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

New Orleans, April 25.-Today in the
heart of a city which has borne the
brunt of battle, and worn the weeds of
mourning for it's sake, the confederacy
was revived again by those who cher
ish it for everything that it was intend
ed to be, and who will love it until they
die, for what it means to them and to
the south. The tales or the heroism,
the sacrifice, the agony and the glory
of the great days were told again to
those who never weary of the story,
and who cheered and wept by turns,
as the bright or sombre side of the pic
ture turned to view.
No reunion was ever held under fair
er auspices, and none ever showed
greater promise of success. The
weather was perfect, the arrangements
of the temporary buildings erected for
the reunion were unsurpassed, and
the details of the vast work of hand
ling the great throng of visitors were
carried out with precision and care.
The first session of the day saw the
reunion formally launched upon it's
career, General S. D. Lee, the COM
mander-in-chief, Adjutant General
MickIe, and other officers of the organ
ization presented their reports and
General Lee delivered his formal ad-
dress. There were other speeches, al
most without number. The veterans
were welcomed by Governor Blanch-
ard for the state, and Mayor Behrman
for the city, for the veterans OF Loulsl-
ana, the Sons of Veterans, of Louisi-
ana, by the citizens OF New Orleans
and by members of the various affiliat
ed societies.
There were songs by young women
and reverent prayers by ministers OF
the gospel.
The afternoon was given over to the
memory of the confederate dead and
addresses extolling their valor, patriot
ism and memory were cheered again
and again.
The convention was called to order
by General Albert Estopinal, COM
1nander-in-chief of the Louisiana divi-
sion of the United Confederate Veter-
ans.
After an eloquent invocation had
been delivered by Chaplain General
Jones, of the organization, the anthem
"Immortals" composed by T. c. De-
Leon, of Mobile was sung.
An address of welcome to the visit
ing veterans was then made by Gen
eral Estopinal and solo "A Confeder-
ate Toast in Song" composed by Miss
Given, of the United Daughters of the
Confederacy. was sung oy Miss Carrie
Nick.
Governor Blanchard was given
most enthusiastic welcome when he
stepped to the front of the platform tc
speak for the people Of the state OF
Louisiana. He in the most cordial
manner, bade the visitors welcome to
the state, and after song by Alfred
Meister, Mayor Behrman greeted the
veterans in behalf of the city Of New
Orleans.
Charles Paine Fenner, Of New Or
leans, delivered brief address OF wei
come in behalf of the local Sons or
Veterans.
Mrs. w. J. Behrman, president OF the
Federated Southern Memorial Assocla-
ton. spoke a few words of welcome,
and then J. B. Sinnott, first vice prest-
dent of the citizens executive COM
mittee of New Orleans, spoke briefly,
welcoming the veterans in behalf or
the people of Louisiana and he then
delivered to General S. D. Lee, as COM
mander-in-chief of the confederate vet
Grams, the hall erected for their use
during the reunion.
General Lee, was then formally pre-
sented by General Estopinal and was
greeted with round after round Oh
cheers.
A chorus arranged by Mrs. T. A.
Burke. was then sung and General Lee,
after accepting the auditorium in be-
half of the veterans, delivered his for
mai address as commander-in-chief.
The afternoon session of the reunion
was devoted to the glory OF the confed-,
crate dead, the exercises being OF
memorial character. General w. l..
Cabell. commander of the trans-Missis-