Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-01-20
THE DAY IN OTHER STATES.
Captain Gordon sIecabe's Address Before
the Virginia society-Ths banquet.

Captain Gordon MeCabes Address Before
the Virginia society--Ths banquet.
Special telegram 20 rns pispatch.l
ATLANTA, Ga, January i9.---To-day Gsnu-
airy 10TH, the anniversary OF the birth OF
Robert Z. Lee, is q State holiday, and Is
being as Generally observed as are other
holidays. The post-office was. open only
part OF the morning. The banks are
closed, and holiday hours are being OBJ
served in the city and county offices, but
the Virginia Society Is keeping special
observance of the day. In the ranks OF
this well-known society are large number
OF private citizens. who are equally proud
OF Virginia, their native home, and Geor-
gia. the home of their adoption. With
royal fealty they are spending TO-DAY IN
paying tribute to the memory of theSouth's
peerless soldier, Robert 4. Lee.
AN HosoREp GUEST.
Saturday evening Captain W. Gordon
McCabe. Of Petersburg, accompanied by
his son, reached the city, and was escorted
to the Klmball, where a room had been re-
served tor him. Captain McCabe is the
guest of the Virginia Society, and the
orator of the day. At O'Clock this after
noon the Rev. and Mrs. X. s. Barrett, who
are Virginians, entertained few friends,
among whom were Captain McCabe and
his son, Mr.. Douglas. DIR. j. William Jones,
Major Livingston Minis, and Mayor w. a.
Hemphill, at q luncheon at Their nome on
Houston street. He spent yesterday
with friends of the society, and this morn
ing in company with Mr.. Hamilton Dou'
glas, president OF the society, was driven
over the city and shown Gil the points OF In
terest This afternoon from ITO O'Clock
Mr.and Mrs. Barrett rendered a reception TO
their friends In the society at their nome.
Ii was delightful affair, and gave Captain
McCabe an opportunity to meet the mem
bers. Tonight Captain McCabe, who is a
magnificent orator, spoke at the Caplto'.
AT THE CAPITOL.
The exercises at the Capitol were held In
the House of Representatives and COM
menced promptly at 8 O'Clock. President
Hamilton Douglas called the society 70
order, and after prayer by the chaplain,
the Rev. Mr.. Funston. Captain McCabe
was introduced. His address was upon the
Life OF Lee" and The Defence of Peters
burg" The hall was crowded with an en-
thusiastic audience which was in full SYM
pathy with the theme of the speaker;
Captain McCabe's speech was mastery and
eloquent. and Is considered TO be one OF
the ablest ever delivered here.
Captain McCabe's Speech.
Vireiniaps.-I bear to you the greetings
of our mother as you gather here 70 DO
honor to the memory OF her greatest son. =,
And 10 you, too, men and women or
Georgia, this mother, on whose bosom lie
sleeping so many of your best and bravest--
those dauntless heroes who, when she stood
ringed with fire. hedged her round with
stubborn steel. and with their brave young
blood wrote the name OF Georgia In
crimson letters afresh in the very rubric OF
freedom to you. too, our mother stretches
forth her hand, which no longer wears its
mailed glove, and bids you Gods speed IN
that grand career OF prospcT-5 which mas
made the name of this mighty Common
wealth no less renowned in days of peace
than in DAYS of war, when she gave her oil
without Rrudge and without stint IN de-
fence of those principles which since the
DAYS of Runnymede have been the COM
mon heritage of ali English-speaking folk.
HER ETERNAL DEFIANCE.
Ayel Virginia, not without selt-reproach
that she but follows where she should have
led, Yields her southern sister homage, IN
that when cheap patriots" insolent by
reason of success won by others, were
seek .ng even in the halls of national legis-
lation 10 dim with the breath Of obloquy
the stainless memory of our matchless
leader, and to brand with infamy the cause
for which he drew his sword, this grand
old Commonwealth rang out her eternal
defiance to their calumnies by placing the
birthday of Lee in her civic calendar along
side that of Washington, and published to
the world this glorious legislative enact
ment signed with the name OF her battle
Scared Chief Executiye-that brilliant
soldier who for four years followed
the tattered battle-fags of Lee and OF
Jackson-rising from simple captain, grade
by grade, through sheer force OF sklil ana
daring until as commander OF jackson :
old corps he became Lees night arm IN that
wondrous final campaign which has
claimed the admiration OF the brave OF
every nation.
VIRGINIA REBELS.
In conclusion Captain McOabe said +:
Vireinians, in yonder battle-crowned capital
of our ancient Commonwealth looks down
npon us in imperishable bronze the "coun-
forfeit presentment" of our mothers great
est son of the first Revolution, seated in easy
majesty on his melted steed, such as be
NAV have seemed to his ragged, expectant
soldiery as he scanned with serene con-
stancy the varying chances OF the Tray tnst
day at Germantown or at Princeton, while
grouped beneath him stand the heroic
figures of those great Vlrginians who
shared with him the peril and the glory o.
guiding the new nation out OF the DARK
and narrow bondage of royal tyranny into
the broad light of republican freedom,
"REBEI," he was to those who denied the
chartered liberties of his struggling coun'
trymen, but today, under every sun ana 10
every cline, the name of this rebel is t[
all freemen the synonyme OF constitutions
liberty. W.T.
,ncton were none the less patriot and O
champion of freedom.
| .,u., CON pp A GECONID REVOLUTION
Thus it is that Virginia, true to the en-
nobliug traditions of that mighty past,
| which teaches us that patriottSm a. pdh'i
otism and that principle is principle whether
| plorifed by victory or shrouded In defeat
| has reared q monument no less impressive
and enduring TO her greatest son OF oul
| second reyolution-the peer In military
genius, in patriotism, In consistency, anc
| yalor of that immortal Rebel" Wnos'
| good blade carved out the freedom OF th'
| Western World.
"And here and now, my countrymen,
| tell you Lee shall ride
| With III At great Rebel down the years,
Twin 'Rebels side by side
And confronting such vision.
All our grief gives place TO pride"
"Thoss two shall ride immortal,
| And shall ride abreast OF Time,
| Shall light up stately history,
| And blaze In epic rhyme
| Both patriots--both Firginiens true
| Both 'Rebels'-both sublime"
| BANQUET AND roAsrs.
After the exercises at the Capitol the so
ciety and its guests repaired to the Kim
bali House, where An elegant banquet wa
spread. It was the first annual banquet o
| the society, and no pains were spared K
make it perfect success in every partlcu
lar. The speakers were as follows: Cap
tain w. Gordon McCabe, Governor w. j
| Northen, Mayor w. A. Hempphill, Colone
w Z. Calhoun, Hon. Clark Howell, Hok
Smith. Rev. DIR. George B. Strickland, an'
Major J. G. Courtney. =,
Captain McCabe expresses himself o
| highty pleased with Atlanta and Thankful
| y .knl,t hsoh a hoQ heel