The Washington herald., 1917-05-23
Citizens Put Pep Into Con-
federate Reunion Plans at
Meeting of Local Finance
Committee.

Patriotism was on tap and projected
hospitality fairly sizzled at a gathering
Of Congressman, editors. newspaper men
and representative citizens in the grid
iron room of the New Willard Hotel yes
terdsy afternoon.
The meeting was called by Chairman
Fl. P. Cary, of the finance committee of
the Confederate Veterans reunion, to be
held in this city in two weeks In the
calling OF this meeting announcement
was made that the principal purpose was
to arouse enthusiasm in the twenty-sev-
enth annual reunion Of the United Con-
federate Veterans, to be held here from
June to s. John G. Capers, who presid-
ed at the meeting. announced that 1t was
desired to inject more pep in the con-
summation Of the great gathering of the
men in gray.
Representative Patrick Harrison, of
Mississippi was called upon and he pre-
dicted that the Confederates who attend
ter time than they have ever had at
any previous reunion. He said the event
would be epochaL
The people Of Washington should open
their hearts and their purses for this
reunion of the venerable Confederate
Veterans" said Representative J. w.
Ragsdale, Of South Carolina. There is
i
would not be willing to pay any price
for the privilege OF having the reunion.
Training Camp Object Lesson.
AT Fort Myer, on the Virginia Hills,
outside Of this city, there is presented an
object lesson today that should be emu
lated by all There, in training to serve
their country in the great war of today,
are the sons of those who wear the blue
and sons of those who wear the gray,
mingling in their common American her
itage The citizens of Washington and
the entire country should unite to make
this Confederate reunion a great occa-
sion. The last vestage of sectionalism
will be wiped out when these Southern
soldiers come to the Capital Of their re-
united country and will cary a great les
son to the democracy of the world"
Representative Ragsdale, in his enthu-
siasm over the outcome of the gathering
here June 4, suggested that the District
of Columbia should take money out of
its own municipal treasury to pay the
incidental expenses. as this Is the capital
OF all of the people and all the people
should be intensely interested in the re-
union of the men in gray and their COM
radely greeting by the men in blue. In
conclusion he urged that the people of
Washington will hold out the proper
hand of hospitality to the veterans from
Dixie" and those who accompany them.
Graves Asks Enthusiasm.
Col. John Temple Graves, known as the
golden voiced orator of the South, said
that this gathering of men will be a
contribution to the spirit of nationalism
and patriotism.
"In this great emergency we are one
people," he said, "and the sight of these
Confederate veterans will present a won
o1h vF&k,
the men in blue as they march under one
fag-and that flag the stars and Stripes
They present a picture of a reunited peo-
pie.
Mass Meeting Suggested.
'T urge the citizens of Washington to
put more enthusiasm into this reunion,
which will be a wonderful thing he
said Col. Graves painted several vivid
word pictures of the reunion and dweit
upon the patriotic effect it would have
not only upon the people of the United
States, but on the entire world.
Representative John Fl. Small, OF North
Carolina, declared that it is encumbent
upon those who live here to make well
come the old veterans of the Confederate
army, that their reunion may be a happy
one.
| 1t was suggested that a great mass
meeting be held in this city in the next
few days to raise interest to the highest
pitch in the welcoming of the men from
the South. 1t was predicted that nearly
every member of Congress would spare
time from the exigencies of the war sit
uation TO attend such a gathering
] Among those attending the meeting
were: Ira E. Bennett. editor of the
Washington Post; Theodore w. Noyes,
editor of the Star; F. A. Walker, of the
Washington Times; F. A. Emery, of the
Associated Press; E. c. Rogers, of The
Washington Herald, and representatives
! of other newspaper associations; Hon
Claude A. Swanson, Hon. H. d. Flood,
Col. H. A. Herbert, Capt. c. c. Calhoun,
Milton E. Allies, Gen. Thomas NJ. Miller,
of New Orleans. La, and w. F. GUIDE.