The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-11-16
General Harrison is Rs-eIectcd as Head of Confederate
 Veterans in Alabama
GOV. CUNNINGHAM PAYS
 HIGH TRIBUTE ID HEROES
Dozens of Trains Bring Veterans, Their Sons, Daughters and Friends and All Mobile Is In
 Gala Attire.
BY HERvE.Y w. LAIRD.

BY HERvEY w. LAIRD.
 Mobile November 15.-(Special.)- )-'Let us send out to the boys of the confed- eracy the truth that they may hand 1t down to future generations, that the men who followed Lee were not rebels, but patriots" declared Major General George F. Harrison at the reunion of the Ala bama Division of United Confederate Vet erans this morning. And the thunders of applause which greeted the utterance demonstrated that every man of the grey-haired throng before him thorough ly agreed with the sentiment. The declar- ation that we are also united country made by General Harrison was as enthus- iastieally cheered.
 From the city out of which marched the first to strike a blow with arms for the Stars and Bars today gathered the remnants of Lees forces in Alabama for the fifth annual reunion of the Ala bama Division, United Confederate Vet erans. All day yesterday and last night trains unloaded their dozens and scores and hundreds in parties and as in- dlviduals, ahame with enthusiasm for the occasion.
 The last train from Birmingham last night was loaded to the rails with scar red veterans in sleepers and in day coaches, who filed out into the streets and added their quota to the throng Ev- erybody was happy and comrades shouted to comrades across streets and from doorway to doorway as they spied each other for the first time In one. two, five, ten or perhaps thirty years.
 Blrmineham's Large Delegation.
 Birmingham sent large delegation in two separate coaches of the Louisville and Nashville and they were the jolliest of the jolly. It did the heart of an old Alabamian sood to see Col. J. B. Francis face light up when he discovered some old friend IF a bunch of new arrivals. Col. J. Lawler Darby was everywhere with a cheerful greeting and hearty handshake. Ex-Governor Joseph F. Johnston was kept busy shaking hands, and everybody seemed to want to speak to and welcome W. B. Leedy and w. H. Reynolds, and Dr. E. w. Jones, and Gen. J. w. Bush, and the 190 others who came down from the Magis City.
 Mrs. E. L. Higdon wlta Miss Ina Hodges, sponsor for the Forest Camp at Woodlawn reached the city last night and they are gathered at the Battle House.
 General Harrison and Staff.
 Major General George P. Harrison, commander of the division came in yes terday from Opelika, accompanied by his staff and established headquarters at the Battle House where he was visited by every one who could get to him. Besides his staff, he was accompanied by Miss Lucille Washburne of Montgomery, division sponsor and her maids.
 Colonel B. M. Washburne, who will be grand marshal of the parade, came down early and has been busy getting ready for the pageant of tomorrow.
 The various brigades assembled at o'clock this morning at German Relief hall the headquarters of Coloney Harvey E. Jones, division adjutant and were presented with badges following which they marched to the Mobile theatre for the convention exercises, which were opened at 945 a. m. by Colonel and Adju- tant Jones.
 Receives Roar of Applause.
 As the curtain was raised a local pipe and drum corps sounded the long roll and presented few old Confederate pipe and bugle calls, which was received with a roar of applause by the large audience. | Infantry band took up the music, and as the familiar old strains of Dixie filled the large room the old veterans raised their voices, often broken with the shaking of l sobs and paid their need of tear-laden praise to the dear old melody which thou | sands followed to death and glory. Time | after time the voices rose and fell, until even the younger men drew their hand kerchiefs to wipe away the tears which would not stay below the surface.
 As quiet was restored select choir sang, My Country Tis of Thee" and the Rev James H. Mason division chap lain, offered prayer. He raised his voice i for the old soldiers now tottering to the | grave. and called on the Most High to come for and preserve them and their families. He prayed that the patriotism of the Confederacy would never pass away, and that there should be wiped out | all vistage of section al strife
 Led by General Harrison a tribute of re- | sponsive nature was paid to the dead of the Confectionery and the Confederate women, which brought forth many tears.
 Cunningham Speaks.
 1 When presented to deliver the address of welcome, Acting Governor R. M Cum ningham received rousing ovation and as he proceeded with his speech he was interrupted time after time by the cheers of the people. His speech in full was as follows:
 ''The respect, honor and reverence due the soldier is measured by the justice of his cause the valor with which he defended it and the results which fol- lowed. Estimated by these criteria, the Confederate soldier is due all the honor, respect and consideration that can pos | sbly be given tim. It seems that war has been large and essential part of the worlds history. On the one hand. in defense of country and home and prin- ciples; and on the other. aggression in the interest of domain, wealth or prin- ciple. The war between the states was necessity. On the side of the Confed- | eracy was that fundamental principle of self government which found It's express