The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-05-03
What a Reunion Should Be.

Editor of The Times DlSpatch.
Sir,-I am sure there are many vet
erans-aye. and sons and daughters of
veterans-who will heartily agree with
Mr.. A. L. Slack of Tullulah. La. In his
recent letter to your paper, anent the
Confederate Reunion. Many of us are
distressed beyond measure at the &C
ton taken by some States and camps IN
appointing sponsors and< maids after
own convention in Gulfport. We can
but suppose that these States and camps
have told their ladies' that beyond the
honor of the appointment there is moth
ing more for them.
Many of us.who have the matter at
heart are anxious to see the reunion
just what the name implies: A re-
uniting OF old comrades-a series Of
pleasures just for the old warriors
Grand parades? Yes; two every day
If possible. and every veteran. from
General S. D. Lee down to the poorest
and most forlorn old man. riding or
driving in a comfortable carriage For
them the cheers, for them the flags and
huzzahs. ! wonder II those in charge
of affairs have ever stopped to think
that among tho throngs Of veterans
who go to these Qualifications many
have never been In carriage. and
| heaven itself could hardly give great
err happiness than would memories OF
such luXuries. These men are Confed-
grandcr men never lived: but the eve
ming shadows are rapidly closing IN,
| and the hearts and minds of these
| grand old men are like the hearts and
| Jealous of their dignity; yet so easily
pleased, so easily satisfied-such little
| things bring such great pleasures. To
S Whole Of the my Sst reunon has
gone beyond recall. save the one small
| fact that every way turned there
was lady with lemonade, cakes, or
sandwiches, and they Just made me
| n
| grand time In my life." Hundreds of
veterans go. as did this one. with his
railroad ticket given him by the Daugh-
ters of the Confederacy, or his friends
and neighbors or by scraplng together
all the small coin from all the stock
ingtoes OF the family, even the woe
grandchildren giving their pennies that
| grandpa may go to the reunion"
What does a ball mean to these old
men? A ticket to the Biiou or
the circus would give ten thousand
morn tess oa aRa t %hena
squares and squares?
Yet, let us havo the grand parade
the music, the guards and all OF that
sons and daughters, sponsors and maids
may walk after them. and II they are
patriotic, truly enthusiastic, they will
| gladly do this; but let the veterans ride
ture vans. or any old thing that comes
| handy, but in comfortable carriages
with some one to hold the lines, and lei
| the old fellows enjoy every moment oil
the great event. This will cost money
of course, but the carriages for the
sponsors cost money, and yet they arc
always to be had.
feel that can "spealk out freely ii
meetin'," for am a Daughter of Tho
Confederacy. ] have been to severa
reunions, and once my State command
ant gave me the pleasure and honor
of representing my State at n reunion
and though am intensely proud of tn,
fact that my State commnndant dix
so honor me, am Just as proud Of tn,
fact that my State veterans paid no
ono cent OF my expenses.
A DAUGHTER OF THE
CONTEMPORARY