Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-01-24
CELEBRATION OF THE ANNIVERSARY
OF THE BIRTH OF GEN. R. E. lee.
INTERESTING EXERCISES.
ADDRESS BY REV. J. WILLIAM JONES, D. I.

ADDRESS BY REV. ]. WILLIAM JONES, D. I.
On Friday last, Jan. 18th, the Opera-House
was crowded in every part of that building by
persons, old and young, of both sexes, to par
tcipate in the celebration of the anniversary
of the birth of Gen. Robert Edward Lee by
the "Stonewall Jackson Camp of Confederate
Veterans" A great many of the brave sol
diers who had followed this distinguished and
able military chieftain and peerless ge tleman
during the war between the States were pres
ent, who honored themselves in honoring
Lees memory by their presence on this oc-
cas1on.
When as many had gotten into the building
as could find room, the meeting was called to
order by Jed Hotchkiss, Colonel Commander
of Stonewall Jackson Camp of Confederate
Veterans. The Stonewall Brigade Band, J.
NJ. Brereton, Director, then played 1.-The
American Cadet March" after which, the
exercises were opened with an appropriate,
patriotic and devout prayer by Rev. w. J. E.
Cox pastor of the Baptist Church of Staunton.
The Band then played THE Wayside
Chapel" after which Commander Hotchkis
welcomed the presence of the audience, and
especially the young, and after some predatory
remarks, introduced "Parson" ]. William
Jones, d. D., Chaplain of the gallant 18th
Virginia regiment during the war, and at
present Chaplain of the University of Vir-
gina, as the orator of the occasion.
When he arose to speak he received very
cordial greeting by the whole audience.
He said it was eminently appropriate for
the Stonewall Jackson Camp to celebrate the
birth of Lee, for they were comrades during
the war, their bodies sleep together at Lexing-
ton, and their spirits are together in glory.
He had intended to have for his subject-"R.
E. Lee, the Patriot the Soldier, and the Man
as an example for the youth of our country"
but he found that it would require more time
than was at his disposal, and that, therefore,
he would confine himself more particularly
to Lee as Man. His intimate acquaintance
with Lee during the war and after the war,
and with having the privilege of examining
his private papers and letters, enables Mr..
Jones to know as much, or more, of General
Lees character as any other person, and
qualities him to speak of both the public and
private character of Lee as it deserves. The
remark that mo man is hero to his ydlet,"
was not true of Gen. Lee. In his case,
familiarity did not breed contempt" but IN
creased admiration and love.
Mr.. Jones's heart is brimful of his noble
subject and he speaks with much feeling His
address consisted chiefly Of mere recitals of
the acts of Gen. Lee from his early youth to
his death, throughout his brilliant and event
full career approaching the fact that such
recitals speak more eloquently in praise of his
merits than the tongue of the most eloquent
orator or accomplished elocutionist, in the
delivery of a carefully prepared and artisti-
cally finished eulogium AS. beauty un-
adorned is most adorned" so it is with the
character of this peerless soldier, patriot, and
christian, which needs not the adornment of
rhetoric that would rather detract from than
add to its moral beauty and sublimity. We
believe that take him all in all, General R. E.
Lee was one of the greatest and best men that
ever lived in all the tide of time, and that his
fame will increase with the cycles of centu-
ries
We know of no man in history to whom
the following lines of Shakespeare are so
truly applicable as to Gen. Lee
His life was gentle, and the elements
So mixed in him, that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world, This was man. ;"
He was truly model man. His chief
characteristic was conscientious devotion to
duty, which was the pole-star by which his
course in the voyage of life was directed. He
would do what he conceived to be his duty
under any and all circumstances-everyth
was subordinated to the performance of duty.
His conscience ruled him supremacy.
What conscience dictated to be done,
Or warned him not to do,
This taught him more than hell to shun,
That more than heaven pursue"
The address OF Mr.. Jones was exceedingly
interesting, and it is sufficient to say of it
that it was worthy of the occasion on which
it was delivered.
We have not the space to report it and must
confine our notice to the brief space we have
devoted to it.
We hope that he will deliver another ad-
dress in this city on the same subject, as he
expressed wish to do.
AT the conclusion of the address. cornet
quartette played the hymn-'Nearer my God
to Thee"
Then Mr.. ]. Morton Fultz read in fine style
the beautiful poem-"The sword of Lee" writ
ten by Father Ryan, the patriotic poet-priest
of the South.
The Band then played General Lees favorte
hymn-"How firm a foundation, &C."
The audience was then dismissed with the
benediction by Rev. J. H. Boyd, D. D., pastor
of the NJ. E. Church South of this city.
As the audience were leaving, the Band
played "Dlxie," which never fails to stir the
hearts of the Southern people.
This celebration was in every respect a
grand success, and those who took the chief
part in preparing for it deserve great credit.
MIDDLEBROOK.