The Robesonian., 1917-06-07
PRESIDENT WELL
COMES VETERANS

Largest Reunion iu I ONT of Attend
ance Ever Held--Patriotic Demon
tration Led by Veterans-Welcomed
by G.. A. r.
Washi- ton Disoat h June 5.
Vtteoa ans and p:s,tors in Washirs-
ton by the thousands for the 9th
annual reunion Of the United Confed-
crate Veterans joined today in CIV
ing President Wilson a great ova-
ton when he welcomed the soldiers
of Dixie to the nations capital and
told them that the country was be-
ginning to understand that one Of the
purposes Of Providence in keeping
the nation united was for the oppor-
tunity now before America to fight
for liberty and mankind.
United Country Re-Dedicated
His declaration that the day was
one of gladness because of the sac
red memories, and of re-dedication
of a united country to those princi-
pies that have made America great
among the nations of the earth, was
greeted by the veterans with a rous-
ing cheer.
The geat hall in which the Pres
ident spoke was filled with thous-
ands 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 SOL
the beloved airs of the South, and
IL, Svo&1 ioO
the "Rebel yell' would go ringing
through the hall. The Confederate
choir from Portsmouth, Va, dressed
in gray Confederate jackets, sang
eff You Want to Have a Good Time
Join the Cavalry" maryland, My
Maryland" and other tunes to which
the young men Of the South marched
to battle in the sixties.
Nearly 1000 Veterans Present
The number Of veterans here is
estimated at nearly 1000 and the
tents provided for them in the Union
station plaza could not accommodate
all Of the late-comers and nearby
buildings had to be utilized. Offic-
ials who have charge of arrange
ments for the accommodations esti-
mate the attendance as one of the
largest gathered in Washington in
some time. Many of the leaders de-
clare this the largest reunion in point
Of attendance of visitors, ever held.
The presentation of United States
flag to General Harrison at the in
itial meeting of the Confederate Vet
Grams by Colonel Andrew Cowan, of
the G. A. R., was the signal of pa
triotic demonstration led by the vet
Grams 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.
Telling of his four years at the
i Georgia Military academy, where he
| learned to love the Stars and Stripes,
General Harrison said:
"For four years learned to love
another flag, the Stars and Bars,
| which you have truly said, was borne
| with honor through the war and furl.
ed with. honor at the end. And, $50
i long as red blood flows in our veins
We will cherish its heroic and tefdel
memories. Now that the war Of See
tions has ended and our country is
again united, my love for Old Glory
has returned and we who wore the
gray now stand side by side with yor
who wore the blue in fighting fo- lib
erty and human rights whenever ane
wherever our country calls" :
Welcomed by G. A. R.
| Corporal James Tanner, who serv
ed in the Union army as a membe
of New York regiment, and wa
wounded at the battle of Second Ma
nassas, welcomed the Confederates i,
the name Of the Grand Army of tn,
Republic, of which he is a forme
commander. He was received by th
Veterans who stood and gave thre
hedrs, @and his references TO The
mutual respect and esteem existin,
today between the former foe
brought applause.
| Colonel Robert E. Lee, grandson O
the South's chieftain, declared in hi
address that the sons of the men o.
the North and South would emulat,
the example Of their fathers and
serve their country in any capacit,
in which they are called.