The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-04-27

sippi department, presided in the abb
sence of General S. D. Lee. After the
session had been opened by prayer
by Rev. A. Gordon Bakewell, chaplain
|general of the Louisiana division, a
mixed choir of twenty voices sang in a
beautiful manner Nearer My God to
Thee"
The first address was by Rev. DeLa
Morriniere, of New Orleans, who spoke
at considerable length and with much
eloquence of Robert E. Lee, and Je1er-
son Davis.
His address was received with ex-
ceeding warmth and many times he
was compelled to halt in his remarks
to allow the applause to die away.
When he had concluded the choir
sang Jesus Lover of My Soul" and
General Cabell then introduced Rev. W.
McF. Alexander, of New Orleans, who
spoke at length Of the constitutional
side of the right of the states to secede.
He claimed it was the undoubted privi-
lege of the states to leave the union
prior to 1861.
1T is not right now," he said, "be-
cause the war has settled the fact"
Mr.. Alexander closed his address with
an eloquent tribute to the women OF
the south. The memorial service proper
were ended by benediction pronounced
by Chaplain General Jones.
General Cabell then introduced Lieu
tenant Governor J. Y. Sanders, Of Lou
isiana, who in behalf of the Sons OF
Veterans addressed the delegates.
70 ho IL
siastic young confederate, then read to
the convention the names OF a COM
mittee selected by General Cabel1 to
make reply to the greeting of the Sons
of Veterans The presiding officer,
then in a few words, introduced as the
orator of the reunion, Judge James Is.
CAN'T, of Jefferson City, Mo-, the major
general commanding the Missouri di-
vision of the Confederate Veterans,
who spoke.
At the conclusion of Judge Can't S
address an adjournment was taken un-
til 10 o'clock tomorrow morning.
REPORT OF ADJUTANT GENERAL
MICkLE.
Headquarters .. G. Y.
New Orleans, april %, 1906.
General Stephen D. Lee, General Com
manding, United Confederate Veter-
ans, Columbus, Miss.
General:-I have the honor to pre-
sent for your information my report
as adjutant general for the year ending
December 81, 1905, and it is source
of sincere pleasure to me that | am
- +t1 icfn af
showing that has ever been known in
this Office since the organization OF our
federation.
When l took charge of this office in
January, 1906, l found that there were
$50 camps sadly IN arrears, which had
not contributed anything towards the
support of the federation for great
length of time. This condition of af
fairs was brought about by the reluct-
ance of my beloved predecessor to
make demand on these camps for the
amounts due BY them. he not wishing
to appear as "dunning'' them. l did
not share this view, feeling that the
debts were just and should be paid,
just as the obligations of private in
dividual. I at once made claim on the
deliuquents for several amounts. and
this was followed by others if no re-
spOnse was received. By persistence
in this course, [ am proud to be able
to report that [ succeeded in placing in
good standing 157 camps. The remain
ing 412 | fear are lost beyond recovery,
and | have prepared resolution to be
submitted to the New Orleans conven-
ton, looking to dropping the II from the
roster if they do not make settlement
within reasonable time. This course
is but just to the camps who keep their
dues paid, for out of these payments
matter is printed and postage paid to
send it to the delinquents, aggregating
several hundreds of dollars each year.
During the twelve months, charters
have been issued to twenty-five new
camps, distributed as follows: South
Carolina, 2; North Carolina, 4; West
Virginia, 2; Louisiana, /; Florida /;
Alabama, 2; Mississippi, Z; Georgia,
3; Texas, 4; Arkansas, 1; Oklahoma,
8; Pacific l. This is a most encourag-
ing showing, when it is recalled that
the war ended over forty years ago and
those who were in the confederate
armies are scattered far and wide over
the United States often not sufficient
locating in a given area in adequate
numbers to organize a camp.
l am proud to be able to report that
the camps have paid with as much
promptness as in former years, and in
great numbers. Every camp in the
northwest division and in the Florida
division last year settled their dues in
full; but this year, the former stands
alone. The proud position that the
northwest division occupies in this re-
gard is due in great measure to the
unwearying zeal and continuous efforts
of Major General Paul A. FusZ, the
commander. In many instances the
dues of camps were accompanied by
letters full of words of the most en-
couraging and affectionate nature.
The officers, too, deserve commen-
dation for the alacrity with which they
have made settlement of their dues,
often remitting in excess of what was