The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-04-23
REUNION IN
 FULL SWING Thousands ThrOng the Streets of Dallas. GORDON WILDLY CHEERED Veterans Give Ovation to Their Commander. Some of the old Soldiers Show Their warlike Spirits and Battle for
 a Place at the Mesa
GORDON WILDLY CHEERED

Dallas Tex. April 22-With the Con- federate reunion officially twelve hours old and unofiicially considerably older. it is estimated tonight that there are l25,Do visitors in Dallas. From morning till late at night the streets were thronged and 1t is said by men in position to base close calculations that there were 70 om visitors at the camp in the Fair grounds alone.
 The crowd is too large to command, uaid Colonel Slaughter to an Associated Press representative today. Thousands who have no right to do so, are sleeping at the camp and eating at the mess ta- bIc. Some of the old veterans had to fight for their places but they seemed to be as capable of tussle as they were years ago We will have affairs better in hand tomorrow.
 An additional influx of visitors is ex- pected tomorrow, the attraction being the Kaliphs parade.
 Tonight the younger element and many of the veterans rounded out the days pleasures with a ball at the camp. The function yas given by the Sons of Vete- rans and an immense crowd--too great for comfort-was present.
 The Reunion Begins.
 With the music of many bands and cheers from thousands of throats, the twelfth annual reunion Of the United Confedei ate Veterans began today at the Auditorium at the Fair grounds, now called Camp Albert Sydney Johnston,
 The Veterans of many an heroic cam paign were made thrice welcome by speakers representing the State. the city and various organizations or veterans Their deeds for the cause that was los' but lives eternal" were touched upon III words of cloquence and in voices now ringing over some martial decd, now sofe with toar-laden memories of comrades fallen.
 The crush of visitors was the largest in the history of Dallas. It was estimated in the morning that 75,000 visitors were In the city while information from the railroads was tbat by night this number would be swcllcd to 1250o0 at least.
 While thousands of visitors did not leave the business section of the city Camp Johnston, two miles distant, was crowded to the limit. Delegation after delegation from the four corners of the country reported and were assigned to their di ,ision in the vast city of tents
 
 pponed at 10 o'clock. An army of cooks and walters worked like beavers. while Inc veterans, with hunger born of q night in the open, did their best in ar able manner to keep the cooks busy, Tea ronec and milk by the barrels beans meat, hard tack and accessories by tho wagon loads disap ppeared in marvellous fashion The boys is eaten as if they ( been separated from the wagon train foI nhout three days is the way one Lou. isianisn put it.
 Veterans Were Happy
 When the convention opened, the Nete raus were in high good humor. Th' building. seating $500 people was hllet to tho utmost when the convention wa; raed to order by General R. M. Van Zandt President of the Texas Reunion Association From pillar and post huns bunting and flags and pictures of old Con icderate chicftains. Electric lights ir profusion gave perfect light and added materially to the ornamentation of tho interior. The crowds were composed moi alone of veterans but of their sons ana wives and daughters. Maids of honoi and sponsors. some-notably those from I.ouisiana--in brass buttSl5s and Confed crate gray, but the ajority in cool white lent an alr of animation to the scene. Nc applause was more enthusiastic thar theirs and no sympathy more apparent as they were familiar with the heroic suffcrings of the old men they had com, to honor.
 Governor Sayers's Speech.
 Following tho opening of the meeting by General Van Zandt the Rev. J. Will liam Jones Chaplain General delivered touching invocation. Governor Joscpl D. Sayers. on behalf of the State O Texas, then welcomed the visitors to tn State Governor Savers said in part; To-day this mighty gathering after s' many years from every part of tn Southland, attests with convincing em phasis. the enduring affection for thu Veterans among the living. Of our dead it may in all truth be said:
 'IIow sleep the brave who sink to rest By all their country's wishes blest.
 When spring. with dewy fingers cold Returns tD deck their hallowed mold She there shall dress a sweeter sod Than fancy's feet have ever trod
 By fairy hands their knell is runs,
 By forms unseen their dirge is sung; There honor comes d pilgrim gray
 To bless the turf that wraps their clay And freedom shall awhile repair
 To dwell weeping hermit there.
 The Reunited Country.
 But magnificent beyond all descrip ton, as was the exhibition of American genius courage and steadfastnes to dut in this great conflict of arms, the recol ciIiation that has taken place between tn States. that had warred SO firecely an so long will give to history d them with which to adorn it's brightest an faircst pages To it's accomplishment, is gratifying Co recall the eX-President q tho Confederacy in no small degree, l one of his latest public utterancc to in ncorle of the South hc said:
 Men in whose hands the destiny C o,,r S,uthland lies, for luVc of her Lre,k my silence ard speak now i"' uordy oG respectful admontlnu Th p.st IS dead let II hurN its dead Mt i,s hopes and aspirations Let me he s.sob you to lav 9sids all rAnc"r ." hitter sectional foelinE and tAAe you -. IF, the ranks of tn lse who will brin