Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1891-01-28
NO. 81.
Synopsis Of Speeches

Synopsis Of Speeches
Made at the Maryland Banquet in Honor
of Gen Lees birthday:
GEN. WADE HAMPTON.
General Hampton was introduced as lone
whose sabre as it glanced from its scabbard
We were wont to follow in days Of yore.'
such reception greeted him as few of
si,oSe present will ever forget The whole
crowd rose as one man. handkerchefs waved
widly and yell after yell made the hall
ring. General Hampton spoke of "The
Calvary" IL had short time ago." he
said. "to look into the reports Of General
Sheridan Of the fight around Trevilian and
| will say for the calvary / had the honor
to command, we had not as many in the iield
a. he admitted he had lost. When the war
was over and we were all crushed 10 earth
that greatest soldier of the English-speak-
ing race, Gea Robert + Lee, applause,I
wrote to me: Had you been here with your
calvary the disaster would not have hap
pened consider that the greatest tribute
the calvar, of the Army of Northern Viz
ginia could have. | tell YOU | would rsth-
er have the honor you men of Maryland
gave me receutlv in indorsing' me than
seat in the United States Senate. 1ehavc
come here to thank YOU for what yobdid.
To think that YOU have made me an honor-
AIRY member Of vour society in place of our
great chief Jefferson Davis, is to me the
greatest tribute which could be paid to
Confederate soldier Whatever misfortune
may befall me, political or otherwise. my
last prayer will be for the South and South
Carolina" voice-"Keep your eye on
the force BILL"
GENERAL HOOKER.
General Hooker spoke on "The Infantry"
81 always feel honored in addressing .
Maryland audience" he said although
invited to speak in another State to COM
rades on the same subject as we talk of to-
night, preferred to speak to a Maryland
audience in the State which erected the first
monument 10 the Confederate soldier. |
am gratified to say that you owe that shaft
to the women of Maryland. The time has
never come when the men who struggled in
this great war and wore the ragged gray
Jacket of the Confederacy should not be al
lowed 20 speak what they think in free
country. When the accusation has some
times been made in the halls Of Congress
that the men who fought for that cause
are called traitors, am reminded that the
English. speaking people have ever been de-
voted TO home rule and community inde-
pendencc In Ireland the battle is being
fought to-day We had not in all the his
tory oftlis country more distinguished rep
resen,ative Of this principle than that chief
who was made martyr for US all and who
was manaclcd in Fortress Monroe BY
brutal soldiery When Davis was brought
,o Richmond witnessed a scene | hope
never to see again. II requires a gigantic
mould OF herosm to be a victor in defeat.
When he was brought to answer to the in
diclment Of treason against him one gall
liant virginian paid him the greatest honor
in few words Hats oil, Virgnians, said
he, aud all bowed reverently before the
chief The struggle was one Of which we
NAV no more be ashamed than our ances-
tors we're on the plains of Runnymede. when
they demanded from King John the char
ter of independence When Lee and John
ston surrendered, the terms Of capituation
were not dishonorable. because We were
struggling for the great right of self govern.
ment There l. another army corps back
IF the artillery, calvary and the infantry, of
whom wan, to speak 1t was corps
which hspered comfort to The Confederate
-oIdier when hi brow was wet with the dew
damp of death II was the gallant women
of the Conlederacy. than whom none we're
more devoted than the women Of Mary
land"
COL II. KYD DOUGLAS.
Col II. Kyd Douglas was given the toast
10 the artillery-"The instruments They
DID H.. U.ro for tho Mnaf Part nor.