-
forehand what to expect Of this great
hearted people.
Your distinguished fellow CITIZEN
Colonel Bennett Young, who was the
selected mouthpiece of your delegates
had assured us at Charleston in words
fervd and eloquent, that If we would
come to Louisville. Kentucky's homes
and hearts, Kcntucky's wealth. the
prducts OF her unrivaled pastures. her
tetoderest lambs and fastest bcevcs and
the contents OF her grancries trans
mmted by Kentucky magic mo liquid
corn and rye-that all these should be
ours. the support and the solace the
meat and the drink of these baJJ.le-
worn men
We have come 30 find not only that
1t is true but that the half had not
been told. What can l say. then what
can any man say or do TO represent to
this people the responsive echoes of our
deeply stirred sensibilities? III possess
ed the mystic power TO catch and
| transmute into burning SENTENCES the
| thoughts OF these brains and lie rhythm
| of these hearts. l might hope to give
you some conception OF our apprecia-
ton of this Kentucky greeting Why
| has not some Edison or some gifted
scientist. moved by genius divine, in
| vented some means of photographlng
human emotions? Why did not that
Crazy delN.r into natures secrets who
discovered the N-rays, give us n double
N-ray. powerful enough to expose to
ltentuckys View the emotions of these
men? If such an Instrument were ut
your command this morning, YOU would
see inscribed upon these hearts in in
aelhb!e letters, the beloved name OF
Kentucky.
The truth is. gentlemen. that your
Stale holds n place among her sisters
mat is not only unique but decidedly
picturesque.
she is sui generis. AS Il Georgian,
feel an un.spenkable pride in my native
State. In her glorious past; and | CON
tdently predict for her a great and en-
Vlaoie future. AS a southcrner | glory
in the unrivalcd gifts OF this section TO
the general government; In it's Illus
trious names, in the untarnished honor
OF It's public servants and in the brill
liant achievements of its sons in peace
ana war. AS an American, who loves
MS Whole country, l confidently claim
Tor her the foremost place among all
the nations. l proudly challenge the re-
cords of all time to furnish n parallel
10 her career; to equal the practical
and developing genius of her citizens;
to match her high and holy political
aims; to present n spectacle so inspiring
TO humanity; as we stand, the nobest
representative of all that is pure in re-
sigion. conservative in government or
ennobIing in freedom-the one com
nanuing and conquering republic, I'M
dhaHenSed in her leaderShip and unap-
proachaole In her isolation of grandeur
ana glory. Loyal as l believe myself TO
be to all States and sections. as we'll as
TO the great Republic itself, l neverthe-
less declare my conviction that Ken
tucky's history taken as a whole en-
titles her to position in the front rank
| pf states. Look at her early struggles
with stealthy and blood thirsty savages
in the wilds of an unbroken wilderness,
when her bold pioneers were all heroes
and their wives and daughters were all
nerolnes. When even her faithful black
slaves caught the conta gion of COURAGE
and of sacrifice. What story in fiction,
FOR example. can compare in romantic
interest to that OF Nentuckys three
maidens captured and borne away by
Indians. and rescued by their three
lovers after long and eager pursuit day
and night through dense canebrakcs
and tangled jungles? What creation of
fancy ever equaled in thrilling details
the story of Kentucky's brave matron.
Mrs. Woods, who barred her cabin door
against bowling savages, while the
only one who forced an entrance met
his death at the hands of her dauntless
daughter. who. with uplifted axe struck
him down and chopped of his head as
he was held to the floor by the lame but
| heroic black slave. Would that the
| short time allotted me permitted re-
ference to the long list of other he
roines of Kentucky's early history, and
TO her Daniel Boones. and her Clarks.
and a host OF other stalwart men and
| brave women who thus blazed out the