The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-05-19
Commander Of the Confederate Vet
Grams Speaks in Praise of
Both Armies.
Thirteenth Annual Reunion Of the
Southern Warriors Opened at
New Orleans To-day.
Attendance Was Large and the
Crowd Cheered General Gordon
Enthusiastically.

New Orleans, May 19.-The thirteenth
annual reunion Of the United States Con-
federate Veterans opened at noon under
most favorable auspices The great audi
torium erected in. the fair grounds was
filled witha cheering, enthusiastic multi
tude. and when at noon General j. 3.
Levert. commanding the Louisiana di-,
vision, called the convention to order,
there was not a vacant seat In the hall
which holds 10000 in addition to the
1000 delegates. Hundreds were unable TO
gain admission.
Rev. J. William Jones, chaplain general,
invoked the divine blessing, and F. s.
Kruttschnitt of New Orleans chairman OF
the local executive committee, spoke
words Of welcome and rendered to the old
soldiers the. auditorium erected for their
use.
AS the commander in chief it was the
province of General John B. Gordon to re-
ply-and as his solderly, battle-scarred
visage came to the front, the vast audi
ence rose en- masse and gave MIN cheer
after cheer. The general repeatedly
bowed his acknowledgements, and when
the tumult had subsidized, replied as fol-
lows:
..To my thought it is most fitting that
this proud and patriotic organization
should again meet in this historic city
which gave 1t birth. The meeting OF such
men as you welcome to-day whose past
to American valor and to future sacrifices
for constitutional freedom is an auspi-
cious event in the country's history.when-
ever and wherever it may occur; but how
peculiarly inspiring is this reunion in
Louisiana on this Tooth anniversary Of her
new birth into governmental alliance with
American states.
"a Roman eye 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 1t moth
ing but good to the whole republic. It
must of necessity be beneficent and only
beneficent We will not indulge on this
centennial-this political millennial morn
ing-uor at other times, in any bitterness.
,Wefeel none. We pity those who do.
Praises Both Armies.
.swe have long. since drawn the curtain
of oblivion over the regretfu and un-
seemly 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; and the
power that would attempt to make us
blush for 1t. would bessboth stupid and
blind. We are heirs joint heirs with the
republics children In the inheritance Of
freedom left by our sires We are proud
OF all the past. Moreover we are now
facing future pregnant with tremendous
possibilities; but we face 1t with a
nm answering purpose to discharge our
every duty to all races. and to the whole
country. We are growing DID, 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 nantes on the shoulders of our
sons, who will worthiy wear them; and
In no crisis Of the republic, whether In
forum or field, will they be found want
ing
General Gordon then introduced Govern
or w. w. Heard of Louisiana who In be-
half of the state extended a formal well
come.
While the veterans were assembling.
the convention of the Sons of Veterans
was called to order in the Crescent
theater by J. D. Nix, commander of Camp
Beauregard. After an invocation by
Chaplain General Bishop Gailor of Ten
nessee there were several addresses, of
welcome.
Memorial services in honor of Jefferson
Davis were held in Christ church.