The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-06-15
Nashville Grtets More Than 3O,OOO Visitors With Love
 and Enthusiasm
SPIRIT OF SIXTY-ONE WILL
 BE FOREVER PERPETUATED
Addresses Stir the Hearts of All Hearers-Last Remaining Drum Corps of confederacy Given
 Great Demonstration.

Nashville, June 14.-under every condi- ton tending to a successful reunion Nash vile today officially welcomed the United Confederate veterans and their friends constituting a host, conservatively esti- mated at 3O coo people The exercises of the day took place in the tabernacle and every bit of space was taken long before the veterans were called to order by Gen. George w. Gordon of Memphis, comman- der of the Tennessee division.
 It was the first convention in the his tory of the organization that the Sons of Veterans sat with their fathers. and the cheers from the throats of the younger generation at almost every expression by those who took part in the strife forty years ago, made plain that the spirit of q would be perpetuated in generations 10 come. California was represented on the floor; from far far off Montana was delegation and Ohio was on hand with four delegates.
 It 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.
 
 sat General Gordons widow and two daughters, Mrs. Burton Smith of Atlanta and Mrs. Orton Bishop Brown of Maine. To the right and to the left of them were seated many of the chief figures of .he Confederacy, and a charming array of beautifully gowned division and de- partment sponsors. There was a notice able curtailment of the sponsor feature of the reunion, and it was announced from she stage early that only the sponsors accredited to departments and divisions would be given seats on the stage.
 Prominent Visitors on the Staqe.
 On the stage were Gen. Stephen D. Lee, acting commander-in-chief Columbus. Miss; Gen. William D. Jones of Richmond, Gen. T.. H.. Tebault of New Orleans. chief surgeon, c. S. A., and Miss Corinne Tebault, sponsor ln-chief; Gen. w. E. Mickle of New Or leans, adjutant general; Gen. w. S. Ca tel, commanding the trans Mississippi di- vision; Gen. A. J. West. Atlanta com handing the North Georgia brigade; Gen. 2. Irvine Walker, commanding the de- partment of Virginia, and Gen Clement A. Evans, Atlanta who succeeded Gen. stephen D. Lee as commander of the de- pdrIment or tennessee.
 The convention hall was well filled by Il o'clock The long wait of an hour and half before the gathering was called to order vas enlivened by the appearance of he Kentucky delegation with their band, snd later by the arrival of tine only sur viving drum corps of the Confederate hosts--a band of three or four men from North Carolina. As they marched down the long aisle to the tune of Dixie" es- sorting a North Carolina camp, the en- Int siasm of the old veterans was un- ,ounded. A few moments later the Sew snth cavalry band of the United States, stationed at Chattanooga, came into he hall playing a spirited marcn. They mar ched down to the stage and were es- sorted up to the gallery, where they took a position in the extreme end over the platform, their uniforms forming the only variation to the predominatiag grey of those assembled.
 After General Gordon had called the veterans to order Chaplain Jones deliv- cred the invocation. Governor J. B. Frazier welcomed the delegates to Ten nessee in a splendid address. Twice he started to his seat, only to be recalled and urged In behalf of the veterans. Among other things, Governor Frazier raid:
 Governor Frazier's Glowing Tribute.
 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 bitterness She swore him to love and honor. All accepted the inevitable finaity. When you saw furled 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 bade final farewell to your comrades and found the sainted mothers grave sleeping in the family cemetery, the beautiful home in ruin and ashes, when you pressed upon your wife's lips low ing kiss. you sealed a solemn pledge that from that day on you would know but one country and but one flag.
 You came back to take up your old work, to build a new civilizations; to re- deem a land that had almost maliciously been given to the negro. In less than thir- ty-fve years unaided by anything except a fertile land and energy, you have at- tained commercial freedom for the south The south has already snatched from New England the hitherto unchallenged record of cotton manufacturing. The sosith Is destined to become the garden spot in this fair land. tApplause)
 We welcome you to the warm hospitaI- ltv and sunshine of the south, and if that is not warm enough. we welcome you to some of our good homes. tApplause and cbeers)."
 Afte. Col A. S. Williams, mayor of Nashville had extended the citys well come, 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 remarkable outburst of enthusiasm. Cheer after cheer greeted him.. Hats, canes handkerchiefs and coats went into the air in all parts of the auditorium and the gallery added its vociferous voice to the demonstration. The band took up the spirit of the occasion and General Lee was kept lowing from side to side for several minutes. He said:
 General Lees Address.
 Tt is impossible for me to respond to the kindly and cordial welcome so fitly spoken to my comrades who wore the gray, without thinking of the great soI- -sAr and orator upon whom this duty