The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-06-15
TenneSSee'S Ex-Governor Charmed Audience. TICKET SALES 5000 Lecturer Introduced to Great Crowd by MT. Heflin. Men and Women from All Over Ala bama Gathered in Auditorium to Hear Eloquence and Aid
 Institution at Noun |,
 tain Creek.

CT from Tennessee who came here to aid the Soldiers Home at Mountain Creek. Governor Bob" Taylor was introduced to the vast throng by Hon. J. Tom Hefiin. of Lafayette, who like the distinguished Tennesseean, charmed the great gather ing with his eloquence. humor and imag- cry.
 The brilliant introduction of the Ten nessee orator and his splendid play of fancy were not all that made the occa- sion memorable. an occasion that will not fade from the memory of those who were fortunate enough to be present. Captain Jefferson M. Falkner, the gener- ous citizen of Montgomery, who began the movement for the home at Mountain Creek, and who is carrying it forward to success. stood forward to voice his thanks for the special kindnesses that had been shown his comrades and to pay tribute to the noble and self-sacrificing girls and women of Montgomery who had done so much in the past few weeks to aid the Home.
 Captain Falkner was deeply moved and as he spoke a wave of enthusiasm swept over the audience and men and women rose to their feet cheering. Captain Falkner spoke of the subject nearest his heart, the relief of the destitute soldiers and the removal of his old comrades from the poor houses of the State, his voice broke and his hearers were greatly touch cd. The nobility of the cause was ire slstibly brought home to the great audi ence and 1t appealed to them most strongly.
 Audience of 4,OoO Persons.
 A conservative estimate of the throng that packed the auditorium was a little under 40O0. The auditorium seats $500 persons and 1t was filled to the doors and windows. Every seat down stairs was occupied and the walls were lined with the purchasers of tickets who were un- able to find seats. In the auditorium proper. additional seats had been pro- vlded to accommodate the crowd that was confidently looked for. Even with this arrangement the seating capacity was in- adequate. The same condition existed up stairs. More chairs had been arranged in the gallery to supplement the usual number but the crowd filled all the seats and overfowed to the walls.
 From the stage the speakers faced tier upon tier of faces that began at the stage and rose gradually to the remote walls in the rear.
 The crowd that assembled to hear the famous lecturer came from all parts of the State. Every incoming train brought
 
 ture. They came from the towns north, south. east and west of Montgomery and every section of the State from the Ten. nessee line to the Gulf was represented. The crowd was really a revelation to the people of Montgomery, so many strang- CTS were in the audience and SO many people of prominence from other cities of Alabama were there. The hotels of Mont gomery were last night filled with the citizens of other towns.
 The schedules on most of the railroads entering Montgomery were so convenient that special trains in most instances were unnecessary. A special train was, however run from Prattville and one from Wctumpka. On both trains large crowds came. A special train was put on by the officials of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad to accommodate the great crowds that came from the dircc- ton of Mobile on the evening train. This train did not leave the city until after the lecture. The evening train due to leave the city over the Seahoard Air Line at 6 o'clock was also held until after the crowd had left the Auditorium.
 At the Auditorium the crowd gathered early. There were on the stage with Hon. J. Tt m Heflin and Governor Taylor, Capt J. NJ Falkner, Judge John Purifoy, Commander of Camp Jeff Falkner; Judge Thomas G. Jones, Col. Harvey E. Jones, Hon, J. H. Fitts of Tuscaloosa and many other pro minent Confederate soldiers and well-known citizens of Alabama. Occu- pying prominent seats upon the stage were the young ladies who SO actively canvassed the State for the sale of tick cts to the lecture.
 Introduced by MT. Heflin.
 A burst of applause greeted MT. Hcfin, the young Alabama orator, when he step ped forward to introduce the gifted speak CT of Tennessee
 MT. Hefin was in fine form and the great audience was silent when his full, round voice filled the vast auditorium.
 Turning to Judge John Purifoy who acted as chairman, M=. Hefiin said:
 Mr. Chairman, Confederate Veterans, Ladies and Gentlemen: I realize beyond the power of human expression the honor you have done me. We are not here this evening for the sole purpose of paving d tribute of our love to the memory of those who died following the flag of the Confederacy: not here to weep for those who have crossed over the river, since the bugle sang truce at Appomattox While we hold in earnest reverence the memory of our gallant dead. and applaud the spirit that builds monuments to their splendid heroiSm and sublime valor, we praise that hand as most radiant and blessed which provides shelter for the liv- ing monuments of the bravest soldiery that ever tossed the fields of carnage or shed blood in the cause of right.
 The flag that you love so well lies folded away on d death-bed of glory. with the finger prints of valor still on its staff, yet the cause that Is represented. like. the diamond pure the mere light that is thrown upon it, brighter shin, $, and will continue to shine with undimmed d lustre till time shall fold her hodry wings and lay her sccptre Gown.
 Had l the poetic genius of John Mil ton, and desired to hand down to poster ity poem embodying the valor of a typical soldier, l would select aS my subject not one from tho Tanks ce the Man of Destiny, nor from the brave la- gion of the imperial Caesar. but [ would select as my subject one of tac war tested. uGdaunted privates from the ranks of the Confederate afmy whp fought in the pride of lofty principle All, hls waa a Valor without parallel l,yaltv :to duty. a devotion to p.ia, ip!e, that com mands the love anl admiration of the world.
 T would disregard the promptings of