Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-05-16
HEARTILY WELCOMED

Decided Opposition Manifested tt
Suggestion That This May be Last
| Gathering
Birmingham, Ala, May 16-Senti,
lment among the thousands of Con-
federate Veterans who arrived here
yesterday for their twenty-sixth an
nual reunion, which opened today
seemed distinctly opposed to the sug-
gestion that this might be the last
gathering of its kind, and bidding
for the reunion next years has al
ready become spirited.
"Welcome meetings" were held by
the United Sons of Confederate Vet
erans and the Confederate Sons Me.
mortal Association, nearly forty spe-
cial trains having arrived with vlsl-
tors within the past twenty-four
hours. Most of the twenty bands
which reached here in the course of
the day were Immediately pressed in
to service to assert the claims of the
various cities seeking the next re-
union. Memphis, Tenn, and Tulsa,
Okla, are the leading rivals, and it
is believed that Washington, d. c.,
will he contender later.
General Bennett H. Young, of
Louisville, Ky.v commander-in-chief
of the Veterans, who with his staff
arrived early in the dayfi declared he
is not an active candidate for re-elec-
ton. General George P. Harrison,
commander-in-chief of the Alabama
delegates of the Army of the South,
is the most outspoken as"the success
sor of General Young.
Governor Henderson, of Alabama;
Mayor Ward, of this city, and Major
w. j. Behan, president general of
the Confederate Southern Memorial
Association, welcomed the visitors at
an afternoon meeting yesterday.
Greetings also were given by Cen
eral Young, w. N. Brandon, of Ar
kansas, commander-in-chief of the
Sons of Veterans, and Mrs. Frank G.
Odenheim, president-general of the
United Daughters of the Confederacy
Birmingham was prepared to care
fore the largest number of visitors in
it's history. Every effort has been
made to provide for the comfort of
the old soldiers. In addition to the
thousands of tents spread out over
the big fair grounds, hundreds of
private homes have been thrown open
to them.
Numerous social functions will be
given in honor of The veterans and
visitors. The concluding feature Of
the three day encampment will be
a big ball.
A movement is on to name Mont
gomery, "the cradle of the Confed-
eracy", as the city in which the last
of the reunions shall be held whether
next year or later. Citizens of that
city are behind the movement, which
is an outgrowth of the suggestion that
the present reunion may be the last
to be held.
The sessions of the reunion were
held in the Bijou Theatre, commencing
at 10 o'clock this morning. Richard
w. Massey, chairman OF the local.
entertainment committee called the
gathering to order, and Rev. j. W.
Bachman, chaplain-general of the vet
trans, delivered the invocation.
General John G.. Smith, commander
of the Fourth Alabama Brigade, rep
resenting the Birmingham veterans
delivered the opening address. Presl'
dent George B. Ward. city commits
sioner responded for the city; X.
w. Bush, president, for the Blrmlng'
ham Chamber of Commerce; j. ASS
Rountree, in behalf of the sons Of
Confederate Veterans; Mrs. Chap
pell Cory, in behalf of the United
Daughters of the Confederacy; Charl
es Henderson, Governor, in behalf o.
the State of Alabama, and Genera
George P. Henderson, commander o5
the Army of Tennessee. in behalf O.
Confederate veterans.
Robert A. Brown, chairman of th'
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