The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-05-22
SAD SCENE
Touching Memorial Exercises in
Memory of Dead COmrades-Gen.
Joe Wheeler at the Reunion
Daughter of Gen. A. p. Hill Intro
duced-EverybOdy Seems to be a
GeneraI-Grand Ball by the Sons
of Veterans in Honor of the
Sponsors.
Sponsors

New Orleans. May 2O.-Today's ses-
sion of the Confederate reunion closed
with prayer The first words of the
petition for divine guidance and bless
ing We're spoken by the chaplain, while
| the echoes, of taps" the. most sad and
yet the most beautiful of all bugle calls.
were yet quivering in the air For this
was the day, a portion of which had
been set apart for services in honor
of the dead of the Confederate cause,
for the glorifcation of their deeds, for
the hallOwing of their memories, for
the SanctificatiOn of the cause for
which they lived and died. The tribute
was most amply rendered.
1t was offered,in the burning words of
the orator and the fiery plaudits of his
hearers as they saw again through
him. the martial proweSs of their broth
ers. who have joined the eternal mus
ter it was rendered in the sobs of
beautiful women. and in the self con-
tanned grief of StaIWart men when it
was borne home to them once more
that the comrades they so deeply loved
the leaders SO highly honored, can be
nothing to them, but q priceless mem
Dry.
The memorial services We're opened
promptly at II o'clock by General Cor
don, who said:
And now, my comrades, the appoint
ed time has come for the services in
honor Of our immortal dead, and for
the opening of these exercises, l be-
lieve we should give thanks to AL
mighty God for the lives they lived,
and ask His benedictIOn for them and
US for the time to come. l am going
to ask General Young, of Kentucky,
to lead us in prayer.
General Young delivered an eloquent
invocation. followed by General J. A.
Chalaron, who read a eulogy on the
late adjutant general of the United
Confederate Veterans, George Moor
man, of New Orleans. General Cabell
followed in a brief address, in which
he paid a warm tribute to the late ad-
jutant general. The resolutions con-
corning General Moorman's death were
adopted by a silent rising vote.
General Gordon then introduced Rev.
j. J. Finley, of Fisherville, Va, who
delivered the annual memorial sermon.
1t was a strong address, fervid in It's
patriotism. replete with loving words
for the dead and bright promises of
hope for the south that is, and the
south that is yet to be. He moved his
hearers to frequent applause and sew
eral times brought many of them to
tears. The vacant chair was played
softly by the band and then taps" was
blown. A short prayer by Chaplain
General Jones brought the memorial
exercises to a close, and an adjourn
ment was taken until tomorrow at 9
o'clock.
Prior to the memorial exercises the
financial report of Adjutant General
Mckle was presented and approved,
-I,n 70, tIa fIa fn11 1nLT--
ing receipts; Camp dues, $1,212; COM
missions and certificates of member
ship S31; donations. $685. Total $2,OS1.
The disbursements We're 81, ,261. leaving
q balance of 1914.
The report of the historical commit
tee which was of considerable length
was read by General J. j. HOrner and
General S. D. Lee by turns. 1t dwelt
exclusively with the efforts Of the COM
mittee to secure an impartial historical
record for the south and made series
of recommendations regarding various
publications praising some and con-
demning others. 1t was adopted with
out dissent.
Following the presentation of the
committee reports w. P. Lane, of
Texas, a member Of the Sons Of Vet
Grams, presented the greetings of the
association of the older body and
created much enthusiasm among the
ments and his delivery. When he had
ceased speaking, General c. l. Walk
er, of Virginia. moved that committee
| of five be appointed to arrange for
closer relationship between the Sons Of
Veterans and the parent organization.
General Gordon presented as members
General c. I. Walker General B. II.
Young. General Robert White, General
]. A. Webb and General W. T.'Tarry-
4 move. Mr. Chairman" said Cen
| eral Cobell. rising to his feet, that the
| trans Mississippi department be repre-
| sented on that committee. We have
| by far the largest camp Of Sons Of
Veterans in the south. and 1 think We
should be represented
| Il guess there will be no objection to
| that" said General Gordon and he
named as additional members General
| VanSent and General Felix Robertson
of the trans Mississippi department..
| General Gordon. General Gordon. :
| shouted a delegate.
| What is it cornrade?" asked the ger
| eral
That committee is all generals. 7
want a private on it,
The motion was promptly seconded
| and carried and the general said:
| Now you've got Our private. Name
| him."
| This the delegate was unable to do.
much te the amusement Of the con-
ventiOn.