The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-08-08
HEFLIN TO VETERANS
SPEAKS AT REUNION A sCHENCK's SPRINGS.
The Secretary of State Refers to Crit icisms of His Luverne spech and Makes Another --.-
 tack on Jones.


 Anniston. Aug. 7.--(special. .l-As a ft. ting close of the annual reunion of Con- federate Veterans of the counties of Cal. houn. Cherokee. Etowah. St. Clair and Cleburne at schenck's Springs, the Vet evans were lined up and passed in file be- fore the commander and guests of honor. shaking hands in a good bye until next year.
 The reunion began Wednesday and last ed through Thursday. Many notable speeches were heard. Thursday the or ator of the day, Hon. J. Thomas Hefiin. Secretary of State. took up the question discussed at Luverne some weeks ago and created such a stir. in that Judge Thomas c. Jones of the United States Court, was criticised.
 Mir. Hefiin spoke for nearly two hours to an audience of nearly 2.0oo persons. most of whom stood while he spoke.
 In view of his speech and the criticism by some papers of his position. he ex- plained his attitude on the charge of Judge Jones. He said in this connection:
 Co read of Southern valor and heroism and you will find that 1t was Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, who wrote the Dec laration of Independence; that 1t was Pat rick Henry a Southerner, who inspired the revolution: that 1t was George Wash ington. a Southerner. and the father of his country, who led to victory the army of thirteen colonies; that 1t was Madison, a Southerner, who wrote the Constitution of the Federal Government: that 1t was Fancy and Marshall who construed the organic law; 1t was Southern men who succeeded under Jackson in the war of 1872; 1t was Southern men who followed the blades of Winfield Scott and Jefferson Davis into the heritage of the Montezu- mas.
 T would show to the world in the light of these great truths that Southern men could have never fought and endured what they did in battleields of the eos and perished as they did at Crampton's Gap, unless they had fought for the love of principle. would further show in the light and glow of these patriotic truths that Southern men in Alabama. compos- ing a part of the jury system of our Government do not deserve to be branded by a Federal Judge as perjurers and dis honored."
 In the midst of great enthusiasm on the part of his audience at the conclusion of his remarks on this subject. he said;
 veterans and Sons of Veterans. old men and young men and the good wo- men present, demand at your hands an endorsement or condemnation of my position. ask those who approve my course and position to make 1t known by holding up their hands" In response to this with one ac- cord hands were raised in approval of the speaker. Mir. Hehin then said, "I ask and could have no higher compliment than this endorsement you have given me-"
 Before speaking of Judge Jones. Mir. Hefiin referred to the late order of Gen. John B. Gordon, Commander of the United Confederate Veterans. in which he said that 1t is not best for the camps singly or in reunions to endorse anything as a body and thus before the vote was made he spoke on this line. and asked his hearers to vote as free-born citizens. He said: General Gordon has been mis- led either by transformation or by mal- information into the belief that l said something in my Luverne speech which favored peonage in Alabama. Nothing could be further from . correct tnterpre- tation of what I said. am persuaded that if he knew all the facts he would never have issued such an order to the noble patriots composing the Confeder- ate Veterans. understand the inhibition proclaimed by him to mean that the Vet erans' Association should not become par tisans in any political question and is far from my intention to disobey this or- der in any sense. I am sure he did not mean to issue an order to put Q bar on
  to issue an order which would preclude this organization from endorsing the right of trial by jury in this liberty loving Southland. Shall be permitted in this noble presence to defend myself against the virulent attacks that have been made on me by The Montgomery Advertiser and a few other papers not in possession of the real facts, or shall be compelled to remain quiet under the scathing criticisms and rebukes that have been flung at me by interruptions per sons actuated by desire to injure me and promote the interests of othersr
 The first speech of the day was by Hon. L. W. Grant of the Jacksonville Camp who was in charge of the arrange ments for the reunion. Mr. Grants speech was a grand effort and was full of sound thought.
 MT. Grant was followed by Hon. Wood son J. Martin of Gadsden. who made very patriotic speech which was we'll re- ceived. Mir. Martin paid a glowing trib- ute to the old Veterans. which brought forth prolonged applause. After bar becue dinner the Veterans began saying good bye and Mir. Heflin with the other guests of honor were placed at the head of the column in order that each Veteran could have the opportunity of shaking his hand. Mir. Hefiin was the recipient of many congratulations on his speech.