Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1911-05-25

for a reunion of the Men in Gray, the
twenty-nrst annual reunion OF the
United Confederate Veterans was
formally opened at the Auditorium, on
West Markham street, Tuesday morn
ing. with an attendance of probably
5000 people packed into the great nall
to witness the impressive ceremonies
and listen to the addresses OF welcome
with the hearty responses and kindly
thanks of those representing the vet
Grams.
Greetings from President Taft, to
which a message in kind was sent IN
response the annual grafton, which was
delivered by DR.. R. Lin Cave, OF st.
Louis, and the naming of committees
made up the first days proceedings OF
the convention of the United Confed'
crate Veterans. The death OF a veteran
w. E. Smith, of Cookville, Tex'-CaSV
a gloom over Camp Shaver.
The address of Gen. James F.. Smith,
commanding the Arkansas division, open
ing the convention, was brief lie re.
ferred to the events of the war OF
1s61-65, the days of reconstruction, the
organization Of the veterans and the
twsnty-one years history Of that Or
ganiEation.
The next address was by Gov. George
w. Donaghey Of Arkansas.
Veterans of the Confederacy-More
than half a century after the beginning
of the war between the states, thousands
upon thousands of people have come here
from all parts of the South to honor the
| Confederate soldiers. Hundreds OF thou
sands who cannot be here join us IN
paving this tribute Of our affection
Those not here in person are here In
spirit, and all over the Sunny South the
hearts of the people are turned today to
This CITY. where are now gathered to-
pether more soldiers Of the Contederacy
than will ever again be assembled IN
This world. You are worthy OF the
honor. +,
"In behalf Of the people Of this great
state, l bid you welcome to Arkansas
We are delighted to honor you, not only
for the bravery you exhibited on
hundred battlefelds, but for the no les
splendid courage you manifested IN the
hour of disaster and defeat.
81 shall not undertake to discuss thv
various causes that led you to organize
the Confederate government. Your cas-
has been stated with unanswerabl'
logic by Mississippi's great statesman
JeHerson Davis. Nor need l stop t.
90 over in detail the history Of you
great struggle, the battles lost, the vic
tories won. Suffice it to say tina
though greatly o%utnumbered, you main
tanned your cause through four lon
and weary years.
Generations yet unborn will b
thrilled with the recital Of your herol
deeds and your devotion to liberty WI
stand forever as an inspiration to MAJ
, kind. When the future historian sha
, write the name of those who won IN
. mortality in that great struggle, our b.
loved state will contribute its share I
the list of hoonrs. History will kee
alive the names of the generals and con
handing officers. But what OF the pr
. yate soldier. humble, unknown to fam
who went forth to battle that his coul
try might be freel Upon every Souther
state there rests the imperative oblig
ton to procure the name OF every Oh
. Of its Confederate soldiers and preser'
+ the sacred roll in its archives forever
Other speakers included Prof. Juni'
is Jordan. in behalf Of the Arkansas We
If Grams; Mayor Charles E. Taylor of Ii
Il tie Rock for the city, and Col. Georl
ID l. Basham, commander of Omer
S Weaver Camp of veterans, Little Roc
IL To these addresses, through which n
the spirit of civic pride and desire
le accord honor to the old soldiers, the
=, ply was made by the commanders
as chief, Gen. George w. Gordon, W
o praised the city for its hospitality a
ia the manner in which its offering h
been accomplished.
.u "Your generosity overwhelmS us" 50
Gen. Gordon.
DIR. R. G. Cave, of st. Louis, deliver
Id the annual grafton to the conventit
ny The speaker began with a tribute to I
90 South, he discussed the memories kt
u, alive by reunions of the veterans a
90 their descendants, he deplored any
~ forts to keep alive bitter sectional ft
.ar ing, and said;
II most earnestly desire to see
people Of both sections ruled by
spirit Of fraternity and harmoniou
working together for the welfare of
w common country; but l do not tn
the men Of the South should be asl
up. or expected to sacrifice the truth OF
tory, and 60 down to posterity bran
q3. ma rebels and traitors to secure t
M end"
les When the Confederacy fell, accord
els to DR.. Cave, the republic as founded
Inc the fathers perished, the states "
robbed of their independence and
came subject provinces of a central
national authority, "and they tell
that this is best, and it may be so;
beseech you to pardon an old {
federate soldier, who is perhaps bin
by memories that sometimes fill
err eyes with tears, If he can not see it
Ills and believing, as history teaches,