The Washington herald., 1909-06-09

Memphis. Tenn, June S.-That portion
of Memphis which went to sleep at all
the 'Yip, ZIP, YipF' Of the famous old
Rebel yell. There was no lack OF life at
the opening OF the Confederate reunion.
II the town seemed crowded yesterday,
the idea was only a delusion. for the real
throngs arrived this morning. Trains
were strewn along for miles awaiting a
chance 10 discharge passengers.
The Official programme OF the day be-
gan at O'Clock. when the lamps around
the Forrest monument were dedicated
with pretty ceremonies by the Mary La
than Chapter OF the Daughters Of the
Confederacy.
Reunion IL Begun.
At 10 o'clock the reunion began at the
Bijou Theater. Maj. Gen. ]. H. McDow-
ell called the assembly TO order. and after
an invocation introduced Gov Patterson.
who delivered the formal address OF vel
come. He was followed by Mayor Malone
on behalf Of the city. and by Gen. George
W. Gordon on behalf Of the executive
committee
Gen. Clement A Evans, commander IN
chief Of the Confederate Veterans. made
the response. and the roll call for States
began for the naming OF committees on
credentials and resolutions.
Reviews Events Of Year.
Commander in Chief Evans said:
The last twelve months have abounded
with significant events which show the
purpose Of our countrymen TO unite more
perfectly In genuine, cordial spirit OF
citizenship which every patriot desree.
No citizen Of our country exceed the
United Confederate Veterans in gTatia-
cation at all signs Of honorable unity.
Eminent statesmen and other promi-
nent citizens from many parts Of the
Union have made numerous public ad-
dresses which indicate an awakening 70
the knowledge OF the resources OF the
South as a rich asset Of general pros
perity, and show a fair consideration OF
the local problems which the South alone
can solve. name also the visits OF the
former and the present President 10
the Southern people, during which they
gave repeated expressions Of their in
terest in the affairs Of the South, which
were sincerely appreciated.
Another fact deserving our gratihed
attention is the increased number Of
public occasions, such as Confederate re-
unions. dedication OF monuments OBJ
servance Of the birthdays Of Jefferson
Davis and Robert E Lee, at which more
than a thousand able and eloquent ora
tions were made last year 20 great audi
ences in all parts OF the South. on all
subjects relating 10 the Confederate
movements"
Gray Coat for TAFT
The main trend OF the speech OF Gen.
Evans was a history of the birth and
origin OF the United Confederate Veter-
an Association; how that body has grown
from a feeble beginning with ten camps
70 a weTl-governed body Of more than
Loo camps.
he called attention to the fact that
when President Mckinley spoke in At
lanta in favor Of Federal protection for
Southern cemeteries in which soldiers
are buried, he was decorated with a Con-
federate badge. He then spoke OF the
utterance Of President Taft IN friendly
relation 70 the South, and suggested that
his wardrobe be completed by putting
upon his broad shoulders a real Confed-
crate gray coat-if one can be found 10
III him
Reunited Country Clasps Hands,
Judge Theodore S. Carnett, Of Norfolk
Va. was the orator Of the reunion. He
delivered his speech during the afternoon
session. He said. in part:
AT this moment we see the first syrnp-
toms Of returning sanity in the Northern
mind. The utterance Of President Taft
must sink deep into the conscience Of
the North. He has declared that the
best public opinion Of the North and the
best public opinion Of the South seem
10 be coming together. Does Il not seem
a sin and a shame that amid all our
superhuman effort 10 advance we should
still bear upon our bending shoulders the
white mans burden and the intolerable
and interminable discussion of the race
problem?
To-day in all the price Of true Ameri-
can citizenship we are ready 10 clasp
hands with every patriot in honesty and
good faith, pledging our lives and our
sacred honor TO the fulfllment of the
glorious destiny Of our reunited coun-
try
Two FLAGS Fly Together.
The city Of Memphis Is a mass OF color
IN honor Of the old Confederate soldier.
A striking feature Of the decorations is
that Of the stars and Bars and the
Stars and Stripes which are tapping
amicably together in the soft Southern
breeZes. Another feature Is that the pic
tures Of Northern heroes and those Of
Southern heroes hang side by side in the
buildings.
II has been seldom before that such
feeling OF unity has been shown at a
Confederate reunion