The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-20

as Americans the Yalor and noble deeds of both armies, and of all sections. We are satisfied with our own record; and the power that would attempt to make us blush for 1t would be both stupid and blind We are heirs joint heirs, with the republics children in the inheritance of freedom left by our sires We are proud of all the past Moreover. we are now facing a future pregnant with tre- mendous possibilities; but we face it with a strength of hope and assurance. born of an answering purpose to discharge our every duty to all races, and to the whole country. We are growing old but we still stand firmly on the narrow strip of land which separates us from a bound less ocean.
 And as we go hence, we will calmly drop our mantles on the shoulders of our sons, who will worthily wear them, and in no crisis of the republic wheth- CT in forum or field, will they be found wanting
 And now, my comrades. close by calling upon you. in recognition of this magnificent welcome, to give three rousiny cheers to New Orleans and Louisiana"
 At the conclusion of General Gordons address he turned to greet a lady gowned in black, who had come to the front of the rostrum during the latter portion of his address. Then leading her to the front of the platform, he said:
 "It was my fortune, and I will never cease to thank God that 1; was my for tune, to follow, to know well, and to love stonewal Jackson. He is not here but the best half of him Is here in the person of his wife. Comrades l present to you Mrs. Stonewall Jackson"
 "To your feet boys to your feet! was the cry of a veteran in the Tennes- see delegation. But swift as came his cry, 1t came too late. The "boys" were up, every man of them. and in the wild cheers that swept the hall. the fair-faced l lady from Virginia was made to know once more how southern love remembers.
 And here's young Jackson" called out the general, leading forward a very pretty girl, Miss Julia Jackson Christian, 1 the granddaughter of the famous soldier As he spoke, he kissed her and the cheers were redoubled for the general and the girl
 The Hon. John H. Reagan, the sole surviving member of the Davis, cabinet then spoke from one portion of the ros- trum while numbers of the old soldiers threw themselves upon General Gordon at the other end. The reception was smoth- ering MT Reagan's voice and General Gordon at the same time when Gen. S. D. Lee interfered with the gavel beseech- ing the crowd to be silent and to allow l General Gordon to rest.
 General Gordon "Mobbed."
 MT. Reagan spoke but briefly after this | and an adjournment was t1ka1 until aft ernoon. Immediately the m 3bblng Of Gen | eral Gordon was resumed with re6oubled energy. One old soldier, intoxicated by his enthusiasm and a few lncidentals sank on his knees before the general and would have hugged him, hal not the by islanders interfered
 l The oration of Judge Rogsrs consumed the entire afternoon session His ad- dress, which was remarkably well dcliv- cred was brilliant success He spoke in part as follows:
 Judge Rogers Speech.
 "Why are we here? No fanatical re- ligious crusade prompted this immense concourse. Here are to be found all creeds and faiths and beliefs in perfect peace with each other, freed from an- tagonisms to excite the passions of men. In wonder sky are no angry clouds of 1 pestilence or war. No impending danger l threatens our land demanding consulta- ton and means of protection from enemies within and without. We are at peace at l home and abroad. Neither are we weary pilgrims to holy Mecca seeking absolu- ton of our sins. Nor are we aspirants l AOA SoNldi OA pOHllCdl 1nlS IS no vast political convention or mass meet ing, assembled for purposes of consider ing grave matters of state or seeking to confer honors on favorlte sons Nay, nay: none of these What Is 1t that has l brought us together? This great assem- bly, hall. festooned with bunting and flags. emblems of liberty and power its amphi- theatre filled with the brave manhood and lovely womanhood of the south; xyon naF f1a tremendous conflict of the sixties - all these things tell of a deep underlying cause. This great sea of upturned faces, glowing with life. intelligence and sym pathy-if not with Joy unmingled with sorrow-proclam that the purpose of our assembling has made a deep impression upon our hearts. We need not repress the emotions by which we are agitated. Whenever and wherever these reunions occur we are standing amid the sepul- chers of our dead.
 Members Diminishing.
 Every foot of our beloved southland is distinguished by their courage, their sub lime fortitude, their self-deniaI, their un- wavering devotion and patriotism, and sanctified by the shedding of their blood. Time and nature have had their course in diminishing the numbers of those who surrendered at the close of the great l civil war but neither time nor nature can relieve those who survive the duties they owe to the memory of our unrecord- ed dead to our posterity, to our beloved southland and to ourselves. We are here i today to discharge as we may, those duties, and to renew old friendships i forged in the white heat of common suf- l ferings and hallowed and sanctifed by the conscious conviction that in the hour of trial and peril, we were true to the constitution as 1t was framed and handed down to us by Washington and his com patriots. We are here also to pay tribute to the noble band of southern women, the mothers and daughters of the Confeder- acy .
 "If we would not have our very chil- dren in the near future, If not ashamed and apologizing for us, then unable to defend us. we must not be idle in pre- serving, recording and teaching the real facts upon which the righteousness of our ions must depend
 Their Names Are Cherished.
 "Who would have them forget the Lees, the Johnstons. the Jacksons and the Hills? Who would have them forget