The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1911-08-24
VETERANS Ca" GAs", q
OLD HEROES OF LOSE CAUSE
MEET AGAIN IN COLUMBIA.
The Reunion Opened Tuesday With
Enthusiasm-Many Speeches We're
Made to the Old Gray Veterans.

AtStuC " SlIC o1o SANAcs
The white-haired men who repre-
sent all that remain of the strength
and skill of the Confederacy, the
gray uniforms, the tattered flags and
the Southern red and white which
the sponsors are wearing. it seems
that all these have had stronger ap-
peal at the reunion at Columbia,
which opened Tuesday thar ever be-
fore, and have put Columbia more
completely than ever before in the
hands of the Confederate veterans.
The theatre was packed for the
opening session Tuesday morning.
The "bald head" row extended right
straight on back to the very doors,
for the entire orchestra was given ov-
er to the men of thinned and thin
ming locks; the balcony and even the
gallery were crowded, and upon the
stage were assembled the command
ing officer of the South Carolina di-
vision with staff; the commanders
of the two brigades and their staffs;
the sponsors and the maids of hon
or; the officers of the South Carolina
division, Sons CT Veterans, and the
speakers of the occasion.
The appearance of Gen. c. Irvine
Walker, commander in chief of the
United Confederate Veterans, was the
signal for an outburst of applause
from the audience The presence In
the hall of Gen. Walker was an
nounced by Robert w: Shane, pre-
siding as chairman of the executive
committee, who requested the dis
tinguished guest of the reunion to
come forward and take his place at
the front of the stage.
When Lieut.. Col. F. o. e. Curtis,
D D., division chaplain, had invoked
the divine blessing upon this reunion
MIR. Shand welcomed the old soldiers
and the Sons of Veterans In behalf OF
the veterans of Columbia, and the
orchestra, striking up a medley OF
southern airs, set to music the words
of welcome and made the visitors at
home.
introduced by MT. Shand the may
or of Columbia, W. HAMPTON Gibbes
then in cordial greetings turned ov-
er the new Columbia" to the heroes
of so years ago and Of today. On be-
half Of the Sons of veterans then
Francis H. Weston came for
ward and extended cordial greetings
and welcome to "the hallowed bands
of Confederate veterans"
Judge Robert Alirich. of Barnwell,
an old veteran was the orator of the
day. His subject was: Why did
the South Fail to Establish Her IN
dependence He analyzed the situ-
ations at Shiloh, at Fredericksburg,
at Charlottesville. at the Wilder
ness and at Spottsylvania court house
to show that the South had victory
we'll within grasn. Then he return
ed to the question, Why did not the
South succeed? Col. Aldrich gave
his answer to the problem in this
sentence, with which he concluded
his speech: when you look back
and weigh the influences and situa-
tions and conditions" said he, with
an earnestness which seemed to be di-
rected at each old soldier individual
", 81 tell you that no Yankee beat
vou-Cod beat you!" And thus he
voiced the belief that the outcome OF
the war-the surrender of the South
was the working out of the Divine
will-the decree of Providence Col.
Aldrich was applauded to the echo.