St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1901-03-09
THE MEMPHIS REUNION

THE MEMPHIS REUNION
ruPrLe, Misa. Feb. I. 1901.
To the Survivors Of the Armies q G. 8. A.:
Comrsdes-The next annual reunion
Of the survivors of the armies Of the
Confederacy occurs at Memphis. Tenn.
on the oSth, Goth and 30th of May next
It is believed that this will prove 10 DO
the most interesting event that has yet
occurred in the history of reunions
A recent visit to Memphis gave me
tho opportunity Of mingling and talk
ing with many of the leading citizens
Of that city. and it affords me the
greatest pleasure to be able to state
that heard nothing save expressions
of earnest desire that this should prove
to be the largest gathering of old SOL
diers and their descendants that has yet
been witnessed on either side of Mason
and Dixon's line. Plans are already
decided upon, the essential committees
are already at work, preparations arc
already begun, and the entire popula-
tion is alive with enthusiasm in the
eager desire to show what the home OF
the great cavalry leader Of the Confed-
eracy can do to honor the heroes who
survive the terrible conflict in which he
and they fought for what they knew
was the right.
It is the intention of the people OF
Memphis to make this grand reunion
memorable in every particular that
gives to such an occasion the pleasing
features which interest those who at
tend. The muni6cent sum of $50, 600 is
being raised by voluntary subscription
and this sum is to be expended under
the direction Of committee of gentle
men who will get the most out OF 1t
that can be gotten. The business men
OF the city are vieing with each other
in contributing-some of their contri-
buttons reaching 81 800 from . single
individual. All of them seem imbued
with the idea that the honor OF the city
is at stake and readily respond in pro-
portion to their means. In some in-
stances individual contributions are 20
liberal that the chairman of the finance
committee, Col. A. B. Pickett, has
thought them excessive, and suggested
the giving of q sum less than was pro-
posed. l refer to this fact in order to
show how thoroughly aroused the COM
munity is in its desire to maintain the
character of the city for hospitality
and devotion to the grand cause in
which its people bore so conspicuous
part. No city has yet expended so
large . sum on q reunion of Confederate
veterans. Memphis will easily raise
the desired $50, 900, and should not be
surprised if, in their zeal and patriotic
fervor, its noble and generous people
should contribute many thousand more.
All arrangements will be upon a scale
commensurate with the importance Of
the city in point of population, busi-
ness, accessibility and general facilities
for the accommodation and entertain
ment of great crowds of visitors. Its
geographical location and the great
number of avenues Of travel by which
it may be easily reached, together with
its local means of taking care of them,
make Of it an ideal rendezvous for the
aged and decrepit old rebels who want
to meet their lingering comrades once
moro before the last tattoo beats.
Eleven trunk lines of railway concen-
trate there. aud with the majestic Mis-
sissippi. with its grand aotilla of pala-
tial steamers, constitute q system of
nent. Memphis may be said to be the
hub Of the Confederacy. It is nearly
equi-distant from the Atlantic shore
and the Rio Grande, and from the Gulf
Of Mexico and the Ohio river. Its rail-
roads diverge in every direction and
their schedules are SO timed rs to con-
vey their passengers to the city in less
than twenty-four hours from the re-
motest point of any Southern State.
The railroads will agree upon rates in
given. It is thought that they will all
act with hberality in this cause and put
their rates SO low as to place it within
the means OF all who desire to attend
to do so without Inconvenience.
Much has been said and written
about the heartlessness and greed of
great corporations; but it can be truth
fully said of the Southern railroads
that they have always been liberal in
their dealings with the veterans of the
faln
instance in which any road has refused
TO enter into IN agreement to make sat
isfactory rates to points of reunions,
and l am gratified to say that all indi-
cations point to very low rate to Mem
phis for this occasion. It is believed
that it will not exceed one cent per
mile. This will place it within the
reach Of all to attend who desire to
do so.
The reunion at Memphis will be
unique in many Of its features. Many
modes of entertainment will be devised
by the citizens of the city to make the
stay of all who attend enjoyable and
Rates Of board will be
moderate and places of accommodation
will be ample. Eating houses will be
open for the occasion where wholesome
fare can be obtained 1t cheap rates.
Lodgings will be provided and every
thing done to minister to the comfort
Of all. The arrangements generally
will be upon q grand scale. It is be-
iieved that. on account of its central
location and because OF it being dis
a Southern city the number
will far exceed the attend
ance at any former reunion. But. no
matter how great the crowd present,
ample provision will be made for all.
This is the opening year of . new
century. The great events in which
you bore part transpired nearly = half
ago. You were then in the
prime Of manhood, yet, exposed to the
dangers that you faced. you could not
then have expected to be
upon the stage of action when the CEN
tury that witnessed your heroic deeds