The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-20
Tn, Southland's "Grand Old Man"
Their Wives and Daughters.
SCENES AT NEW ORLEANS
AT THE OPENING OF THE THIR-
TI.ENTIs ANNUAL REUNION.
Gen. Gordon, Who Is I'm Poor Health,
Kissed and Lauded-A Patriotic
Spccch-Mrs. Stonewall jackson.

NEW ORLEANS, May 1e.-To-day at
noon the thirteenth annual reunion of the
United Confederate Veterans was opened In
the great auditorium at the fair grounds
There were thousands Of veteran soldiers,
hundreds Of beautiful women and above and
around on every hand a profusion OF fiut-
tering flags and waving streamers. There
was martial music without limit and en-
thusiasm unbounded. Over the beauty and
success OF the day there was but a single
shadow and that promises to disappear be-
fore the morning. This was the illness of
Gen. John S. Gordon, the commander in
chief of the organization. He was not well
when he left his hotel for the auditorium
and had not been in his usual health for
several days. Nothing but his grim fight
fng spirit carried him through the day
without something akin to collapse He
was not able to attend the afternoon ses-
sion at the auditorium and remained quietly
in his room at the hotel, receiving no visit
ors. His condition Is in no manner serious.
When the hour for opening the conven-
ton arrived the platform was crowded with
fair women and men whose names are
household words throughout the South.
General Gordons entrance into the hall was
an ovation. 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 friends as he reached the
rostrum and for time was unable TO
reach his chair. No sooner was he seated
than fair young woman-Miss Tartleton.
of Waco. Tex.-approached and bending
down kissed the general. He sprang quick
| ly to his feet to acknowledge the honor
with repeated bows.
After the opening exercises and the well
coming speeches, Z. B. Kruttschnitt, Of
New Orleans, chairman Of the local ex-
| ecutive committee, in charge of all the ar
| through General Gordon. their COM
mander-in-chief. the Auditorium. which
| had been constructed for their use.
AS General Gordon rose to reply he was
| enthusiastically cheered He said in part,
| after abiding to the centennial of Louis
| lana: I'VE will not indulge on this cen
| tennial-this political millennium 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 regretful and unseemly things of
| the past and we cherish as Americans the
| valor and noble deeds of both armies and
| of all sections. We are satisfied with our
record; that the power that would attempt
| to make us blush for IL would be both
stupid and blind We are heirs, joint heirs,
| with the Republics children in the inherit
ance 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 borne Of
| an answering purpose to discharge our
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 calmly drop
| our mantles on the shoulders of our sons,
| who will worthily bear them; and In no
| crisis of the Republic. whether in forum or
| field, will they be found wanting"
1 AT the conclusion of General Gordons adj
| Mrs. Stonewall Jackson, and said: 1T was
/ my fortune and l will never cease to thank
| God that it was my fortune. to follow. to
| He Is not here, but the best half of him is
| here in the person of his wife. Comrades
| present to you Mrs. Stonewall Jackson"
In the wild cheers that swept the hall the
fair-faced lady from Virginia was made to
| know once more how Southern love remem-
| bers.
"And here's young Jackson" called out
girl, Miss Julia Jackson Christian, the
| granddaughter Of soldier. He kissed her
| and the cheers were redoubled for the gen.
! eral and the girl.
Hon. j. H. Regain the sole surviving mem.
| Der of the Davis Cabinet, then spoke from
| one portion of the rostrum, and an ad-
| journment was taken until the afternoon
After the speech the mobbing Of General
| Gordon was resumed with redoubled energy
| One old soldier, intoxicated by his enthu.
siasm, and few incidentals, sank on his
knees before the general, and would have
| Rugged him had not the bystanders inter
| fered.
An Grafton of Judge Rogers consumed the
| entire afternoon session.
The feature of the evening was the ball
given by the Washington Artillery at their
| armory.