The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1902-05-01


The grounds had been converted into
a camp named after Albert sydney
Johnston, the dashng leader who tcll
at Shiloh, and the tents were crowded
to The limit on the first day.
The great mess shed, seating $4,000
was opened at 10 O'Clock. An army
of cooks and walters worked like
beavers, while the veterans, with
hunger born of night In the open
did their best in an able manner Il
keep the cooks busy. Tea, collie
and milk by the barrels; beans, meat
hard tack and accessories by the waGo
load disappeared III marvellous fashion
"Thc boys is eatin' as If they'd beer
separated from the wagon tram 10
about three days,' is the way oh'
Louislanian put it. u !,
The convention was compelled ''
open with General Gordou' inc t"lli'
mander in chief, absent. GehcI,'' ''o',
don, accompanied by Chaplain "e''cr'i
Jones. was delayed. ,,
Among those on the stage were 'u"Se
John II. Reagan, the only SURVIVING
mcmbcr of the Davis cabinet; W. j."
CabeH: General Stephen ID. Lee, Il
cousin of Il. f.. Lee; Governor Heard, d,
of Louisiana: Mayor Capdcriclle, OF
New Orleans; Colonel Lee Crandall,
who was on Stoncwall' Jackson s
staff; Miss I.ucy Lee llill, Of Chicago,
the sponsor in chief of the |. 1. Y.
and Miss Virginia Paddock, OF Fort
Worth, Texas, the chief maid OF horror.
Louisville and New Orleans are both
candidates for the next reunion. AS
Louisville had the reunion two years
ago il is expected that the honor VIII
90 to New Orleans.
When the convention opened, the
veterans, many Of them comparing the
bounteous plenty OF their breakfasts
with The starvation they were often
called upon to endure during the war,
were in high good hum"r. The build
ing, seating $ 500 people, was Tiled to
the topmost row soon after the con-
vcntion was called to order by General
X. NJ. NanHandt, president OF the
Texas reunion association. From
pillar and post hung bunting and Ilags
and pictures of old Confederate chief
talns. Electric lights in profuson
gave a perfect light ami added material
" to the ornamcntatinn of the interior.
The crowds were compoScd not alone
of veterans, hut of their sons and wives
and daughters. Maids OF honOr and
sponsors, somc-notably those from
I.ouislana--in brass buttons and Con-
fcderate gray, but the ma orlty in cool
whitc--lcnt an air OF ornancntati0n to
the scene. No applause was more en-
thusiaslic than theirs, and no sympathy
more apparent, as they were familiar
with the heroic Suitcrinys of the old
men they had come to honor.
Following the opening of the meet
ing by General NanHandt, Chaplain
Young, of Texas, delivered II touching
Invocation.
Governor Joseph u. Nayers, on be
half of Texas, then welcomed the
visitors to the State. Governor Sayc:s
said in part:
"Today tins mighty gathering, after
so many years, from every part of the
Southland, atlcsts with convincing en-
phasis the enduring affection for them
among the living. OF oul dead it may
in all truth be said
How sleep the brave who sink to
rest,
By all their cOuntry's wishes blcst
When spring, with dcwy fingers, cold,
returns To deck their hallowcd mould,
Shc there Shall dress Il swcctcr sod
ihan f"ncy's feet have ever trod.
by fairy hands their kncll is rung,
ny forms unseen their dirgc il sung;
Il 1 mere honor comes a pilgrim gray
10 Dlcss the turf that wraps their clay;
AL, mhu freedom shall awhile repair
10 d"cli weeping hermit there"
"Dht magnificent beyond all descrlp-
uoh as was the exhibition of Amcri-
can genus, courage and stcadfastncss
10 duty III this grcat conflict of arms.
'he Recommendation that has taken place
between the States, that had warred 80
hercciy and 50 long, will glvc to history
Theme with which to adorn it's
and iaircst pages. TO its ac-
'ompIIShmcnt it is gratifying to recall
ne cX-prcsidcnt of the Confcdcracy
contributed in no small degree. In
ohc OF his latest public uttcrances to
lhc people of the South he said:
"'Mcn in whose hands the destiny
u our Southland lies, for love of her
break my silence and speak now II
'e" words Of respectful admonition.
me past is dead. Let it bury its dead
WIN It's hopes and aspirations. Let
me bcsccch you to lay aside all rancor,
al Dltlcr sectional feeling and take
your place in the rank of those who
"'l olihS a consummation devOutly to
'' "'shca-a Reunited people,
ia welcoming the veterans on behalf
y, 'he confederate veterans of Texas,
iioh' Il. i. Gerald, Of Waco, paid a
!I'pu'c 10 the Confederate soldier, both
u" war and in peace condemned i'm.
Po''r''S'h ana opposed The admission of
Goiicneia'c veterans to homes for Tn.
loh so,alers, though he said he hon.
".eu ,' PRESIDENT Mckinley for his cx.
r'hss.ohs .h upon this sub jcct, adding that
-, nc thought he voiced the scn,imcn,
" W;. the south when he SAID that Me-
Mln.ey's n;y death was the grca,rsl cal
anl'ty .ms land has known since tho
death of L,ncoln.n '''''' 'he
mr. Gerald's welcome to ,hc vo,o
rams was i'm tho foIlo,: WV ''''-