The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1900-06-07
A GREAT OCCASION
IN LOUISVILLE.
TWELFTH CONFEDERATE HEUN.
ION.

The Veterans and tho Soma and
Daughters oftho Confederacy Make
Greet Gathering in Old Ken
tucky--Some Notable Features
Gen. Gordon Rc.eiected Com man
der.
Louisville, kentucky was during
week the scene OF great gathering
Ihls time the remnant OF the great
Confederate Army, that once invaded
Kentucky with hostile intent, went
Into the homes and hearts OF the
people with gladness and In peace
Tie Reunion Of tho Veterans and the
meetings OF the Sons Of Confederate
Veterons and the Daughters OF the
Confederacy began on Wednesday and
ended Friday. The rain interferred
with some OF the arrangements. The
following IL q condensed account OF the
proceedings
The reunion was called to order
snort y after noon by Major General
Poyntz, commanding the Kentucky
division, who announced that tho exer-
cises would begin with the singing OF
Inc doXology, and after it had been
sung oy the entire assembly with fer
Vor, introduced Rev. J. VIM. Jones,
chaplain-in-chief, who delivered u
short prayer
Mayor Weaver, Of Louisville, well
coined the veterans as follows:
Inc city Of Louisville bids you a
glad welcome. Hor 250,0O people,
with Que voice, greet you with the
most generous offers Of hospitality.
Ehe superb history Of the armies Of
tho Confederate States fills the bright
est pages In the annals of human cour-
age aud human self-sacritice. And now
tn9t the war is gone save in the splen.
Gld memories OF glorious manhood and
patriotism it developed, this city, as
you come to renew the memories of the
past and pledge again the vows of de-
votl0n and loyalty to each other and the
principles for which you fought, feels
especially honored to have you assem-
bled for this laudable object within our
gates.
"Oq behalf of the city | offer you its
freedom, its hospitality, it entertain
ment and welcome"
Short welcoming speeches were made G
by Col. Thos. w. Bullitt, OF the board
OF trade, Rev.. Carter Helm Jones for
the Commercial Club, and Chief JUS
preme Court. Con. S. b. Buckner,
delivered an address Of welcome in be-
half OF the Confederate veterans OF
Kentucky.
The Confederate Glee Club evoked
great enthusiasm by the manner in
which 1t rendered I" My Old Kentucky
Home"
General Bennett Young, of Louis
Vile, presented the building to the
visitors In an eloquent speech and pro-
nounced an extended eulogy on the
courage, fortitude and patriotism of
the soldiers OF the South and declared
that Kentucky cherished among her
proudest heritage the privilege OF car.
ing for the thousands of Confederate
dead who lie within the State.
This hour witnesses the realization
OF long cherished plans and the fulfill.
ment OF years Of hope. The Confeder-
ates OF kentucky with great desire
have lOnged for u meeting OF the sur
vivors OF the Lost Cause within the
limits of this commonwealth, and now
that you have come, there is no good
thing they would withhold from you"
General John B. Gordon replied to
these welcomes and" to the'general
welcome in thrilling speech. After
d general reply and warm expressions
OF gratitude for the evident hospitality
toward: the hattle-worn men, he went
into.an eulogy OF Kentucky, and drew
some striking pictures. The latter
part of his speech was as follows
AS Southerner glory in the un-
rivaled gifts OF this section to the gen
eral government in its illustrious
names, in the untarnished honor of it's
public servants and In the brilliant
achievements OF its sons in peace and
war. AS an American, who loves his
whole country, l confidently claim for
her the foremost place among all the
nations. proudly challenge the rec.
ords OF all time to furnish o parallel to
her career ; to equal the practical and
developing genius Of her citizens to
match her high and holy political aims;
to present spectacle 80 inspiring to
humanity as she stands, the noblest
representative OF all that is pure in re-
ligion, conservative in government, Or
ennobling In freeedom-the one com
manding and conquering republic, un-
challenged in her leadership and un.
approachable in her isolation OF gran
deur and glory. Loyal as | believe
myself to be to all States and sections,
as we'll as to the great republic itself,
] nevertheless declare my conviction
that kentucky's history taken as a
front rank OF States. Look at her early
struggles with stealthy and blood
thirsty saSages in the wilds Of. an un-
broken wilderness, when her bold
pioneers we're all heroes and their
wives 8nd daughters were all heroines.
When even her faithful black slaves
caught the contagion of courage and
of sacrifice. What story in fiction, for
example, can compare in romantic in.
terest to that Of Kentucky's three
maidens captured and borne away by
Indians, and rescued by. their. three
lovers after long and eager puroult day
and night.through dense canebrakes
and tangled jungles? Z? 80
"Beginning her life amidst such sur
roundlngs, reared to statehood upon
food 80 conducive to exalted manhood
and noble womanhood; is it any wonder
that the kentucky Of today boasts OF
the proud array OF her groat sons, Of
her Breckinridges, OF her 'Clays AND
hef Crittendcns, her Helms and Ker
Hahs0ms, her Marsha1ls and her Nor.
gans and her almoet endless catalogue
OF soldiers and statesmen worthy the