The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-06-04
THE HOME OPENED AT LAST.
THE OCCASION MARKED WITH
MUCH ENTHUSIASM.

Addresses Delivered by President
Calhoun, Gov. Gambler, Hon. Clark
Howell, Mayor Minis, Hon. w. T.
smith. Gen. Evans, w. f. jenkins
and II. Vi. BIackburn-All the
Speakers Stressed the Idea That
the Home WAS Not n Paupers' Re-
treat, but n Place Which IL Was
the Duty of, rs Well rs Honor to,
the state to Maintain.
Atlanta. June 3.-"Tnis is the proudeSt
day of my life" said President w. L.
Calhoun, at the conclusion Of the exer-
cises at the Confederate Soldiers Home
to-day, as he formally announced that
the homes doors were opened for the
veterans who wore the gray. Hundreds
of people we're gathered at the home to
witness the ceremonies, in spite of the
threat ening weather. Twenty-four Of the
dorty-four veterans, who have been posi-
lively admitted, were on hand, and fee
bic as many of them were they entered
into the spirit of the occasion, joining in
the universal shout when the band played
Dixie"
Al Il o'clock the exercises were begun
with prayer by Rev. A. r. Holderby'
chaplain of the home. In conclusion he
prayed that the declining years of the
heroes. who were to find shelter and rest
therein. would be filled with peace and
quiet, and prove the sweetest Of their
existence.
Following DR.. Holderbys prayer. the
bank struck up Dixie" and lusty cheer
ing ensued Judge Lowndes Calhoun,
president Of the Board of Trustees, then
went briefly over the history of the home,
beginning with an excerpt from Grady's
famous editorial. which started the move
for its erection and describing the long,
long struggle which the trustees of the
institution had with the Legislature be-
fore the building was accepted by the
state. During the course of Judge Cal
houns remarks, Mrs. Grady, Henry Ora
dy's mother, and her granddaughter, Mrs.
E. r. Black appeared upon the porch
and were vigorously cheered by the
crowd
In conclusion, Judge Calhoun urged the
old soldiers who were to take up their
abode in the home not TO feel that they
had come to a poor house, or a retreat
for paupers.
you sirs," he said, "have paid for this
home with coin more precious than gold
or Jewels
Gov. Gambler, Hon. Clark Howell, Mai.
Livingston Minis, Hon. w. T. Smith. Gen.
c. A Evans, Hon. w. F. Jenkins and B.
NJ. Blackburn followed in the order
named: Each speaker was limited to ten
minutes and each speech was largely as
surances to the veterans that the home
which to-day opened to them by Georgia
was not an eleemosynary institution All
insisted that its maintenance was not
only the highest duty which Georgia ever
owed, but the most glorious privilege
which the state ever expected to enjoy.
At the conclusion of the exercises. the
visitors inspected the home, while the
aged veterans and the trustees with them
sat down TO an excellent dinner prepared
for them by the matron, Mrs. ]. P.
Thomas
The other veterans are expected to ar
rive tomorrow and next day, and by the
end of the month there will be from sixty
TO sevensy-five inmates in the home.
The opening Of the home was follow ed
by the celebration of Jefferson Davis
birthday az the Capitol this afternoon.
The address was delivered by Hon. Al
bert II. Cox Of Atlanta
Crosses of honor were delivered at the
conclusion of the exercises.