Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1903-05-27
Great Crowds of Old COnfedrateS in
New Orleans
TIE CITY FILLING WITR VISITORS
Decorations The nost Elaborate and
Beautiful Ever Seen al a Reunion
Gathering of the Mu,titudc.

New Orleans. Special.-The thir-
teenth annual reunion of the United
Confederate Veterans was opened IN
the great auditorium at the fair
grounds Tuesday at noon.
The weather was perfect and all the
arrangements by the local entertain
ment committees the most successful.
Governor Heard spoke in behalf of
the people of the State as follows:
Veterans. the outcome of the strug
gle that you carried on for four long
years against the most powerful forces
and armaments that the world has vet
seen, III no manner or sense can OBJ
scure the glory and fame that YOU won
Tor DiNic'S land. With n total enlist
ment of 600 900 you confronted $500. -
OOG. or these in round numbers soc OJO
were or foreign birth and had EuroDe
been In formal alliance with the North
1T could scarcely have been expected 10
send more than this number of its Or
SaniZed soldiery for its quota in such
n coalition. Considering the 200 900 ne
gro soldiers. the 100000 foreign sol
dieTs and the 100000 native Amori-
cans. 1t is net eXtravagant TO say that
the 100000 Confcderatcs confronted a
ca.
when We consider these indispuf-
abie facts we cannot but nave commits
soration for the person who would
seek TO detract from the unparaliellod
resistance made by the armies in gray
by impugning the motives by which
they were impelled to make this truIv'
legendary defense CT their homes ami
constitutional rights rs they construed
these rights to be-
The governor concluded his address
by repeating the welcome of the peo-
pie Of Louisiana.
e. b. Kruttschnitt, of New Orleans
chairman OF the local executive com
mittoe. in charge Of all the arrange
monts for the reunion then made n
most happy address.
GEN. GORDON'S SPEECH.
As Gen. Gordon rose to reply he was
enthusiastically cheered.
Gen. John B. Gordon said In part:
TO my thought it is most fitting
that this proud and patriotic organiza.
tion should meet again in this historic
city which gave it birth. The meeting
OF such men as you welcome todav.
whose past deeds will remain forever
TO future sacrifices for constitutional
freedom. Is an auspicous event in the
country's history, whenever and wher
ever IL may occur: but how peculiarly
inspiring is this reunion in Louisiana
on this Tooth anniversary OF her birth
1nto governmental alliance with Amer
lcan States. a Roman We would have
discovered in meeting of such men
at such time, an omen OF good to the
cause of liberty; and American eyes
should see in ii nothing but good to
the whole republic. 1t must of neces
sity he beneficcnt and only benefcsut.
we will not indulge on this centennial
this political millenial morning-nor
NJ other til aS in any bitterness. We
1eei none We pity those who do w.
nave lCng S.Nce drawn the curtain of
oblivion Over he regretful and nm
seemly things e the past; and we
cherish as Americans the valor and
noble deeds of both armies and of all
sections. We are satisfied with orr
record; and the power that would at
tempt to make us blush for it would be
both stupid and blind We are heirs
Joint heirs, with the republics child
rem in the Inheritance OF freedom left
oy our sires We are proud OF all the
past. Moreover, we are now facino a
future pregnant with tremendous nos
sibillties; but we face it with =
strength OF hope and assurance. borr
OF an unswerving purpose to dischary.
our every duty to all races. and to the
"hole country. We are growing Old: