The Washington times., 1917-06-05
DIXIELAND SHOWS
PRIDE In NATION
Sons and Daughters Pledge
Support Of South.
WILSON'S NAME IS CHEERED
Drives Last Nail in Coffin Of Sec
tiOnaEsm, Says Bennett.

Sons and daughters OF DiXieland
pledged the support OF the South to
the United StEtes during the war with
Germany and forevermore at the
opening meeting of the Sons OF Con
federste Veterans at the Arcade last
night
Every patriots name brought forth
round after round OF applause. The
name OF Lincoln was cheered madly.
Each mention OF Woodrow Wilson,
"a son Of the South" brought forth
the widest enthusiasm from the hun
dreds OF veterans, sons and daughters
OF veterans there assembled.
From the invocation to benediction
the meeting expressed loyalty, and a
determination to fight the common
foe OF the United States.
Sees End Of seetIOnaIIsm.
The feeling Of the Southerners was
manifested during a speech OF Claude
n. Bennett, OF this city. chairman OF
the entertainment COMMITTEES.
This convention" said Mr.. Ben
nett. meeting as IL does in. the Ma
tional Capital. drives the last nail In
the coffin OF sectionalism-
But there will always be the love
Of the South among the Southern peo-
pie. Why shouldn't there be? They
have produced some OF the most Illus
trous men of the world. George
Washington was a Virginian. and"
continued Mr.. Bennett, Woodrow
Wilson is a native of DiXieland-"
With one accord the gray-clad vet
Grams, with their sons and their
daughters, arose to their feet, making
the very rafters OF the building
culver with their cheers. Hats OF the
soldiers OF the South were flung into
the air or were waved high on canes.
Women tossed their handkerchiefs.
Cheers Patriots
Every speaker before and following
Mr.. Bennett needed but to mention
the name OF Robert z. Lee, George
Washington. Abraham Lincoln. Wood
row Wilson, or any of the other
heroes Of the nation and the large
audience would acclaim him.
Every speech had for its theme the
unification of tAe country. and they
rang with expressions of the justifca-
ton OF the entrance OF the United
States in the war.
Mayor Mitchell OF New York, Cow
ernors Stuart OF Virginia. and Man
ming OF North Carolina were expect
ed to address the meeting, but were
prevented from attending because of
registration duties.
Senator Duncan U. Fletcher of Flor
ida and Congressman Pat" Harrison
OF Mississippi were the principal
speakers
In a melodious mixture OF Irish
brogue and Southern accent, Con-
gresham Harrison, in behalf OF ev-
cry Confederate veteran and every
child OF the South. pledged every
silver of property and every drop OF
blood. should it be necessary. to the
United States, that German autocracy
could be overthrow.
Must Fight To Victory.
THE war must be fought to the
end, no matter how bitter IL might
be-" declared Senator Fletcher. an
the present struggle IL Is not diff
cult TO understand where America
should stand. And interviewer with
that stand will be the sons OF Con-
federate veterans"
Other speakers included W. E.
Brockman. commandeT-in-chiefo OF the
District OF Columbia chapter, Sons OF
Confederate Veterans: z. W. r
Ewing. commander of the washing
ton camp of Sons OF Confederate
Veterans: ]. Garrett King. OF Fred
ericksburg, Va, commander OF the
North Nirginian department.: Ernest
q. Baldwin, OF Roanoke, Va, com
of the Sons of Con
federats Veterans; Mrs. W. J. Behan.
OF New Orleans, president general of
the COnfederated Southern Memorial
and Clarence J. Owens.
of Riverdale. Nd, past commander
in-chief OF the Sons of Confederate
Veterans.
The Rev. Henry w. Battle, chaplain
in-chief OF the s. c. V, gave the in
vocation, and the Rev. A R. Bird
chaplain of the Washington Sons of
Veterans, the benediction.
Mrs. Osborne Sings "DIxie."
Prior to and during the meeting, a
section OF the Marine Band played
many of the old Southern melodies.
with the 'Star-Spangled
Banner"
Dressed in the gray OF their faith
ers, the Confederate choir sang a
number of war ballads of the South.
Mrs. Hampton Osborne. of Ports.
mouth. ' a. leo lne Singing OF
pixie" and several other songs.
One song which caused the veterans
to rock with laughter and applaud
was III You Want To
Have a Good Time. 'JiEe' the Cav
airy" While singing, Mrs. Osborne
waved a small Confederate flag, one |
Of the few in the hall prOfusely dec
grated with flags and bunting.
An ovation which nearly reached |
the outhurst accorded the mention /
Of the name OF President Wilson, was
given Mary Custis Lee. daughter OF
the leader OF the Southern forces. |
While the Marine Band played Dixie |
and everyone present arose to his !
feet. Miss Lee bowed but did not I
speak.
4 number OF sponsors, matrons. !
and maids of honor from the various I
states below the Mason and Dixon /
line were on the platform.