The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-06-07

H IN
Years of Patient and Loving Work
OH part of Southern WOnen-Vet-
Grams OF Lost Cause Gather to
Pay Tribute to Memory of the Man
They Revere tbove All Others
Fitting Close to What IL Probably
the Last Great Gathering OF Con-
fcderate Veterans-Daughtcr and
Grandchildren of jefferson Davis
Presented t o Great Throng at Close
of Exercises.
Richmond, Va, June 3.-Under a
perfect sky with bands playing crash
ing music, in which Dixie and
maryland were pre-eminent the
remnants of the army OF the gray to-
day paraded through the streets Of
Richmond and out ON splendid monu-
ment avenue unveiled an enduring me-
mortal to Jefferson Davis, the first
and only president Of he Confederate
States of America.
The event anne as q climax of the
reunion Of the United Confederate
Veterans and every man of this body
of old men who were able to walk at
all o part. The day and the event
is Il hat will live forever in the
memory of those who were present
and the expression of the beautiful
sentiment which were uttered by the
speakers are destined to become a part
of the history of the south. Second
only to the tribute given to the mem
Ory OF Dixie lands great chieftain
were those offered on every hand 10
the women Of the south whose gift
the monument is.
The ceremony was one for the south.
No other section had any part in it.
The veterans who fought for the Lost
Cause" were gathered to pay their
tribute to the man whose memory is
revered above all others. Their de-
s~cendants were assembled because it
is bred in them to cherish that mem
DRY and because they wished to imbibe
new lessons.
The speeches counseled the teachings
of loyalty to the cause for which the
southern states struggled, but there
was nothing in the teachings but what
excited the sympathy and approval of
> visitors from other sections.
That the great multitude was gath
cred for n purpose alone was evil
deneed by the attitude of the people
toward William Jennings Bryan, who
was guest of the reunion. He vas
given a remarkable ovation as he
drove through the streets in the line
Of march and cheered to the echo as
he mounted the stand just before the
program was begun. At the conclu-
sion of the ceremony there was a num-
Der of calls for him to address the peo-
pie, but these were Immediately drown
ed in a chorus of mo- mo" many
times repeated.
The objections came from every
where and were led ty the women of
the Jefferson Davis Monument Asso-
citation. General Stephen D. Lee,
grand commander, who presided at the
stand, announced in ringing tones:
There will be no politics here" He
turned to the crowd i'll every direction
TO shout this warning and it had the
desired effect. The calls ceased at
once.
During the ceremony Mr.. and Mrs.
Bryan had occupied an inconspicuous
position in the rear of the speakers
stand and out of sight of the people.
AS soon as his name was mentioned
MI. Bryan made a movement as though
to withdraw from the stand. He re-
allied that if he appeared before the
people a political motive would be at
tributed to him by many and for
that reason had opposed going on the
stand at all.
The prompt suppression of the col
by General Lee and others saved ar
embarrassing situation.
One of the touching incidents Of the
day was the presentation of descend
ants of Mr.. Davis to the great throng
This occurred at the conclusion of the
program.
| Mrs. J. Addison Hayes, of Colorado
Springs, Colo, was led forward first
and introduced as the daughter OF
President Davis, and then followed
Miss Alice Hayes, Jefferson Hayes Da'
Wis, whose name was t~ransposed by ar
act of the legislature to perpetuate thu
name Of the Confederate chieftaln'
William Davis Hayes, and Mrs. Webb
the children of AFR. and Mrs. Hayes
last of all, Davis Hayes Webb. TIL
great grand son of MIR. Davis, was in
troduced. The people cheered each on
HHfknsiasfioallv and kent Mrs. Have: