The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-16
LITTLE ROCK READY FOR THE VETERANS Taft Sends a Message Of Greeting to "The Boys GUESTS CROWD CITY Convention Opens Today and Will
 Last Through Wednesday.
 Boys Are Passing Away"
 Says General Gordon

Little Rock, Ark May 15.-With the ar rival of 10000 persons in Little Rock to- day, a session of the Confederate South ern Memorial association this afternoon and meeting of the United Sons of Con federate veterans tonight. the twenty first annual reunion of the United Con- federate Veterans only awaits tomorrow morning to be in full swing. Three thou sand and five hundred veterans are quar- tered tonight at Camp Shaver, as guests of the city, and hundreds more are ex- pected tomorrow to fill the 7ooo tents which have been provided for them
 Gen George w. Gordon of Memphis, commander-in-ch of the organization, arrived tonight and will preside over the first session tomorrow morning in the au- ditorium. Twelve brass bands will give a concert, the commander will deliver his annual address and the reunion will be on.
 Mayor Charles E. Taylor of Little Rock and Congressman Joe T. Robinson of Lonoke delivered addresses of welcome this afternoon before the women who compose the Southern Memorial associa- ton. The sessions were held in the city hall The mos, important action taken by the association was the adoption of a resolution asking General Gordon to allow the women an active part In the deliber- ations of the veterans at reunions.
 The first session of the Sons of Veterans was held tonight in the Young Mems Christian association hall.
 On the eve of the reunion the following message came from President Taft, to be read when the first session is convened: The White House, Washington, D. C..
 May 15, 1911.
 "The Confederate Veterans who are now assembled In Little Rock, I send heartiest greetings and express the hope that they will have a pleasant and successful reunion.
 "The men of the Confederate army fought for a principle which they be- lieved to be right and for which they were willing to sacrifice their lives their homes-in fact, all those things which men hold most dear. As We rec ognize their heroic services, so they and their descendants must honor the services rendered by the gallant sons of the north in the struggle for the pres eryation of the union. The contending forces of nearly half a century ago have given place to a united north and south and to an enduring union, in whose responsibilities and glorious destiny we equally so gratefully share.
 During my visits south 1t has grat- fled me greatly to see those who fought for the blue and those who fought for the gray mlngle together, worship the old flag and feel a common pride In the deeds of heroism that were dis played in the civil war. One of the most pleasant Incidents of my visits through the south was the evident de- sire on the part of its people to con- firm to the world that we are getting closer and closer together.
 q congratulate the south on the wonderful progress which 1t Is now making and on the spirit of civic pride which 1t is displaying.
 CIVILIAN il. TAFT"
 The convention will open tomorrow with addresses of welcome and responses. In the afternoon the annual oration will be delivered by Dr. R. c. Cave of St. Louis. On Wednesday the real business will be taken up, when reports of the various committees will be read and considered. Officers will be elected and the next meeting place will be chosen.
 On Thursday the parade of veterans will take place. Gen. George W. Cor don, the commander-in-chief, arrived to- day from Memphis.
 "The time will come when Confederate reunions will be held no more,' said General Gordon. "The boys are passing away rapidly-at the rate Of more than 5000 a year To the best of my knowl- edge there are about 100000 of us left. You can well judge how many there will be 10 years hence"