Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-15
SOUTHERN VETERANS
Enthusiastic Reunion of Con-
federates at Nashville.
SONS OCCUPIED SEATS
ELECTION OF OFFICERS MADE
SPECIAL ORDER FOR TODAY.
Commander Lee Talks on Lives Lost
In Behalf of South-Dr.
McKim's Address.

mCh1m'S AQOCeSS.
dispatch from Nashville. Tenn. last
night says: Under every condition tending
to successful reunion. Nashville today
omcially welcomed the United Confederate
Veterans and their friends. constituting a
host conservatively estimated at 10000 peo-
pie. The exercises of the day took place in
the Tabernacle. and every bit Of space was
taken Icing before the veterans were called
to order by Gen. George w. Gordon of
Memphis, commander Of the Tennessee di-
vision.
1t was the first convention in the history
OF the organization that the Sons of Vet
Grams sat with their fathers, and the cheers
from the threats of the younger generation
at almost every expression by those who
took part in the strife forty years ago made
| 1t plain that the spirit of 81 would be per-
petuated In generations to come. California
was represented on the floor; from far-off
Montana delegation was sent. and Ohio
was On hand with four delegates.
1t was the fourteenth annual meeting and
the first at which the distinguished cavalry
officer. John B. Gordon. did not preside. A
few steps to the rear Of Gen. Stephen D.
Lee. who occupied the chair. sat Gen. Cor
don's widow and two daughters, Mrs. Bur-
tor Smith of Atlanta and Mrs. Orion Bishop
Brown of Maine.
Chief Figures of the Confederacy.
To the right and to the left of them were
seated many Of the chief figures Of the
confedcracy, and a charming array of
beautifully gowned division and department
sponsors. There was notable curtailment
OF the sponsor feature Of the reunion, and
| 1t was announced from the stage early that
only tho sponsors accredited to departments
and divisions would be given seats on the
stage.
On the stage were Gen. Stephen D. Lee,
the acting chief, Columbus,
Miss. Gen. w. D. Jones Of Richmond Gen.
{. H. iebault Of New Orleans, chief sur
geon. Confederate States army, and Miss
Corinne Tebault. sponsorin-chief; Gen. w.
+. Mickle of New Orleans, adjutant gen
eral; Gen. w. s. Cabell, commanding the
trans-a1ississippi division; Gen. A. J. West
Of Atlanta, commanding the North Georgia
Brigade; Gen. c. Irvine Walker command
ing the Department of Virginia. and Gen.
Clement A. Evans of Atlanta, who sue
| ceeded Cen. Stephen D. Lee as commander
or the Department of Tennessee.
Welcomed by Gov. Frazier.
After General Lee had called the vet
Grams to order, Chaplain Jones delivered
the Invocation. Gov. j. B. Frazier welcom-
ed the delegates to Tennessee In splendid
address. Twice he started to his seat, only
| to be recalled. Among other things, Gov
when that grand man, that patriot that
noble Christian SOLDIER. Gen. Robert E. Lee,
| surrendered at Appomattox, he spoke with
heart too full for deceit, in that no
southern mother swore her son to bitter
ness She Swore him to love and honor
All accepted the inevitable finality. When
you saw furlad; for the last time the stars
and bars you had followed for four years.
when you had made your last final march
back to your homes, had a final farewell to
your comrades, and found the sainted
mothers grave sleeping in the family GEM
etery, the beautiful home in ruin and
| ashes. when you pressed upon your wife's
lips a loving kiss. you sealed a solemn
pledge that from that day on you would
know but one country and but one flag.
After Col. A. s. Williams mayor of
Nashville, had extended the city's welcome.
General Gordon brought forward Gen
Stephen D. Lee as the permanent presiding
officer and commander-in-chief General
Lees appearance was the signal for a re-
raarkable outburst of enthusiasm. Cheer
after cheer greeted him. Hats, canes,
handkerchief and coats went into the air
In all parts of the auditorium, and the gall
lery added it's vociferous voice to the DEM
.onstration. The band took up the spirit of
the occasion, and General Lee was kept
bowling from side to side for several min
uteS. He said:
Gen. Stephen Lees Address.
II wonder sometimes whether, when the
great balances of the universe are poised
DAYS are rendered, whether even when the
last human history is written of the war
between the states, and the slow verdict of
remote pcsterty is taken, the cause we
loved viii seem as lost as 1t once seemed
to US. 1t may be that, in the providence of
God AMI the development of humanity, the
fearful sacrifices We're necessary for the
highest good of this nation and of the
world.
Truly in human experience, without the
shedding of blood, there is no redemption.
Rather let us believe that the world is rich
er and better. purer and greater, for the
tragic story of forty years ago, and that the
shed blood has brought blessing. honor.
glory and power. incorruptible treasures of
which d brave and noble people can never
be despoiled.
1T is a source of joy to every one of us
when We see how prosperous our country
has grown. I think We are convinced now
that tn, south is fully on it's feet again. In
material prosperity we have not only reach
ed but surpa ssed the achievements of our
fathers.
II hold no view of southern degeneracy,
but l Geplore the irreparable loss to my
country and the coming generations when
those sriendid men. the bravest and best
the world has ever held, went down in
death. Put 1t is a great comfort to know
that the south had such men to lose. 1t was
a revocation to the world. 1t was a revela-
ton to ourselves.
LAS the close Of our days draws near. and
the worl, of upbuilding our country passes
into younger anu stronger nanQS, let US
make 1t our mission to tell the story. Do
not let cur children and grandchildren for
get the cause for which we suffered. Tell
it not IN anger; tell it not in grief; tell 1t
not in revenge; tell 1t proudly, as fits a
soldier. -+' -,
There is no shame in all the history
Dwell on the gallant deeds. the pure mo-
tives the unselfish sacrifices. Tell of the
hardships endured. the battles fought. the
men who bravely lived. the men who nobly
died Your dear comrades shall live again
in your wOr1s,g
"The cause In which their blood was shed
will never be sIost to us, and the love we
| gave it will not die till the last gray jacket
! is folded and the last gray head is buried
| beneath the sod, a,
Mr.. Thomas M. Owen of Montgomery,
| Ala commander Of the Alabama division,
| Sons of Veterans.Tspok in response to the
welcoming for the Sons. He was heartily
aDplauded