The semi-weekly messenger., 1905-06-16

Louisville, June 14-For the second
time in five years the United Confed-
crate Veterans and auxiliary organi-
cations gathered IN Louisville for their
annual reunion their reception today
under a blazing sun and with miles
of brilliant bunting flying in the breeze
being in strong contrast to the weather
conditions Of five years ago, when rec
ord breaking rains prevailed during
the entire period of the reunion and
even caused a pOstponement of the pa
rade on the last day. The decorations
this year are On a lavish scale and it
is is remarked that the American flag
predominates.
The reunion vas officially opened
shortly after the noon hour when Cen
eral Bennett H. Young, commander OF
the Kentucky DIVISION, called the per-
spring mass of humanity in the horse
show building to order and introduced
the chaplin general, J. William Jones,
of Richmond, Va. DR.. Jones In MS
invocation prayed that the blessing OF
Almighty God may rest upon :he
President of these United States and
''that he may be enabled to be the
President of this whole country an6
every section"
GOVERNOR BECKHAM'S WELCOME
A few moments later Governor
Beckham in speaking Kentucky's wei
come to the old men in gray, said:
1T is fitting that you should NEE
here, on the borderland Of the grea
struggle where ne were so torn asun
der. The great contest has been sgt
tied for all time Peace mas her advC
Gates as we'll as war
"It is now gratifying to us all tha
there is but one lag. In tender mem
ory we have laid away the Stars an'
Bars and yye rejoice that we have h
same flag that iioated over us betor
the war"
A rousirg reception was given III
commander-in-chi General Stephe
D. Lee when he arose to respond fc
the veterans to the addresses OF wei
come. The general was in splendl
voice despite the long wait in the heat
ed building, and his speech was inter
rupted many times by cheering. Cheer
were given the few remaining grea
figures of the Confederacy as they mad
their appearance. The venerable S
mon Bolivar Buchner who is approach
ing his eighty years, was heartlt
greeted and delivered speech Whlc
would have done credit to man ha
his years.
GENERAL LEES ADDRESS.
General Lee in his response said:
The welcome Of the Kentuckian
like himself-large, wholesome, gene
Gus and free. He has a heart like h
mighty Mammoth Cave, he takes e.
erybody into it. and looks around Il
more guests We are lost in your no
pitality and will never find ourselV'
again until we get out of Kentucky.
The last time we came to LoulsVll
we were impressed that this was H.
dry city; and although this time tf
rains have not descended, or the Ioo'
fallen in the same way, we find e
city is still wet IN places with ce
tain ancient juice which is supposed
be good for veterans. Louisville h.
always been dear to south We ha
not forgotten the miniStrationS Of n
I noble women in wartimes. when tn
[ were. indeed, angels of mercy. N
have we forgotten the dreadful da
when yellow fever stalked abroad
our land The gates of this fearle
and merciful city were never shut
the criy of distress. The Good Sania
;itans were not content until hospit
was built to shelter the stricken on
who fed to her doors from the scour
of the pestilense. We rejoice in t
welcome you now give us; but we gio
in the welcome which you gave III
the least of these your brethren.
Kentucky is a name to charm vi
1t is a land good for horses and b'
tor for men. and best for woman.