The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-04-29

Dallas, Texas, April 23.-The confed-
crate veterans assembled in reunion
here today and transacted important
business with a rush. Generals Gordon,
Lee and Cabell We're reelected and
General c. I. Walker elected to sue
coed the late General Wade Hampton
as commander of the Army of northern
Virginia. New Orleans was selected as
the place for the next reunion.
General Gordon was given no chance
10 retire. a voice from the back of the
hall cried: The only way you can get
away form the office, general, is by dy-
ing"
The elections were unanimous by a
standing vote. Glowing tributes were
paid to the officers and half the audi
ence was in tears when the meeting ad-
journed.
Long before the meeting opened the
camp grounds began TO fill up and by
II o'clock the largest crowd of the re-
union was present. The bureau of in
formation gave out d statement saying
that lodging for 140.O 0O people nae been
prepared. The estimated numbe of vet
Grams present was IL, 600.
General Gordon called the convention
to order at 1915 o'clock and memorial
services for the late General Wade
Hampton began. Chaplain General
Jones delivered the invocation anG Gen
eral Lee followed with an eulogy of the
lamented southern warrior and states
man From General HaT7nfOn the
speaker had received commission as a
lieutenant, a lieutenant colonel and col
onel of artillery. His associations with
the famous soldier had been intimate
and there were tears iii his eyes as he
spoke of Hampton's recent death.
General Gordon spoke briefly of the
dead soldier. With his DEATH" said the
general, " a great light went out. No
did | say the light went out. The light
of such a life can never go out, but will
burn forever, a light to guide our foot
steps to the highest pinnacle of glory
Nearer, My God To Thee" was Their
sung by the audience. following which
eulOgistic resolutions for Genera
Hampton were adopted. 'Old Tige'
Cabell vas called for and added hi:
tribute while his eyes were filed witt
tears.
Private John Allen, of Mississippi
who was to have been the orator of thu
a yesterday, was next introduced. H
said he could not be an orator withou
a windmill, and that his windmill hat
blown down and he Lad stayed at home
to fix it. Then for ar hour the witty
Mississipian KEEP his hearers in a higf
state of enjoyment With anecdote aftel
anecdote. He was nearly exhausteC
when he concluded. but the cries o
Allen were so strenuous that he wa
compelled to return and say d few NOR
words.
In concluding his speech, Mr.. ALLIE
said: 1T was not the flash of the gen
erals sword that struck terror to tn
- Yankees heart. 1t was the rebel We
and the crack of The privates' rifles
They were the men who kept the Yam
KEGS off the generals while they slept
They fought not for conquest, nor TO
ambition, but for principles and senti
ment, backed by the b~ravest, truest VIC
men that ever lived. God bless on
country from sea to sea-
General Gordon then announced tina
the hour had come for the memoria
services for the confederate dead II
mentioned especially the name G
Winnie Davis, the Daughter of tn
Confederacy."
Chaplain General j. William Jone
was announced as the speaker.
General stephen d. Lee delivered
stirring appeal for the decoration {
soldiers graves by the gov
eminent.
Chairman j. Taylor Stratton. of tn
resolution committee, reported. Anon
the resolutions adopted vas one with
drawing the support OF all confederat