Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-06-26
sCorCH-1R1sH CONGRESS.
An Interesting Gathering at Lexington
The Opening Addresses.

l.
enth annual session of the congress of
the Scotch Irish Society of North
America convened here this morning at
II O'Clock and was called to order by
the president, Mr.. Robert Bonner, Of
New York city. The sessions of the
congress are being held in the spacious
chapel of the Washington and Lee
University, and the officers of the so
ciety are the guests of the university.
The entrance to the chapel is draped
with the American, Scotch and Irish
colors, and the interior of the buildiag
is draped and festOoned with the colors
of the society, in many beautiful de
signs, and, in addition, there is long
list of the distinguished and illustrious
Scotch Irish, whose names are blended
with the early history of the settlement
of the country, displayed upon rolls of
honor that hang around the galleries
Back of the rostrum in the mausoleum,
through the parted tapestry drapery,
is seen to beautiful effect the recuIn
bent figure of Gen. Robert E. Lee upon
the sarcophagus, by Valentine.
When the congress was called to or
der the auditorium was filled with d
distinguished audience from dozens of
the States and Canada, and many of
the visitors to the commencement ex-
ercises of the Washington and Lee
University who remained over to take
part in the exercises of the Scotch Irish
Congress were members of the audi
ence, and a large number of the lead
ing citizens of the community. Hon.
William Mclaughlin, one of Virginia's
most prominent circuit judges and di-
rector of Washington and Lee Univer-
sity. introduced the speakers and ex-
tended on behalf of the university and
the citizens of the town hearty well
come to the members of the congress
and the visitors to that body.
Gov. Charles T. O'Ferrall, of Virgin
ia, an alumnus of this university, on
behalf of the old Mother of Common
wealths and the people of Lexington
welcomed the delegates in an eloquent
but brief speech, which was received
with rounds of applause.
President Robert Bonner, of the So
ciety, and on its behalf, replied to the
address of welcome and congratulated
the society and it's members that they
had accepted the invitation of the
Washington and Lee University to
session.
L. ~,
tended a welcome to the people to at
tend the services of the congress and
those who might want to join it's ranks
to file applications. He explained that
the Scotch-Irish society was a non sec
tartan and non-political organization,
and that while its membership contain
ed very many Presbyterians, it was by
no means an organization connected
with or restricted to that denomina-
ton.
Hon. Joseph A, Waddell, the Virginia
historian, followed with long and in
teresting address, historic of the settle
ment of the Valley of Virginia by the
Scotch Irish people.
He reviewed the race as a whole and
their many distinguished men and wo-
men in war and peace, and concluded
with biographical sketch of the more
prominent names that have made the
hands of Virginians 10 the past illus
trious. AT its conclusion the points OF
interest around the university, includ-
ing the Lee figure. Lees office and 9th
er places, were visited by the members
Tonight from 8 to 10 the university
rendered the congress grand reception
in Newcomb Hall library, which was
largely attended by many prominent
people. the whole concluding with a
banquet that would have done credit
to any occasion. The citizens of the
town were out in large numbers to meet
the many prominent and disting uisned
members of the society present.
At the Virginia Military Institute to-
night the cadet camp Camp Gordon"
was Illuminated, and there was an
open air concert by the Military Post
Band. The society people were out in
force to visit the cadets.
A SESSION FULL OF INTEREsT-oFFICERS CHOSEN
FOR THE ENSUING YEAR.
LEXINGTON, VA, June 21.-The sec
ond days session of the Scotch Irish
Congress, in the chapel of Washington
and Lee University, to-day was presid-
ed over by President Robert Bonner, of
New York. 1t was session full of in
terest. Rev. Henry Alexander White,
D. D.. Phi. D.. of the Washington and
Lee University faculty, read an able
paper on The Presidents of Washing
ton and Lee University" from its
founding in 1882 to its present incum
bent, Gen q. w. G. Lee, son of Gen.
Robert E. Lee, who was president be-
fore his son. A large number of per
sons were elected members. Among the
prominent names enrolled were: Rev.
B. Saunderson. Colonel Findlay, Rev.
J. II. Paxton, New York; Hon. Henry
Watterson, of the Louisville Courier
Journal.
THE Mecklenberg Declaration of In
a valuable contribution
to American history, by DR.. George W.
Graham, of Charlotte, N. c., in the alb
sence of the author, was read by DR.. J.
H. Bryson, of Philadelphia. What
Education Can Do for the Scotch
Irish," a paper by DR.. George Mac
Loskie, of Princeton College, was we'll
received.
At 4 o'clock there was a business
meeting of the society, at which the
following officers were elected: Presi
dent, Robert Bonner, New York; vice
president general, Rev. John T. Nc
Intosh, D. D., Philadelphia; first vice
presidential large, II. T. Wright, Nash
vile, Tenn; second, Rev J. Fl. Bryson,
ID. d., Huntsville, Ala; secretary, A. G.
Floyd, Chattanooga, Tenn; treasurer,
John McIllhenny, Philadelphia, Pa.
The vice presidents by States, thirty
two in number, were, with a few
changes, re elected at the night session.
Rev. J. H. Bryson, D. D., of Huntsville,
Ala. delivered an address on 1.-THE
Scotch Irish of Kings Mountain" The
feature of the night session was DR..
John Halls address on 1.-The North and
South and the Forces That Are Operat-
ing to Unite the Two Sections"
DR.. Harvey Mcdowell, of Kentucky,
delivered an address on "Ephraim Nc
Dowell, of Cynthiana."
Gen. George Washington Custis Lee,
president of Washington and Lee Uni
versty, will tender the congress a re-
ception to morrow night. The con-
gress has accepted an invitation from
the Virginia Military Institute to visit
the barracks and witness cadet battal-
ion and artillery drill tomorrow.
LEXINGTON, VA, June 22.-The
Scotch Irish Congress was called to Or
der at 1920 o'clock this morning by it's
Mr. Robert Bonner, and the
exercises were opened with prayer by
the Rev. B. H. Dement,, pastor of the
Baptist church.
Then following this was the address,
General Morgan" by tie Hon. A. G.
Gordon. of Staunton, Va, and at the
conclusion of the address nominations
for membership and announcements
were made by the presidents
Of hn Tob