The Semi-weekly leader., 1919-07-12

Ii was estimated that fully two
thousand people, Civil War Veterans,
Sons of Veterans, members of the U.
ID. c., and guests OF the three-day
Reunion of the Mississippi Division
u. C. ", and Sons of Veterans were
in attendance at Brookhaven.
The formal ceremonies opened at
1902. M, Wednesday, at the Lamp
ton Auditorium. The audience was
composed of the old lighters Of "61"
and Sons of Veterans and U. d. c.,
and Brookhaven residents and visit
ors.
The 29th U. 8. Infantry Band Of
Camp Shelby opened the program
with Dixie" the old vets cheering
with much enthusiasm.
The Chorus OF the Confederate
Choir sang "The Star Spangled Ban
ner."
The meeting was called to order by
the Master of Ceremonies, J. w. Nc
gfath, who announced that owing to
the absence of Rev. J. A. Taylor, the
Rev. r. III. Purser, Of Magnolia,
would pronounce the Invocation.
Next the Confederate Choir sang
Lord God, We Worship Thee"
The master of ceremonies then in
troduced the Mayor Of the City, Hon.
r. S. Butler, who gave the old Vet
erans the keys of the city and wished
them the happiest time OF their lives
while in the city of Brookhayen.
During the speech someone brought
cluster of Allied flags. about twen-
ty-five in number, and placed them
on the stage. Mayor Butler is vet
eran of the Spanish-American war
and his eulogy of those who made
the great sacrifice in the wars was
very touching and held the audience
in wrapt attention. His closing re-
marks as to the Confederates return
ing to their homes full of glory
not defeat---brought forth storms Of
applause.
DR.. /. w. Cooper, President Of
Whitworth College. made the ad-
dress of welcome. During his dis
course Colonel w. W. cant came ups
on the platform with an old Com
federate flag unfurled and the brief
but loving eulogy to the old flag
was touching and left glad, hap
by feeling in the old boys that time
cannot lessen.
Furl that Banner-softly, slowly
Treat it gently--it is holy!
For it droops above the dead.
Touch it not-unfold it never;
Let it droop there, furled forever,
For its peoples hopes are dead!
Hon. Hiram Cassidy of Brookha-
ven, gave the address of welcome to
the Sons Of Veterans. He recalled
some years ago that he attended a
convention Of Confederate Veterans
and Northern Veterans and they
played the airs of the Confederacy
and northern tunes. Vice-versa the
bands of both old armies played each
others airs and at the conclusion
the National Anthem was played
bringing out the feeling Of brother
hood in America. He mentioned the
fact that in the Spanish-American
WoA bhSAS WVAS SA0 6ShOAdA0 Nuat
shot the same spirit into the enemy
as in the olden days.
Next came the address Of B. A.
Lincoln, Com. Army Tenn, Sons Jof
Veterans. The discourse Of Mr.. Lin
coin was chaste and eloquent de-
liyerance. He spoke Of the once
great barrier that was the issue pa
ramount in the fraticidaI war, and
today he said there is only white
line Of memory that win adorn the
immortal pages Of time; giving out
to the world the supreme sacrifices
of two Americans that clashed in the
belief that each was right. He spoke
also Of the returning heroes of the
World War and the amalgamation
Of patriotic endeavor OF the North
and South that drove European Au-
tocracy into oblivion. He closed his
remarks commencing the women OF
America and their immortal efforts
In the three wars and when he was
again seated on the stage the Audi
torium rang with enthusiasm engenz
dered by the eloquent periods Of the
speaker.
Adjutant John A. Webb applauded
the efforts OF the old soldiers in the
furthering Of the spirit OF "6I". He
brought to the minds Of the audience
the blessed happiness Of the old
home Of Colonial days; the bugle
calling the heroes to arms and closed
with the gracious thought that the
old Confederate Veterans had given
their sons to the cause OF Democracy.
Commander VIM. Wroten opened
his discourse with the word Com
rades.v He said: we meet In this
our 29th Annual Reunion under
rather peculiar conditions. The great
World War ID practically ended. The
heroes who left their homes and oc-
cupations to nght autoeracy IN far
away lands are returning; the 9TH
ers made the supreme sacrifice. We
honor them all mourning for those
who fen III the line of duty. Com
radea, these boys fought for the same
principle for which we fought for
self-determination home rule
and democracy. No cause was ever
more iust oF more righteous than The