Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1895-06-12

Tne confederate Monument in Chicago.

The unwilling of the Confederate monu-
ment in lakewood Cemetery, Chicago, where
1000 Confederate private soldiers are buried,
took place last Thursday with imposing
ceremonies. Distinguished Union and Con-
federate leaders were given a banquet by a
committee of citizens in Chicago the night
before.
Before the regular toast list was called at
the banquet, Gen. Stephen d. Lee, of Mis-
sissippi, was called upon and said;
"Chicago's hospitality knows no section
alism. No American is a stranger. This
great city, the future metropolis OF this
country, is catholic. This event will be
historic. We make no wal on the dead, and
we. the vanquished, come to the home OF the
bravest %victors. We accept the friendship
in the same spirit it is offered. Come and
conquer US Of the South again, not with
your bayonets-but with your commercial
men,"
Mayor Swift extended the feedom of the
city to the guests, and told them the hot
spell was symbolic of the warmth Of Chica-
COS welcome.
Gen. Wade Hampton presented a resoiu-
ton in regard to the death Of Gen. Gresham,
and the 200 guests silently drank to his
memory.
Acting as toastmaker Colonel Henry l..
Turner, commanding the first Infantry OF
the Illinois National Guard welcomed the
southerners as Comrades" and offered his
tribute in the form Of II poem.
The Army of the Potomac" was respond
ed to by Gen. Longstreet, who was greeted
with an outburst of applause. He said /;
You sll seem to know l was Herewith
the Army of Northern Virginia. 1t was
there that | had the pleasure of an introduce
ton to the Army Of the Potomac" The
%banqueters applauded a touching tribute to
Grant.
In responding to the American soldier
in history" Senator Butler Of South Caro-
liza, placed him in the front rank Of the
worlds soldiers. As an example he por-
trayed Gresham and concluded 81 do not
think any other city on the face Of the earth
would have had the audacity to invite us
rebels here to. night. 1t is to your eyerlast-
ing honor and glory"
Gen. Black, Of Illinois, responded to the
toast Here's tue hand of friendship."-
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee responded to "Shall the
South not grasp it?" He said Il am sur
rounded by the flag Of the United States
| had a similar experience about thirty
years ago at the village Of Appomattox.
had not selpt so well for a long time as
did the night after parole, although my
fanks were well covered. To tell the truth,
the country is safe"
A hearty greeting was extended to Gen.
Hampton when he rose to respond to
Southern chiva'ry from l776 to 1863" He
said "The people of Chicago have done
something that is the most honorable act
that was ever performed in the history OF
this country. Bigots may blame you or US,
but this act Of yours is the grandest thing oil
the country. 1t is magnificent chivalry
that you should raise a monument to the
Confederate dead.
Other speakers were Solicitor. General
Holmes Conrad, Senator John w. Danie
and Maj Gen. H. Kyd Douglas.
At 5 80 o'clock Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, ant
Gen. John B. Gordon, who had been de
tanned south, arrived. Gen. Lee joined thc
brilliant throug at the Palmer House, bu'
the gentleman from Georgia was too tree
from travel. Gen. Longstreet was forced
to retire before the end of the function.
Gen. Hampton was enthusiastic on thu
subject of the monument, saying: eth,
dedication of Chicago's Confederate monu
ment is by far the greatest event that ha
ever taken place in this country to cemen
the North and South. Chicago cannot b.
too greatly praised for persistency in he
noble and generous deed, in spite of th'
sneers and seedlings administered by Mas
sachusetts.