The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-12
Henry WattGrsOn, the Brilliant Editor, Is the PriRci-
 pal Speaker
l GENERAL FRED GRANT MAKES FEELING SPEECH
Gen. Clement A. Evans Formally Prs sents Statute to Federal Govern nent on Behalf of Veterans
 and State of Mississippi.

Vicksburg. June 1.-The scene of the Confederate Veterans reunion was transferred from Memphis to Vicksburs today and several thousand of the old soldiers who followed Lee in the cos witnessed the unveiling of the heroic statue to Gen. Stephen Dill Lee. The splendid monument, designed by Kitson, stands in the National park upon ths exact spot from which General Lee d- rected the movement of his troops during the siege of Vicksburg. It was the ia. vorite spot in the heart of General Lee, who, at the time of his death, was a member of the park commission.
 Vicksburg has been preparing for the dedication for months. The town is gaily decorated with flags and bunting, ths stars and bars and the stars and stripes always entwined.
 The advance guard of the big crowd arrived last night and until the hour set for the unveiling today special trains hourly added to the throngs.
 Maj Gen. Frederick Dent Grant, eom- mandant of the department of the lakes, U. s. A., accompanied by Mrs. Grant
 
 son of Louisville arrived last night. Gen. Clement A. Evans and his staff reached here today. The morning was devoted to sightseeing and a private view of the monument.
 The parade formed at noon today and headed by General Grant and an escort of United States cavalry proceeded to the ha fol,t a T a generals salute and then Henry Wat terson called the assembly to order. The aged editor was evidently suffering from the intense heat but his eyes beamed and his voice rang out clearly as he briefly outlined the purpose of the meeting He took for his subject "The Reunited sec- tions.
 Monument Unveiled.
 As MT. Watterson ceased speaking two little boys stepped out, pulled two strings and the flags which had lovingly shroud- ed the great monument fluttered and fell away. There was an instant's silence, a tribute to the life-like representation of the famous southern soldier then one spontaneous cheer burst forth from the throats of the thousands grouped around it. while above the cheers came the boom of the artillery salute.
 The two little boys who unveiled the statue were John G. A4ee and Lee Har- rison, grandsons of General Lee, while the generals son, Blewett Lee of Chi- cago, stood at their side and directed them.
 When the noisy enthusiasm had died down a bit Gen. Clement A. Evans, com mander in chief of the Confederate vet erans, formally presented the statue to the federal government on behalf of the people of Mississippi and the Confederate veterans.
 Applause For Grant.
 When General Evans finished and Colonel Watterson arose to present Gen. eral Grant, who had been delegated by the Secretary of War to receive the statue, a storm of applause broke out and continued for nearly 20 minutes. 1t seemed as though the old gray-haired and gray-clad soldiers had gone mad In their demonstration of welcome and affection for the son of the man who accepted their surrender. Colonel Watterson smiled and shrugged his shoulders as much as to say, You see, he needs no introduction,' and sat down.
 The big general in his cool and snowy uniform of white. the twin stars of 6 HlbJoF general SnlninS out upon ms collar. stood mute and immobie on the platform. It was evident that he was deeply touched and he controlled his emotions with great trouble.
 His hands clinched and eyes filled with tears as he waited for the demonstration to subside. And when silence was re- stored and he began to speak, there was a very noticeable tremor in his voice, while Mrs. Grants eyes were filled with unshed tears.
 Ties That Bind.
 After the second demonstration, which marked General Grants concluding words, had subsided the Vicksburg school chil- dren sang America" to a band accom- paniment. Then George R. Peck of Chi cago spoke feelingly of the splendid af- lection that bound together both north and south. The ceremonies closed with an invocation by the Rev. Sproles of Clin- ton, Miss.
 Governor Noel of Mississippi, Governor Sanders of Louisiana and their staffs were in attendance, as were a score or more of pretty sponsors and maids of honor, chaperoned by Governor Noel's wife.
 Immediately after the ceremonies special trains began to leave the city, carrying back to their homes the hosts of veterans and their families who came to honor the hero of the siege of Vicksburg.
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