Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-04-24
STIRRING SCENES AT DALLAS;
TEXAS CITY FILLED WITH VETS

roads was that by night this number
would be swelled to 125,OoO at least.
The great mess shed, seating 1900, was
opened at 10 clock An army of cooks
and walters worked like beavers, while
the veterans, with a hunger born of
night I'm the open, did their best in an
able manner TO keep the cooks busy. Tea,
coffee and milk by the barrels; beans.
meat, hard tack and accessories by the
wagon load disappeared in marvellous
fashion.
THE boys is eatin' as IL they'd been
separated from the wagon train for about
three days" is the way one Louisianian
put il.
The convention was compelled TO open
with General Gordon. the commander in
chief absent. General Gordon. accompa-
MED by Chaplain General Jones, was de-
layed.
Hon. John Allen the orator of the day.
did not appear when the convention be-
gan. Governor Savers and Hon. G. B.
Gerald. however, appeared at the last
moment and were vociferously cheered.
Among those on the stage were Judge
John II. Reagan, the only surviving MEM
Der OF the Davis cabinet; w. L. Ca
beI General Stephen d. Lee,
cousin OF r. r. Lee: Governor Heard,
OF Louisiana; Mayor Capdevielle, Of New
Orleans: Colonel Lee CrandRll. who was
on ''Stonewall' Jackson's stan; Miss
Lucy Lee Hill. of Chicago. the sponsor in
chief OF the L. c. V. and Miss Virginia
Paddock. OF Fort Worth. Texas. the chief
maid Of honor.
Flags Were Everywhere.
When the convention opened. the vete-
rams. many of them comparing the boun-
teous plenty of their breakfasts with the
starvation they were often called upon to
endure during the war. were in high good
humor. The building, seating $500 people,
was filled TO the topmost row soon after
the convention was called to order by
General X. NJ. Vanzandt. president of the
Texas reunion association. From pillar
and post hung bunting and flags and pic
lures OF old Confederate chieftains. Elec-
trio lights in profusion gave a perfect
light and added materially to the orna-
mentation of the interior. The crowds
were composed not alone of veterans, but
Of their sons and wives and daughters.
Maids OF honor and sponsors, some-no-
tably those from Louisiana-in brass but
tons and Confederate gray. but the ma
jority in cool wnite-lent an air Of orna-
mentation to the scene. No applause was
more enthusiastic than theirs, and no
sympathy more apparent, as they were
familiar with the heroic sufferings of the
old men they had come TO honor.
Following the opening OF the meeting
bv General vanzandt. Chaplain Young OF
Governor Savers Speech.
Governor Joseph ID. sayers. on behalf OF
the state OF Texas. then welcomed the
visitors to the state. Governor Sayers
said IN part:
To-day this mighty gathering. after so
many years, from every part of the south
land. attests with convincing emphasis the
enduring affection for them among the liv-
Ing OF cur deadsit may in all truth -he-
said: rI
" How sleep the brave who sink to rest,
BY all their ,country's wishes blest!
When spring, with dewy fingers, cold,
Returns to deck their hallowed mould,
She there shall dress a sweeter sod
Than faucy's feet have ever trod.
" BY fairy hands their knell is rung,
BY forms unseen their dirge is sung;
There honor comes pilgrim gray
To bless the turf that wraps their clay;
And freedom shall awhile repair
To dwell weeping hermit there
"But magnificent beyond all description
as was the exhibition Of American genius,
courage and steadfastness TO duty in this
great conflict Of arms, the reconciliation
that has taken place between the states,
that had warred so fiercely ard so long,
will give to history a theme with which to
adorn its brightest and fairest pages. To
its accomplishment It is gratifying to re-
call the ex-president Of the Confederacy
contributed IN no small degree. In one
of his latest public utterances to the peo-
pie Of the south he said:
Men I'm whose hands the destiny of
our south land lies, for love of her break
my silence and speak now few words of
respectful admonition. The past is dead.
Let IL bury its dead with it's hopes and
aspirations. Let me beseech you to lay
aside all rancor, all bitter sectional feel
ing and take your place in the rank of
those who will bring a contamination de-
voutly 10 be wished-a reunited people,"
CabeII Gives Welcome.
Mayer Ben E. Cabell. the next speaker,
welcomed the veterans TO Dallas as fol-
lows:
Hon. Commander and Members OF the
United Confederate Veterans Association: