The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-06-10

ter not less than the former. which makes this great gathering this great meeting.
 "Thc camp fire has been prepared, at the bivouac you can recite over again in the most living manner those events In your lives. those events which, except from your memory, would become simple chronicles of the times. pages of history for all time. it is true. and yet uhlit by the sparkle of the individuality which your recital will givs.
 "Rirmingham. unscathea by war. yet full of sympathy. extends to you that sintenseness of welcome that sincerity sire that while in our midst you shall have the very bent and enjoy the very most, and in the name of this. the larg- est city of Alabama. T welcome you.
 -Four times a day go in and out through the .portico of your Capitol at Montgomery and. between two great columns, erected to stand forever. is and names the spot on which your Pres- ident and our President, Mir. Jefferson Davis. stood when he took the oath of office and promised to stand by and stand with you in the righteous fight for local government. It was from that spot that he delivered his inaug- ural address. and it was from that spot that the first and only President of the Southern Confederacy declared techni- cal principles of local self-govern- ment.
 T was younger than the age neces- sary to stand the rigors of war, yet older than the way, and while daily witnessing this hallowed spot of your birth. I want to assure you that the n. IA. alr 1nrl,k me, and believe the fire which kindles the love of State and country will live. It is the Promethean spark stolen from heaven--matches will flare and go out. furnaces can be banked and will ashen and die. but the flames which light the soul. which make the emotions glow, which send the power of resolve. which excites the daring do. can never die. r~tN
 You. are here in our midst; We well come you. My home is on the south hills: every door is open to you. Our State is all around about you; offer you the keys of same. If any one dare lay ruthless hands on you. send for me. This State Is yours Accept to the fullest it's joys and gladness.
 'TAwill burden you with a message of love. As. each of you cross over the river and meet the dauntless stephen D. Lee. tell him that we love him still in Dixie."
 There was prolonged cheering as the Governor concluded his address.
 The Confederate Choirs of America, Mrs J. Griff Edwards. e Commander General in command, then sang Should Old Acquaintancs Be Forgot" the vet erans cheering lustily when the song had d/been concluded. fret
 Mayor Wards Address.
 Hon. George B. Ward, mayor of Bir- mingham extended the veterans the welcome in behalf of the city. He was brief When the mayor paid tribute to the chivalry of the southern peo- ple there was great cheering.
 The mayor said on this score: MT Commander, there is something pecu- liar about the South. It is not our laws, it is not our institutions nor yet our material wealth alone that makes the South stand forth magnificent and unioue among all the people of the earth. It is the spirit of chivalry, the purity of race, the power of noble men-ever ready to respond to her call, it matters not whether 1t be to walk worthily in the paths of peace or prove thunderbolts on the fields of war.
 MT. Commander, though peace. gentle peace, now rests over our Southland and God smiles down upon us in plen- tifulness and prosperity yet we should ever strive to keep burning in the souls of the generations as they come and go that same indominitable spirit which inspired the Southern men and South ern woman in the struggles of the six ties"
 Miss Mary Addie Harrison followed next with a song and then Brigadier General J. W. Bush, of Camp Hardee, Birmingham, extended the welcome on behalf of the Confederate Veterans of Alabama.
 This was followed by Miss Dixie" by the band and General Rufus N. Rhodes. of Camp Morgan-Pettus. Sons of Confederate Veterans. extended a welcome in behalf of the Sons.
 Address of Rhodes.
 General Rhodes said:
 "only a great people can have a great civil war. Only a noble people can have a noble reconciliation.
 My father was a Mississippian; I am an American. The war settled that
 '"rhe trouble grew out of honest diff ferenees of opinion. North and South as to the proper construction of the