The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-01-22
The Btrshday of Lee.

federacy can never he forgotten. The
causes which led 10 the war have been
setited, the bitterness that followed
the struggled has been softened by
the lapse OF time. aud the actors In
the bloody four years drama are passing
away 10 Join that innumerable caravan
whose tents are spread in The Valley OF the
Shadow Of Death. But the memories OF
the past, at least, are secure from the mar
iyrdom OF political oppression, and. though
the shock of battle blS long since died away
and the priyationS and dangers OF the camp
and field have been forgotten, the annually
recurring battle and birthday celebrations
:ffYord fitting opportunity for The expires
lion Of our deep reverence for tOo>e who
stood i'm the front and directed the fortunes
OF war in the very teeth of Fate.
The grand central figure OF tie war of the
Conlederacv was General X. +. Lee. When
he surrendered his sword at AppomaitoX
the South laid down her arms. When he
died in the quiet and peaceful retirement ol
his home in tbe beautiful Valley OF Virgil
nia his people put on the sackclOth or In
consolabie grIef, and great light went out
OF the southern tirmament ioleVer.
The Carolina Rife Battalion celebrated
the birthday of General Lee last evening
with appropriate ceremonies. The ceieora-
tion was given at Military Hail under the
general direction of the following COM
mltee OF arrangements: Me.srS. George
NJ. Coffin. lieutenant commanding Company
a; :. y. Tupper, Jr., +. Is. HayGe, D.
Alwyn Ball, and Allen Sinkler. Major e..
i. Walker, commanding the battalion, was
in special charge OF The event, which owed
50 much OF ITS success to his admirable
judgment and indefarigsble energy.
At haif-paSt O'Clock The q" assembly"
was beaten ana the different military or
ganiz4tiOus Of the city formed in the lower
story OF the hail, and, beaded By the Euiaw
Band. marched INTO lhe hail above 10 the
stirring and patriotic strains OF " Dixie " /;
which were greeted with loud applause.
MsjOr Walker, accompanied by Colonel
II. :. Thomp>On, the orator OF tue evening,
and followed by number OF distinguished
guests. headed the marching. column. The
then filed IN IN column Of twos
and were seated in tbe middle tier of seats.
which had been especially reserved Tor their
accommodation.
Among the prominent gentlemen on the
stage, in addition 10 the commissioned off'
GERS OF the various brigade, reoimeptal, ana
company staff, were Mayor Courlenav, Ma
jOr Il. G.. Barker, Colonel Rhett. Colonel
Edward McCrady. Jr.. Colonel L. Richard
son Miles, General DeSausSure, Governor
Manning, The Rev. John johnson, Professor
rallichet, Mr. Nanderhorsi, the Hon. W.
Aston Pripgle, and Others. OF the brigade
staff there were present LIeutenant-COloneI
Il. {. Gilcbrlst and Major Won Santen; Sey-
euteenth regiment stan. Captain ID. Nell,
adiutant, and Captain X. II. Sweeney, quar-
ID 40 tai ~.
Major c. /. Walker, Lieutenant and Adiu-
tant A. MaZveb, Lieutenant {. Il. Holmes,
Jr., lQuartermaSter, and Lieutenant j. G..
Holmes. Jr.. payHaSter; First regiment ar.
tillery, Captain T.. p. Lowndes; First Regi-
ment Rifles, MsiOr w. NJ. Bruins.
The following companies were repre-
sfnted: Company A, Carolina r. fie BattaI-
ion, CAPTAIN Thomas Frost: Company b,
CAPTAIN w. s.. j. Jervey; Charleston Light
Dragons. Lieutenant +. I. Legare; Ger
msn:Hussars. Captain q. Riecke; German
Artillery, Captain f. W. Wagner; Wash-
ington Artillery, Lieutenant Henry A. De-
SauSSure; Lafayette Artillery, Captain Il.
Mantoue: Marion Artillery, Lieutenant G.
Il. Uuger; Charleston Riflemen, Lieutenant
y. c. .ZyIstra: Sumter Guards, Lieutenant
:. HYDE, Jr.; Washington Light Infantry,
Captain q. ID. Bryan; Palmetto Guards,
CAPTAIN WescOat; Montgomery Guards,
CAPTAIN J. +. Redding; German Fusilicrs,
Captain II. Schachte.
The hall was well filled by brilliant au-
'ience. When they had become seated and
1u,et was restored the Rev. John johnson
offered fervent and patriotic prayer; after
which Major Walker, in few appropriate
remarks, presented Colonel Thompson, who
was received with loud and enthusiastic
applause. He spoke with fine emphasis and
lnuch feeling, and was frequently inter-
iMpted ny his audience, who were III per-
Icct sympathy with The speaker and his
grand subject.
COLONEL THORpSON's ADDRESS.
S;e have met to celebrate the birthday of
Dne Of the foremost patriots and soldiers OF
history. Though the people whom he
,erEeG 30 faithfully were not permitted to
laii him with loud acclaim as conqueror
md deiiverer, yet peoples voice, "the
)rooe and echo OF all human fame" will
.ver 4ell with gratefUs accents Of his I'M
elfs4 patriotism, his iigh virtues, and his
noble deeds.
After giving many interesting incidents
4 the great Lees life. Colonel Thompson
oncluGled this portion Of his Oratloa as
Oll0ws:
It was @hileeengaged ia che execution OF
his seif-isDpOsed task [edueaiion OF yOuthJ,
nd IN toe discharge OF this high duty, that
he last dread summons came 10 General
zee. But none who hold the trusting faith |
nat sustained hlal through affe can doubt |
rat that sgmmoDs found him ready to an-
ver the esis. For him we know there Il
eace and rest. Ne more at hss command
laIl the bugle's blsst summon drained le'
ions TO victory: nc more at bis command
lall the valleys of Virginia resaInd with
le tramp OF armed men; no more shall his
-eat heart bleed for the su6ieriRss Of his
.loved South. At Lexington, In the Val
Y OF Virginia, he sleeps within sigE of The
ountains be loved 50 well. And fhere,
9. St0uewali Jackson sleeps. The fame OF
csc Cnristian warriors will be as enduring
the everlasting mountains whose lofty
mslits stand like sentibas to guard The
oil |,
Death aud Glory an eterasl Sabbath keep :
In contemplating the character OF Lee
may well exclim: Fortunate the coun-
whose free institution gave him birth ;
ppg will be the people who honor bis .
.mory. who initiate his virtues, and who .
low bis example:
"His work Is done,
while the races OF mankind endure, 20
his great example stand lc
seal, teen OF every land, It
keep The soldier Grm, The statesman pDre,
\ IN all lands and fhro' all human story u
. path OF duty be the way TO glory" "
The orator, then turning to the Caroline 5
1e Battalion, briefly and beautifully ad' IL