The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1903-05-21

dENEhAL JOdN H. G0hhDNs
J. b. Leyert commanding the Louisi-
ana division, called the convention to
order there was not a vacant seat In
the hall, which easily holds 10000 peo-
Pile
Rev. J. William Jones, chaplain gen.
eral of United Confederate Veterans,
invoked the divine blessing and the
Hon r. b. Kruttschnitt Of New Or
leans, chairman Of the local executive
committee under whose direction the
auditorium was erected, spoke words
of welcome TO the delegates and their
friends and concluded his address by
rendering to the old soldiers the audi
forum erected for their especial use.
Enthusiastic welcome to Gordon.
AS commander in chief Of the vet
Grams it was the province Of General
John b. Gordon to reply, and as his
soldierly form and battle SCARED yis-
age came to the front of the rosuum
the delegates rose en- masse and gave
| him cheer after cheer. The general re-
peatediy bowed his acknowledgements
Of the loyal and affeetionate greeting
and when the tumult had subsidized he
replied as follows;
/ TO my thought it is most fitting that
/ this proud and patriotic organization
/ should again meet in this historic city
, which gave Il birth. The meeting Of such
I men as you welcome today, whose past
deeds will remain forever an inspiration
TO American valor and to future saert-
I fees for constitutional freedom, Is an
1 suspicious event in the country's history
! whenever and wherever il may occur, but
/ how peculiarly inspiring is this reunion in
/ Louisiana on this one hundredth anniyer-
! sary Of her new birth into governmental
alliance with American states
/ Roman eve would have discovered IN
a meeting Of such men at such time an
omen Of good TO the cause Of liberty. and
/ American eyes should see In il nothing
/ but good to the whole republic. II must
/ of necessity be beneficent and only be-
neheent. we win not indulge on this CEN
| tennial. this political millennial morning
i nor at other times In any bitterness. We
I feel none We pity those who do, We
have long since drawn the curtain Of OBJ
livion over the regretful and unseemly
things of the past and we cherish az
Americans The valor and noble deeds OF
both armies and of all sections. We are
1 satisfied with our record, and the power
! that would attempt to make US blush Iol
1t would be both stupid and blind.
we are heirs, joint heirs. with the re.
! pnblics children in the inheritance q
i freedom left by our sires We are proud
of all the past Moreover we are now
facing a future pregnant with tremen.
dous possibilities, but we face it with
strength Of hope and assurance borne o.
an unswerving purpose to discharge oul
eyers. duty To all races and to the whole
country. We are growing old, but VA
stil stand firmly on the narrow strip 81
land which separates us from boundlesi
ocean.
And as we go hence we viii calmly
drop our NANTES on the shoulders of oul
sons. who will worthiiy wear them, ans
in no crisis Of the republic, whether Il
forum or field, will they be found want
ing.
AT the conclusion Of his address Gen
eral Gordon assumed the gavel and In
troduced Governor w. w. Heard o.
Louisiana, who, in behalf Of the state
extended formal welcome TO the dele
gates and their friends. While thu
veterans were assembling at the fai
grounds the convention Of the Sons D
Veterans was called to order in thu
Crescent theater by j. d. Nix, com
mander of Camp Beauregard.
Memorial services in honor Of Jeffer
son Davis were held in Christ church