The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-18
VETERANS MEET NEXT AT MACON Gen. Gordon Is Reelected
 Commander-in-C Chief SEND TAFT MESSAGE
 .Er- Parade :: $ Place Today, Followed
 By ,Se. Great Confederate oyel To Be Held At the Auditorium
SEND TAFT MESSAGE

1 Q
 l .le Rock, May 17.-Macon, Ga, wa! C.. en today by the United Confederat' Veterans as the next reunion city at th' annual encampment of the old soldiers The following officers were reelected Commander in chief. Gen. George W Gordon, Memphis. Tenn.
 Department commanders: Army oi Northern Virginia, Lieut.. Gen. c. IT, vine Walker, Charleston, S. c. Army of Tennessee Lieut.. Gen Ben nett H. Loung.i Louisville Ky. Trans Mississippi department Lieut. Gen. K M. Van zandt. Fort Worth Tex.
 Seven cities sought the reunion nex' year Adjt Gen. William E. Mickle read invitations from Macon, Houston, Jack sonville, Louisville, Chattanooga, Tenn. Fresno, Cal, and Atlantic City, N. J When the vote was announced Macon had long lead, with Houston second The count showed, however, that Ma con had only plurality of the votes cast. General Van Zandt ruled that q majority vote was necessary and on the second ballot MacoI. won A mo- tion by Col. B. F. Paddock of Fort Worth that the election be made unan- imous carried
 With the election of officers and the selection of the next encampment city the business session of the veterans ended. Tomorrow the parade will take place. followed in the evening by the last scheduled event of this reunion the Confederate ball. which will be held at the auditorium.
 Today the veterans put the stamp of their approval on the telegram sent earlier to President Taft in response to his greeting to the gathering. Through Adjutant General Mickle the message was made official It was for mulated by g. confmittee composed of General Gordon, General Van zandt Gen Bennett H. Young, Gen. T. w. Castleman, Gen. Irvine Walker and Gen. J. r. Smith.
 Message To Taft
 It read: The United Confederate Veterans association assembled at Lit tie Rock. Ark. in annual convention, representing the Confederate survivors of the war between the states, desire to express their appreciation of the kindly telegram sent by you.
 Viewed from either a personal or an official standpoint, it brings to the asso- ciEtion greatest pleasure. It speaks vol umes for the breadth .and generosity of the sentiments the American people now hold of the gigantic conflict of 1S61-65, and the universal recognition that the men of the south fought for what they esteemed great principle and which they backed by unfalterng courage.
 This feeling plays a most important part in the restoration of that perfect memory and confidence felt both by the north and the south. As brave men we are not unmindful of either the courage or pa triotism of the federal armies. As of our own soldiers, we emphasize the achievements of those who followed the Stars and Stripes.
 ''No patriot would change the spirit of peace and unbounded faith felt by all Americans in the superb destiny of the republic and which fills the hearts of all true men in every part of our country.
 .Intensely loyal to the memory of our gallant and chivalrouo Confederate dead, we cheerfully accord those with whom we battled due praise for what they dii in the course of the most dreadful war of TI1OueTH tlIHcs.
 .As Confederates we cannot forget the splendid sentiments which prompted you while Secretary of War to set aside in Arlington cemetery a lot for the burial of our deceased comrades who died in prison or fell in the vicinity of Washing ton. nor can we fail to think gratefully of your appointment of many of our dis tinguished sons to high office. In your association with the southern people you have always manifested spirit which has won ou resteem and which assures you of a welcome in the southland of the has won our esteem and which assures that the spirit and sentiment of your mes sage are fully appreciated by every Twin. Confederate"
 The Texas standard of the United Con- federate Veterans was brought to tho platform during the memorial exercises today. and after the flag had been draped in mourning Charles M. Meng of Dallas eulogized the life, character and achieve ments of the late Gen. W. L. Cabell Other events at the memorial service included a brief address by the chaplain general. who opened the service; poem s.The Confederate Soldier" written and read by Father P. F. Grammar of Dallas a funeral dirge read by Mrs. Virginis Frazier Boyle, and an address by tht Rev H. w. Smith, pastor of the Second Presbyterian church of Little Rock.