The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-06-05

NAdlc NclCIdAS dlJOuiLCd sAuc ulc at
s o'clock tonight. The meeting of 1901
will be held in Memphis. Three cities
were competitors for the honor of en-
~tertaining the veterans next year. The
claims of Memphis were presented by
q. W. Gordon, Of Buffalo by u. L.
Smith, and of Jacksonville by DR.. Will
liams. The final vote showed for Mem
phis 1,52O votes, Jacksonville 256, Buff
falo 20. A vote of thanks was extend
ed for the kind invitation Of Buffalo.
The last session of the convention
was confined entirely TO the vote on
the place for the mex convention and
was practically devoid of incident, but
the latter part of the morning session
was full of excitement.
For half an hour the convention was
in a uproar. The trouble arose at the
conclusion of the presentation of the
report of the committee on resolutions.
A resolution had been incorporated in
the report which had been presented
by w. H. 5. Burgwyn, of North car
DINA, to the effect that the convention
of confederate veterans recognized
with appreciation the language of Gen
eral Daniel E. Sickles, the orator or
the annual reunion of the Army Of the
Potomac at Fredericksburg, in which
he had mentioned most kindly the men
of the Confederacy, and the resolution
said the confederates reciprocated the
feeling shown toward them by the
men of the Army of the Potomac.
General Gordon put the question OF
the adoption of the report. There was
a chorus Of ayes" and when he call
ed for the vote in the negative he said
frankly: 1.-The aye have it."
After he had announced the vote
there came a few cries of no"
General Gordon said: 81 did not
think there would be any negative
votes on such a question, but as there
were some after I declared the vote
1 will now re-submit It,"
The author of the resolution took
the floor to speak in behalf of the res
olution and made a strong plea for its
adoption. He said he had been pres
ent at the meeting at Fredericksburg
and had heard the kindly sentiments
expressed by the soldiers of the north
and he desired the passage of the res
olution merely as a matter of courte-
sy.
Captain J.. H. Shepperd, of Rich
mond. Va, secured the floor n said:
L want no coquetting with h yam
KEGS who defeated US. For Gods sake
don't accept anything from their
hands. Don't accept anything from
union S)lQlerS. vote 1t down., cOIH-
radeS, vote it down."
Instantly there was a terrific uproar.
Dozens of delegates were on their feet
demanding recognition from the chair.
Rev. William E. Hill. of Mississippi,
secured the eye of the chairman. He
read again the resolution n strongly
urged it's adoption, saying that the
man who would vote against it was not
worthy the name of soldier.
General S. D. Lee also urged the
adoption of the resolution.
AS he concluded, Colonel %Shepperd
came to the front of the platform and
cried: Vote it down, Vote it down."
He was met with mingled applause,
and cries of 'tSit down..
w. l.. DeRosset, of North Carolina.
declared he was the only membe OF
the committee on resolutions VINO mad
opposed the adoption of the resolution.
He was against it for the reason that
h thought they should not take ac-
ton Until they had received official no
tice of the action taken by the Army
of the Potomac. To adopt it now, ne
considered humiliation of the Confed-
crate Association.
The uproar was now something ire
mendous, men by the dozen shouting to
attrack the attention of the chair,
calling: Vote" Question? "No." Yes"
and Gordon. Gordon"
Besides this there were shouts from
a great many who did nothing else.
Others added to the din by cheering
the speech of some delegate close to
them whose remarks were inaudible
to all but those within a few feet of
him.
General Gordon finally restored or
der and in response to the call for his
opinion, came to the front with a smile
on his face and said: Il trust the time
will never come while I stand on south
ern ground, or among the chivalrouS
men Of the south, when 1 will refuse to
send a kindly message to an enemy
I know the sender Of this message. On
the heights of Gettysburg he stood
CALAMITY in front Of my lines and it
was bullets that sent him to the rear
with d leg off. For me, 1 am going to
reciprocate the kindly message OF the
northern soldier"
Wild cheers greeted this declara-
ton. The question was put and it was
adopted with a roar of assent
General Lyon, Of Kentucky, moved
that the resolution be rec~onsidered,
and a motion to table came on the
heels of his original motion. The mo-
ton to table was lost.
During the day the ladies' committee
having in charge the collection of
funds for the building of the Davis
monument, in Richmond, were active
n In addition to pledges secured yes
terday, raised about $500.
The reunion ball tonight vas a big
success. OF the $4,000 entitled to ad-
mission, it is estimated that 1900 had
visited the ball by midnight. The
grand march at 8 o'clock p. m. was led
by General John B. Gordon and Mrs.
Pickett, widow Of the general who LED
the charge at Gettysburg.
The Association of Surgeons of the
: Confederate Army and Navy today
!; elected the following officers:
President-Dr. Preston B. Scott, OF
Louisville.
Vice ~President-Dr. G.. Nj. Heller, OF
Hot Springs.
Secretary-Dr. d. G. Roberts, OF
, Nashville.
Treasurer-Dr. V. G.. Hit, of Georgia
The parade which was scheduled 10
this afternoon, and, later, arrange
. for tomorrow morning, was 1nall,
4 abandoned on account of the stead.
: rains Many Of the veterans left to
night.