The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-06
MEN FROM DIXIE
 GIVEN WELCOME
 IN WASHINGTON Attendance at Reunion Is Largest in History of Or ganization-G. A. R.
 Members Mingle

Washington, June 5.--veterans and visi- tors in Washington by the thousands for tue enty-seventh annual reunion of the United Confederate Veterans joined to- day in giving President Wilson a great ovation when he welcomed the soldiers of Dixie to the nations capital and told them that the country was beginning to understand that one of the purposes of Providence in keeping the nation united was for the opportunity now before America to fight for liberty and man kind. His declaration that the day was one of gladness because of the sacred memories and of a rededication of a united country to those principles that tions of the earth was greeted by the veterans with a rousing cheer.
 THOUSANDS TURNED AWAY
 The great hall in which the President spoke was filled with thousands and twice that many more had to be turned away because of the lack of room. While waiting for the President the veterans and visitors cheered the various leaders as they came on the platform. The Marine band kept the old soldiers in a joyous humor by playing the beloved airs of the south and each time they swung into Dixie" the rebel yell'' would go ringing through the hall. A group of young men from Portsmouth, Va, dressed in gray Confederate Jackets, sang. If You Want to Have Good Time Jine the Cavalry Maryland. My Maryland" and other tunes to which young men of the south marched. to bat tie in the sixties.
 The number of veterans here is esti- mated at nearly 70O0, and the tents pro- vided for them on the Union station plaza could not accommodate all of the late corners and nearby buildings had to be utilized. Officials who have charge os arrangements for the accommodations estimate the attendance as one of the la gest gathered in Washington in some time
 Many of the leaders declare this the largest reunion, in point of attendance of visitors. ever held. The presentation Ol d OiItcQ otdtCS Iic6 " 0CHSA di Ildi . rson at the annual meeting of Con- feoerate veterans by Col. Andrew Cow an of the Grand Army of the Republic. was the signal of a patriotic demonstra- ton led by the veterans and in which the women and visitors who packed the hall to the doors heartily joined. The Stars and Stripes were hung side by side with the Stars and Bars behind the pre- siding officer and will remain there throughout the reunion.
 HARNISON'S SPEECH
 ls Telling of his four years at the Geor- 1 gia military academy, where he learned I to love the Stars and Stripes, General Harrison said For four years learned l to love another flag, the Stars and Bars, which, you have truly said. was borne with honor through the war and furled | with honor at the end. And, so long as red blood flows in our veins, we will cherish its heroic and tender memories. l Now that the war of sections has e1dec and our country is again united, my love 1 for old Glory has returned and we who wore the gray now stand side by side Wltn you Who "ofo ene piue III hsht- l ing for liberty and human rights when ever and wherever our country calls.'' James. Tanner. who served in the Union army as a member of a New York regiment& and was wounded at l the skcond bAttle of Manassas. well l comed the Confederates in the name of
 the Grand Army of the Republic of which he Is a former commander Hc was received by the veterans who stood and gave three cheers. and his Ireferences to the mutual respect and
 tcertsssed on Fare TAses>