Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-06-03
General Thomas F. Berry,
of Oklahoma, Driven
From Rostrum
YOUNG is REELECTED.
Attempt to Revive Disproved Chargse
Meets General Disapprobation of
The Convention.

Richmond, June 3-Attack yeSter
day afternoon before the convention
of the United Confederate Veteran
by General Thomas F. Berry, o
Oklahoma, on the name and militar.
reputation of General Bennett H
{ Young, lying at the point of deats
in Cleveland hospital, brought un
enlisted support to General Young
and so violent was the opprobrlum
heaped on the head Of the incrimina
tor that he was driven from the ros'
trum and practically forced from the
hall.
General Young was reelected COM
mander-in-chief of the United Con-
federate Veterans against the other
nominee, General Felix Fl. Robertson
commander of the Texas Division by
a vote of 1,166 to 5S4. 1t was Gene
raj Bery's violent words that helped
turn the tide in favor Of the sick
commander.
As he began speaking and refer
ring to story that is old in the an
nails of the Confederacy, as he narrat-
ed again the tale of General Young's
invasion from Canada of New York
town, the old soldiers caught the
trend of his remarks, and Berry was
literally shouted down. He was
caught in the echo of his own vio-
lent outburst, and his voice was
drowned in the uproar ls: which f'9.t- fol-
lowed.
"Stop him! Down with him." the
white faced veterans cried.
81 won't stop, General Berry yell
led. "Ill tell you the truth if | have
to, shed my blood for it," General
George P. Harrison, who has been
presiding for General Young, at
tempted to regain order, But order
then was as impossible as it was
when the Tower of Babel was IN ITS
building.
"Ill tell you," shouted General Ber-
w. "of Young"s raid from Canada IN
to St. Alban's, N. VI but only those
ON the rostrum heard him. The audi
torium broke into pandemonium, and
General Harrison, laying down a
heavy gavel time and time agaln,
called to General Young's detraeto'
that he was out of order.
"The proceedings are out OF or
der" said General Harrison, his face
ablaze with anger. "You are out OF
order, General Berry, in thus at
tacking Confederate veteran behind
his back"
81 will speak," uttered Berry; but
his further words were drowned in
the noise of the rebel cry. As the
speaker put on his hat General J
H. Curry, of North Carolina, sprane
to his feet and shouted: 81 move that
the man who would make such a
charge be expelled from the assoeia-
tion," His motion was never put,
There was too much babel and con-
fusion for his motion to call for i'm
mediate heed. General Berry triet
aoain to make himself heard, but
when he met the shaking finger anc
the accusing eyes of General Harrl
son he left the stand and departed
from the auditorium.
81 must invoke the authority invest
ed in me-" said the temporary com
noander-in-chief. This must cease
We must have order. | call on all 0
won 70 help me restore this meetin
to order. l have never seen Su"
disorder before"
Mbs;c was finally invoked, and un
der its suasive influence the veteran
returned to calm, and the bushes
was continued.
Before this outburst coming as d
anti-climax to a meeting which nd
been filled with all the fiery enth'
siasm, of Confederate soldiers, birn
ingham, Ala, had been unanimous
voted for as the convention city
1916. The invitation was delivered D
Congressman Thomas NJ. Hefin, c
Alabama, whq reminded 'Richmon'