The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1913-05-27
Thousands Of Gray-haired Soldiers
Gather on Famous Battlefield
to Recount Tales Of
the Past
GOVERNOR HOOPER
EXTENDS WELCOME
Eloquent Tribute isPaid to Old Sol
diers General Young Responds
for the Vets Gov. McCreary
Among the Speakers
Telegram BY United Press.

Telegram by United Press.
Chattanooga, Tenn, May 27.-The
half century old tales Of bloody car
mage and the bravery Of American slo-
diers were recounted here today when
veterans of battle above the clouds
on the slopes OF Lookout Mountain met
here in the greatest reunion Of the
United Confederate veterans since the
scars Of the Civil war were healed.
Twelve thousand tents are pitched
on the old battlefields today to accom-
modate the hosts Of gray haired vet
ears. The reunion opened today and
will eontiruo tomorrow and Thursday.
The program today Included welcome
addresses and responses and an adj
dress by Gov. James. B. McCreary
OF Kentucky.
In welcoming the Confederate re-
union on behalf Of the state Of Ten.
nessee, GOV. Ben, W. Hooper said in
part:
4 deem II the proud privilege Of a
lifetime to welcome to Tennessee soil
the venerable survivors Of the worlds
greatest war From the dawn Of his
tory down to the present hour, the
measured tread Of soldiery has echoed
upon the earth and the vibrant strains
OF martial music have stirred the
hearts Of men. There have been wars
just and unjust, wars necessary and
unnecessary, wars of cruel revenge, Of
selfish ACKNOWLEDGMENT and Of exalted
patriotism. Among all tile military
conflicts, ancient and modern, which
have. swept our planet with fire and
drenched it with blood none have pro-
duced more splendid samples Of mill
tary prowess and heroic valcr among
men and loyal devotion and uncom-
planning self-sacrifice among women
than the E&y between the states.
''The lengthened vista Of the CEN
turtles lends stature to Alexander, cae.
sar, Hannibal aud Napoleon. and in
vests with extraordinary splendof the
valiant deeds OF those who followed
them; but when history has obtained
the Just perspective Of Lee and Jack
son they will loom large among the
colossal military figures Of all time.
And. what is better still, they viii
stand supernal among the chieftains
of every race and cline, because they
entered the battle with prayers rather
than curses upon their lips There
could have been no such commanders
as these without such men as the
south furnished to the ranks Of the
Confederate armies.
I'VE. of this generation hieh has
come since the war Of the sixties.
should not forget that the soldiers on
both sides of that contest drank to the
bitter dregs a cup which had been pre-
pared Tor them before they were born
and which otherwise might have been
passed on to us. The war between the
states was an inherited war The
seeds Of Inevitable conflict had been
sown in our federal constitution at it's
very inception. and the aged men We
see here today were fatea to live 1T
time when these seeds should spring
up and bring forth their awful fruitage
Of Civil war.
you are gathered here today to
perpetuate the sacred memories Of the
past and to renew the comFadeship
began back in the days when your
steps were light, your eyes wera
bright, and the tide Of youthful hope
surged high in your courageous
breasts. No love save that arising
from the tenderest ties Of nature can
exceed the love Of a man for 8he com
rades who camped, messed marched.
fought. bled and suffered by his side.
No music can ever quicken the pulse
of the old soldiers like the calls Of a
bugle corps.
IN behalf Of every man, woman aud
child in the great volunteer stare.
welcome this reunion 0l Confederate