Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-01-20
CELEBRATION IN ATLANTA.
The Virginia Society Lends-James Lind
say Gordon the Orator.

CBy telegraph 10 the Dispatch.l
ATLANTA, GA, January 19.-General Lees
birthday being legal holiday in this State
tho occasion was appropriately observed
to-day. especially under the auspices OF
the Virginia Society OF. this city. All the
State offices were closed. The only formal
exercises were those held at the Young
Mems Christian Association auditorium
and at a banquet this evening. where
James Lindsay Gordon, of Charlottesville,
delivered an eloquent tribute TO the me-
mory of General Lee. Governor Northen.
Mayor Goodwin, and other prominent men
made speeches also.
Mr.. Gordon was introduced by Hamilton
Douglass, president of the Virginia So
ciety. Mr.. Gordon's speech was an elo;
quent tribute to the memory OF General
Lee.
WASHINGTON AND LEE.
After speaking of the pleasure of meet
ing on Georgia soil with brethren who had
met to cherish the memory of the Old Do
minIon and her great son he said: And
yet it may not be amiss. amid gathering
of Virginia's children, to renew thought
which has been expressed at other
times and by lips far more eloquent
than mine, and it is this, that OF
the long list of glorious names which
Am erica has furnished to the history OF
the world 1t was our mothers fortune 70
furnish the two who led that mighty
band; the TWO characters that tower in
complete and rounded stature over all their
great compatrIots: the Castor and Pollux
of our nations history; the great twin
brethren who will ride down the centuries
leading the vanguard or our army OF i'm
mortality. chiefs of the deathless host OF
patriots, soldiers philosophers, and states
men, who put life to heroic uses and bat
tied for noble ends. That two who on
this continent are incompatible and un-
rivalled are George Washington and Robert
L. Lee"
vIRGTNIA's HEART UNCHANGED.
In conclusion Mr.. Gordon said:
Gentlemen Of the Virginia Society
Something more / had to say TO you of the
sweet old land where you were born, but
time presses and | must forbear. Yet VIII
tax your patience for moment TO de-
clare that though in many things the old
order changes. giving place to new /;
though many q memory haunted home
that you recall is dismantled and decayed; I;
though the old. simple, unostentatious
modes of life are growing rarer; though
the roofs of thronged cities rise
where you knew solitude. and the rush
of the steam-engine breaks many silence
once broken only by the song OF the mock
ing bird though such changes are on her
landscape, think the depths of the heart
of Virginia are unchanged. She still de-
lights to hear the old voices of honor call ::
she still holds her ancient Rlories IN
reverent remembrance. But she Is glad
for the prosperity of the present, proud OF
the freedom and power of the republic,
and IN her great and generous heart is
broadening the patriotic Americanism that
holds the kindliest affection for every clti-
zen beneath the flag.
THE sSow-wHITE CHIEF.
There, sirs. the grave of the great cap
tain IS guarded as the most sacred spot
within her borders, and his immortal
memory is cherished as her most precious
legacy from time. Though he is past, he
is not dead TO her. His was not the death
that kills. The true heart can never die.
Go into Britain said Alan de Llsle
in his day. and dare say that
Arthur is dead, and the very children
will stone you. For them he is a
king, crowned in Fairyland. He is only
sleeping in the enchanted palace OF the
again to lead his countrymen, If Merlin
spake true the snow-white chIet on the
snow-whlte horse We know our southern
Arthur shall not come again; we believe
his like shall never come again to
us until the end of time, but in
our memories forever he shall be
the 'snow-white chief His kingdom
is the inner sanctuaries of our hearts, the
walls of the enchanted palace where
his body rests are the blue mountains of
his native land, its dome the skies he
loves. But the royal and released spirit
has passed eternally from the shadows of
defeat into the place of victory. where We
believe the knowledge that his people
have struggled out of darkness into this
radiant day CAP touch his high soul into
greater gladness even amid the supernal
splendor of that city where the Lord God
and the Lamb are the light thereof"
The banquet following the oration was
an elegant affair,