The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-06-10
Dr. Jones Inyokss Divine Blessing and General Cabsll Takes Up Gaysl at the Big Hippodrome.
Colonel RusseIl Speaks of General Lee and Judge Wright Extols Naval Men of Confedsracy.
Hundreds of Beautiful Women Grace the Occasion and Goyernor and Mrs. Conner GiEyBrilIiant Reception.

Birmingham. June s<-(speciai.)---A long as they shah live and their gem erations after them wno witnessed the scene, will the enthusiastic and inspir- ing picture of the opening session of inc eIghteenth annual reunion United Confederate Veterans. this morning m the Hippodrome. Birmingham. remain as bright spot In memory.
 The scenes that were enacted when Memoli's offielal reunion band of twen- ty-two pieces began playing Gems or stephen Foster" the opening or enc greatest reunion the Confederate vet erans ever. held, beggar of description.
 The large auditorium was crowded to thA doors, the veterans having the nriWiieEe. without interruption. of the lower floor while the galleries were d. vided. between veterans. sons and daugh ters.' and visitors; on the stage were General Cahell of Texas. the pre- . ssdihr oficer General Evans, General Tyler, Adjutant General Miekie, the lo- cal committees, the men and women who were present to extend welcomes. prominent members of the brigades and divisions sad the htg reunion band
 Before the reuaiote proper opened II was aseertainad that every person in fhe program for the day had arrived in the city and was prepared to partiei- pate and everything. afteg. oRee start ing moved smoothly
 The reunion was scalied to order by Major General Georgv P. Harrison, Commanding the Alabama Division, U. c. " When the gavet fell the noises about the immenee hall ceased and in d few moments stiffness prevailed save around the door where the veterans and visitors were seeking admission.
 pr. J. Williams Jones. Chaplain Gen. eraI, led the invocation. It was a fer hA fnF. frR I4a veterans, thanks to the Almighty for allowing those present to live to see the day and general thanks for an existence of a nation.
 The children's chorus followed. This was most interesting. Then in his usual manner, General Harrison ex- tended his welcome.
 HarrisOn's Welcome.
 General Harrison said:
 "Comrades--We have gathered in an- nual reunion, to, once more renew the ties of the battlefield and to keep alive federate soldier is justly proud.
 We are conscious of no dlshonor in our record. We fought for our homes and our loved ones, shame on any man whokwould not do likewise. We know We were right. We did our duty. and 1t is our duty to the end to preserve undiminished the treasures of our de- voted patriotism. our unshaken faith and our unalterable belief in the sa- credness and justness of our cause
 I've have, under varied conditions, always maintained our self-respect; let us continue to do so to the end.
 we were tested In the greatest clash of arms known to history. Some of us were with Lee, some with John son, some with Beauregard and some in the Trans Mississippi Department. We fought until about one-half of our army was under the sod. History fur nishes no other such record. We can recall, with pride, the patriotism and pure motives that inspired us. and how we fought over almost every foot of Southern soil. in over 2.000 great bat ties. We can, also. recall the humilia- tion and suffering to which we were subjected after the war. by forced submission to carpet-bag and scala wag rule. But we bore it all with pa- tience and dignity until. with Divine approval, we regained control of our own local governments and now. once more. are in the house of our fathers and again honor the flag of our re- united country.
 "As the official head of the Alabama Division, United Confederate Veterans. | greet you. with a joyful heart and onen arms. I bid you welcome here todav. This great city, whose guests we are. ia proud to have you here. All Alahama rejoices to know that you are with us today. We are all glad to sea you. Make yourselves comfort. able, take the best seats you find. put your feet on the mantle piece and spit in the fireplace. if you want to do so: Be at home. You are in Dixie Land.
 Southern airs were rendered by me band and chorus after whicn GoNeEhor Conner of Alabama extended tne vel come in behalf of the State. The big assembly listened intsntly as the Gov ernor delivered his address
 WelcOmbed by Conner.
 Governor Conner extended the wei come in part as follows:
 soldiers of the South, welcome you to Birmingham; I welcome you to Alabama. Our young city. born since the war, Is unbattle scared. This val lev and mountain have never known strife. the noise of battle shout, the boom of cannon. or crack of rifle has never made wounds or disturbed the course of our serenity. Business strife. Business competition and the Ire and smoke around about us. has been that of mercantile. factory and furnaces.
 While many of our citizens have shared with you the rigors of war. the pains of wounds and the death of many. except for story, know nothing of that great strife in which you earned the we'll deserved name of heroes
 ''The worship of the brave Is only commensurate with that of the endur- ing. These two great qualifications you exemplifed in the most remark