Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-19
Ex-C onfederateL Leader Speaks
to Veterans.
REUNION OF THE GRAY
NEARLY 10000 ATTEND AT NEW
ORLEANS.
Patriotism and Loyalty Was the Tenor
Of the Noted Generals
Remarks.

NEW ORLEANS. May 19.-The thir-
teenth annual reunion OF the United Con-
federate Veterans opened at noon today
under most favorable auspices. The great
auditorium, erected In the center of the
race track Of the Enclosure at the fair
grounds, was filed with cheering, enthu-
siastic multitude long before the hour set
for the formal opening Of the exercises. and
when at noon Gen. J. B. Levert, command
ing the Louisiana division. called the con-
vention to order. there was not a vacant
seat in the hall, which easily holds 10000
people. 49,"
Rev. J. William Jones. chaplain general
of United Confederate Veterans. invoked
the Divine blessing. and Mr.. E. B. Krutt-
schnitt of New Orleans. chairman of the
rection 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 auditorium
erected for their especial use.
AS commander -in-chief Of the veterans 1t
was the province Of Gen. John B. Gordon
to reply-and as his soldierly form and bat
tle-scarred visage came to the front of the
rostrum the delegates rose en- masse and
gave him cheer after cheer. The general re-
peatedly bowed his acknowledgements of the
loyal and affectionate greeting, and when
the tumult had subsidized he replied as fol-
lows:
Gen. Gordon's Remarks.
ITO my thought it is most fitting that this
proud and patriotic organization should
again meet in this historic city which gave
it birth. The meeting of such men as you
welcome today, whose past deeds will re-
main forever an Inspiration to American
valor and to future sacrifices for constitu-
tional freedom, is an suspicious event in
the countrys history. whenever and wher-
h,Yf hnr RI In
spring is this reunion in Louisiana, on this
Tooth anniversary of her new birth into
governmental alliance with American
states.
a meeting of such men, at such time. an
omen of good to the cause of liberty; and
American eyes should see in it nothing but
good to the whole republic. 1t must of ne
cessity be beneficent and only beneticent
We will not indulge on this centennial-this
political millennial morning-nor at other
times. in any bitterness. We feel none. We
pity those who do. We have long since
drawn the curtain of oblivion over the re-
gretful and unseemly things of the past
and we cherish as Americans the valor and
noble deeds of both armies and Of all sec
lions.
One Republic Now.
1--WE are SATISFIED with our record: and the
power that would attempt to make US
blush for it. would be both stupid and
blind We are heirs, joint heirs. with the
republics children in the Inheritance of
freedom left by our sres. We are proud
of all the past. Moreover, we are now fac
Ing a future pregnant with tremendous pos
sbilities; but we face 1t with 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 boundless ocean.
And as we go hence we will ca Irnlv drop
our mantles on the shoulders Of our sons
who will worthily wear them: and In no
crises of the. republic, whether in forum
or field, will they be found wanting"
At the conclusion Of his address General
Gordon assumed the gavel and Introduced
Gov w. ". Heard OF Louisiana, who in be-
half of the state extended formal welcome
to the delegates and their friends.
While the veterans were assembling at the
fair grounds the convention of the Sons of
Veterans was called to order in the Crescent
Theater by J. D. Nix, commander of Camp
Beauregard. : .'--
Memorial services in honor of Jefferson
Davis were held in Christ Church at 10
a m.