Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1901-02-09
THE MEMPHIS REUNION
TuPELo, Miss, Feb. /, 1901.

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 are
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.
1t 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 munlfcent 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 it
that can be gotten. The business men
of the city are vieing with each other
in contributing some of their contri-
buttons reaching 81, 500 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 so
liberal that the chairman Of the finance
committee, Col. A. B. Pickett, has
thought them excessive, and suggested
the giving of a sum less than was pro-
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 a
part. No city has yet expended so
large sum on reunion Of Confederate
veterans. Memphis will easily raise
the desired 900, and | should not be
surprised ii, in their zeal and patriotic
fervor its noble and generous people
should contribute ---'.0"sduu ulore'
All arrangements will be upon 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 decrept old rebels who want
to meet their lingering comrades once
more before the last tattoo beats.
Eleven trunk lines OF railway concen-
trate there, and with the majestic Mis-.
sissippi, with its grand fotilla Of pala-
tial steamers, constitute a system Of
rapid transit not excelled on the conti-
nent. Memphis may be said to be the
hub of the Confederacy. 1t is nearly
equi-distant from the Atlantic shore
and the Rio Grande and fro n the Gulf
of Mexico and the Ohio river Its rail
roads dverge in every direction and
| their schedules are so timed as to con-
vey their passengers to the city in less
| than twentv-four hours from the re-
motest point of any Southern State.
The railroads will agree upon rates in
ample time, of which due notice will be
given. 1t is thought that they will all
act with liberality 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
Confederacy. l cannot now recall an
instance in which any road has refused
to enter into an agreement to make sat
isfactory rates to points Of reunions,
and l am gratifed to say that all indi-
cations point to very low rate to Mem
phis for this occasion. 1t 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
satisfactory. 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 at cheap rates.
Lodgings will be provided and every
thing done to minister to the comfort
of all. The arrangements generally
will be upon grand scale. 1t is be-
lieved that on account of its central
location and because of it being dis
tinctively Southern city the number
attending 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 a new
century. The great events in which
You bore part transpired nearly half
century ago. You were then in the
prime Of manhood, yet, exposed to the
dangers that you faced, you could not
reasonably then have expected to be
upon the stage of action when the CEN
tury that witnessed your heroic deeds
expired. As each year has been swept
into the shadowy past comrades who
stood shoulder to shoulder with you in
deadly conflict with the enemy, when
the battle was on, have met the grim
reaper and yielded up their proud
souls under his remorseless onslaught!
Beneath the smiles of a benignant
Providence you are yet spared and
stand today as living monuments to the
heroism and devotion of those who fell
by your side while earning glory for
the cause in which you and they wall
iantly fought They shared their glory
with you, and when they fell they be-
queathed into your keeping the need of
honor and renown which you and they
had won. 1t thus becomes solemn
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