The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-06-27
WORK OF THE SONS
COMMANDER OWEN ISSUES IMPORT
 ANT GENERAL ORDER.
Congratulates Alabama Division Upos the Showing Made as Nashville. Outlines Work of Sons
 For Year.


 Commander Thomas M Owen of the United Sons of Confederate Veterans has issued a general order to the Ala bama Division. congratulating 1t upon the excellent showing it's representa- tion made at the reunion in Nashville and outlining the important work of the camp for the coming year
 This order. General Order No. 9, is the opening of vigorous campaign for interest, added strength and results in the camps of the Sons in this State. It is the purpose of Commander Owen to widen in every possible way the sphere of influence of the Sons.
 The order in part reads as follows:
 Reunion of 1904.
 June 20, 1904. Comrades:
 It gives me great pleasure to advise you officially of the success of the ninth annual reunion of our Confederation held in Nashville, Tenn, June 14-1e 1904, inclusive. The fourteenth annual reunion of the United Confederate Vet erans and the fifth annual session ot the Confederated Southern Memorial Association were held at the same time and place. The hospitality of the peo- pie of Nashville was unbounded, the weather was ideal, and the greates' spirit of comradeShip prevailed. The business sessions oS the several organ izations were we'll attended. The pa rade on the last day was an imposins z and brilliant spectacle. Comrade N. IL TisdaI of Fort Worth, Tex, was elected our ~Commander-in-chie for l9o4-lsoo It was decided that the next reunion should be held at Louisville in 19o5.
 The mart of the Alabama Division in this great gathering cannot be other than gratifying to you. Your comman- der responded on behalf of the United Sons of Confederate Veterans to ths address of welcome. His address was delivered in the Tabernacle" on the first day, before the joint session oi the U. c. V. and the U. S. c. V. The re- ports showed that of approximately fifty camps organized since the reunion fin New orleans, May, 1903, seventeen had been chartered in the Alabama Division.
 Our division had delegates present from seventeen camps. much larger proportion than any other. The Sons from Alabama showed an esprit dc corps which was the subject Of favor- able comment by all Nine members oi the commanders staff were present and contributed to the success or the occasion.
 The excellent condition thus present. ed should arouse all loyal descendants of Confederate soldiers in Alabama to a deeper appreciation of their duties and a stern resolve for their better per formance. In order, therefore, to aa- wise with camps and individual Sons' and to place before them sundry sup iects of vital concern at thls tlHe' ths order is issued.
 The Work of Camps. The most important of the several constituted bodies of our organization is tbe camp. The various objects ana rurnoses for which we exist are to De 1gorked out through and by the locai camps and their members. They are supreme in their sphere, excepting few Limitations to be found In the con stitution of the Confederation. Whlie they may appear unimportant' the posl- tion of camp officials is one of dignity and responsibility.
 If is the desire of the commander that inc several camps in the Alabama Divfsion take on new life and activity ID this end the following suggestions are urged
 1D Camps should hold forma roeeting at least. once in each month Such meetings are absolutely necessary to maintain interest. If no public hal or place of meeting is easily aVallaple the meeting should be held in the homes of the members, BNluS tO IACih ooiHS thing of the form of the social or nter ary club. .
 CD At all meetings the historicalfeat ure should be emphasized. Some vete ran should be invited at least montf in advance to prepare a paper givins his "reminiscences, or an account or his tory of his command, They will al ways be found ready to respond A the meetings some member of the caml should read a paper, based either on in terviews or on research in original re ,ords; or, if preferred, the war recort of his father Cor other ancestor as thu case may bel may be written out ant presented At all meetings there should he full and frequent discussion of th objects of the Confederation.
 (3) Combined with the exercises just suggested may be mingled socia features, according to local inclinatioi such as Confederate Songs Confederate recitations, light refreshments, etc, etc
 (D It will be found very valuable to meet occa asionally in joint session with the local camps of Veterans ant the local chapters of the United Daugh ters of the Confederacy. Joint meet ings should always be held on com memorative occasions or in memoria day exercises.
 (5) All papers presented at meet