The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-05-21
GEN. GORDON PRESIDES'
The Report of the Historical Commit
tee Adopted General Hills Daugh-
ter introduced to the Veterans---A
Private Wanted on q Committee
Could Not be Found.
fRx the Associated Press.l

New Orleans, La. May 2O.-Today's ses-
sion of the Confederate Reunion closed
with prayer. The first words of the pc
tition for divine guidance and blessing
were spoken by the chaplain, while the
echoes of taps the most sad and yet
the most beautiful of all buge calls, were
yet quivering in the air. For this was the
day, portion of which had been set
apart for services in honor of the hero
dead of the Confederate cause, for the
glorification of their deeds, for the hal
lowing of their memories, for the sancti-
fcatlon 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 agin through
him, the martial prowess of their broth
ers, who have joined the eternal muster
1t was rendered by the most beautiful
women and contained grief of stalwart
men, when it was borne home to- men
once more, that the comrades they so
deeply loved, the leaders so highly hon.
ored cannot be nothing to them but
priceless memory.
The memorial services were opened
promptly at IL o'clock by General Cor
don who said:
And now, my comrades. the appointed
time has come for the services in honor
of our immortal dead-and for the open
ing of these exercises l believe we should
give thanks to Almighty God for the lives
they lived and ask His benediction for
them and us for the time to come.
am going to ask General Young, of Ken
tucky, to lead us in proyer.''
General Young delivered an eloquent in
vocation, and was followed by General j.
a. Chataron, who read a eulogy on the
late Adjutant General of the United Con
federate Veterans, George Moorman, of
New Orleans. General Cabell followed in
a brief address, in which ne paid warm
tribute to the late Adjutant General.
The resolutions were adopted by a silent
rising vote.
General Gordon then introduced Rev. J.
j. Finley, of Fishcrville, Va, who de-
livered the annual memorial sermon. It
was strong address, fervid in its patriot
ism, 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 fre
quent applause and several times brought
many of them to tears.
"The Vacant Chair" was played soft
" by the band and then taps was
blown. A short prayer by Chaplain Gen
eral Jones brought the memorial exer
cises to a close. and an adjournment was
taken until tomorrow at nine o'clock.
Prior to the memorial exercises, the
financial report of Adjutant General
Mickle was presented and approved show
ing for the fiscal year the following re
ceipts:
Camp dues 81 PIP, commissions and GER
tifcates of membership s31, donations
1888. Total $2,0S1.
Disbursements were s1,267, leaving a
balance OF 1914.
The report of the Historical Committee,
which was of considerable length was
read by General j. J. Horner and General
S. d. Lee, by turns 1t dwelt exhaustively
with the efforts of the committee to Sc
cure an impartial historical record for
the South, and made a series of recon-
mendations regarding various publications,
praising some and condemning others.
1t was adopted without dissent.
Following the proposition of the COM
mittee reports, W. H. Lane, of Texas, a
member of the Sons of Veterans, presented
the greetings of his organization to the
older body and created much enthusiasm
among the veterans by the energy or his
sentiments and the force of his delivery.
When he had ceased speaking, General
T. L. Walker, of Virginia, moved that a
committee of five be appointed to arrange
Tor closer relationship between the Sons
OF Veterans, and the parent organization
General Gordon appointed as members
General c. l. Walker, General B. II.
Young. General Robert White. General j.
a. Webb and General w. P. Tarry.
Il move, Mr.. Chairman" said General
Cabel, rising to his feet. that the trans
Mississippi department be represented on
that committee. We have by far the
largest camp of Sons of Veterans in the
South, and think we should be repre-
sented."
Il guess there will be no objection In
that" said General Gordon, and he named
as additional members Generals Van Zant
and General Felix Robertson, of the Trans
Mississippi Department.
General Gordon, General Gordon"
shouted a delegate.
''What is it comrade?" asked the gel,-
eral
"That committee is all generals. I want
a private on it.