Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-17
SO Long as Handful Is Left,
They Will Have Their
Gatherings.
PROPOSAL is DISMISSED
WITH STORM OF PROTEST
south's Soldiers at Birmingham
Again Renew Allegiance
to Union.
PLEDGE GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Men Who Fought for Confederacy
Given Warm Welcome in
Alabama City.

BlRMiNGHAM, ALA, May l6-There
VIII be reunion Of the old confed-
crate soldiers as long as there Is a
handful left 10 reunite. according to
the sentiment expressed at the opening
session OF the twenty-sixth annual re-
: union OF the United Confederate Vet
Grams here to-day. The suggestion that
nc annual gatherings be discontinued
met with loud protests from the au-
d!ence which packed the Bijou Theater
10 suffocation
RENEW ALLEGIANCE
To STARS AND STRIPES
Before the speeches Of welcome and
response were we'll launched. General
" Hooper. of Selma, Ala, COM
'naNder Of the Alabama Division Of vet
er"nk. presented resolutions pledging
the old soldiers Of the South to the
government OF the United States They
We're adopted by rising vote. amid
scenes Of great enthusiasm. and a copy
was transferred 10 President Wilson
The resolutions were:
we, the United Confederate Vet
Grams. In reunion assembled at Birm-
ingham. do hereby again renew ard de-
clare our unfalter!ng allegiance TO the
this, It's hour OF great international
difficulties.
We took up arms against the gov
ernment. not as rebels. but TO protect
our homes and firesides, to preserve and
maintain the principles OF States
rights. and, although the arbitrament
of arms was against US, VIC lost
neither courage. our manhood. nor our
patriotism.
To-day the remnan; OF the armies
Of the Confederate States OF America
does hereby offer itself. its sons and
It's property upon the altar Of Il re-
united country, which we love and seek
10 s"rre. protect and defend.
We recommend that every man
citizen over sixteen years OF age re-
siding III the United States and its ter
r!,or!es be required 60 make immediate
report to the probate judge OF his
county or other like officer under
penalty of the law, and there swear
allegiance 10 this government, pledge
himself to Loyalty support the govern
rient against any and all foes, whether
internal or foreign, that may attempt
10 hinder, impede or destroy the rights.
property or liberty OF It's people"
General Hooper spoke In place of
General John G.. Smith, who was III!
MORE THAN 1000
OLD SOLDIERS At DINNER
Al the camp on the fair grounds
more than 5000 old soldiers were fed
"a, dinner to-day. The menu consisted
OF roast beef and brown gravy. pota-
toes. rice, break and coffee At the
hospital only sixteen were reported on
the sick list,
In the afternoon the veterans and
visitors heard AN address on The Con-
fede.ate Soldier" by John T. Gooirick,
and musica! program. A get
together occasion for the old soldiers
when. grouped under State banners,
they exchanged visits in Capitol Park,
was feature OF the first day.
Tonight the annual oratiou of the
veterans by Irwin s. Cobb. the we'll
known writer: a banquet TO the United
Daughters of the Confederacy by the
local members and the first OF the big
balls in compliment to the veterans.
sons, daughters, sponsors and maids
occupied attention.
RAIN BRINGS COMFORT TO
VETERANS AND VISITORS
Heavy rain during the nigh, had
made the temperature more comforta-
hle for the veterans and visitors when
to-day. The Bijou Theater. where the
meetings are heinG held. was packed
to sunocation when z. w. Massey
chairman Of the local program com
mittee. raped for order.
The "yip-yip" of the old war cry
responded to the strains of Dixie"
"Old Black joe" "Suwanec River" and
other melodies of the South a group
ia coll nf
singing old airs 'so attracted con-
siderable attention, and brought tears
to the eyes of many When a lively
iig was played two old women Of
seventy odd years brought n cheer
when they called on two old soldiers
TO Join them in a brea kdown dance.
Addresses of welcome by city and
State officials and responses on hehalf
of the visitors made up the morning
program, with the address Of General
Rennett Fl. Young, commanding general
of veterans. the leading feature. The
Invocation was delivered by Rev. j. w.
Rarhman, of Chattanooga, Tenn. chap
lain general Of the organization. Songs
by United Confederate choirs also
formed part of the program.
Tho report of the committee on cre-
dentlals showed there were nearly 800
camps In good standing, with 1850
votes represented in the convention
It was stated that the annual decrease
in membership due to death averaged
IL per cent.
YOUNG PAYS TRIBUTE
/. TO GLORY Of ALABAMA
In responding TO the welcomes, Cen
eral Young declared IL was unneces-
sary for the city to go TO SO much
lContinued on Second Paga)