The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-05-20
1--WE ARE BROTHERS ALL"
This is the Keynote of His Address
Which Breathes Throughout Spirit
Of Lofty PatriOtism----An Ovation
Frem the Boys" to Mrs. stonewall
Jackson.
(By the Associated Preas,)

(By the Associated Press.)
New Orleans, May 19.-The thirteenth
annual reunion of the United Confederate
Veterans was opened in the Great audito-
rum at the Fair Grounds today at noon.
The weather was perfect and all the
arrangements by the local entertainment
committee was successful. There We're
thousands of veteran soldiers, hundreds of
beautiful women and above and around
on every hand profusion of tiuttering
flags and waving streamers There was
martial music without limit and enthusi-
asm unbounded.
Over the beauty of the successful day
there was but a single shadow, and that
promises to disappear before the morning
This was the illness of General Gordon
the eommander-in-chief of the organiza-
ton. He was not well when he left his
hotel for the auditorium and has not been
in his usual health for several days. His
strength was not IN reality sufficient for
the ordeal to which he subjected himself
and before the close of the opening ses-
sion he was greatly wearied man. Moth
ing but his grim lighting spirit carried
him through the day without something
akin to collapse. He was not able to at
tend the afternoon session at the audito-
rum and remained quietly in this room at
the hotel, receiving no visitors. His eori-
dition is not serious, but it is possible
be will not be able to preside. He ex-
poets however, to be present tomorrow.
When the hour for opening the con-
vention arrived the platform was crowd
a6 rryafh favv,
are household words through out the
South. General Gordon was delayed
somewhat in reaching the grounds and
his entrance into the hall was an ova-
ton. Cheer after cheer rang through the
building as he came rapidly down the
aisle, leaning on the arm of Adjutant Gen
eral Mickle. He was surrounded instantly
by group of riends as he reached the
rostrum and for a time was unable to
reach his chair.
No sooner was he seated than a fair
young woman. Miss TarIton, of Waco
Texas, approached and bending down,
kissed the General He sprang quickly to
his feet to acknowledge the honor with
bows. General J. B. Levert, com
mander of the Louisiana division of the
Confederate Veterans, called the assem-
bly, to order and introduced the Chaplain
General Rev. ]. William Jones who de-
livered an eloquent invocation Then in
succession came speeches of welcome TO
the veterans from Paul Capdevielle, May
or of New Orleans; Loys Charbounet who
spoke for the local organization of the
Sons of Veterans; Mrs. William ]. Rehan.
the Confederate Southern
Memorial Association and Governor w. w.
Heard who spoke for the people of the
State OF Louisiana After few opening
words of welcome, the Governor said:
Veterans. the outcome of the struggle
that you carried on for four long years
against the most powerful forces and ar
that the world has yet seen. in
no manner or sense can obscure the glory
md fame that you won for Dixie's Land
With total enlistment of six hundred
thousand You confronted two millions,
light hundred thousand. Of these in round
numbers, five hundred thousands were
II foreign birth and had Europe been in
ormal alliance with the North. it could
carcely have been expected to send more
han this number of its organized sol
lery for its quota in such a coalition.
considering the two hundred thousand
egro soldiers. the five hundred thousand
oreign born soldiers, and the two millions.
ne hundred thousand native Americans it
; not extTavagant to say that the six
undred thousand Confederate confront
d a coalition of America, Europe and
Africa.
When we consider these indisputable
acts. we cannot but have commiseration
Of the person who would seek to detract
rom the unparalleled resistance made by
ne armies in gray, by impugning them
. motives by which they were impelled
, make this truly legendary defence of
heir homes and constitutional rights as
ley construed these rights to be found"
The Governor concluded his address BY
epeating the welcome of the people OF
ouisiana.
e. B. Kruttsehnitt, of New Orleans.
lairman of the local executive commit
,e IN charge of all the arrangements for
le reunion then made most happy ad-
,ess.
As General Gordon rose to reply he
as enthusiastically cheered. His address
as as follows:
ITO my thought it is most fitting that
Continued on page six.l