The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1897-05-06
SOUTHERN MIGHT EXERCISES.
A PACKED ASSEMBLY.
DR.. Jones Thrilling Lecture.

DR.. Jones Thrilling Lecture.
Scotland Neck Vine Hill Male Acad-
envy is the only school on the continent
that publishes in its catalogue South
ern Night Exercises and holds them.
The object of the exercise is to teach
the Southern youth something more OF
the Southern Confederacy than the
books tell.
Tuesday night the assembly hall was
packed literally packed-with fine
audience and perhaps hundred on the
outside could not find standing rOon
within.
Back of the rostrum in an arch of gilt
letters was Southern Night, May 4th. :"
On the left was 1851" and to the right
1885," The confederate flags in
miniature streamed from the windows
and from either end of the rostrum and
the "stars and bars" were seen on every
side. Portraits OF Lee and Jackson and
others graced the walls, and everything
showed that the occasion was typically
Southern.
On the rostrum were seated 25 old Con
federate veterans who had come to heal
one of their comrades in arms tell Of
the days from 81 to '65. Music on the
outside by the Scotland Neck cornet
band lent charm and smack OF ex.
element as the people were being
crowded and packed into the hall.
When the audience were fairly well
seated Rev. r. T. Vann opened the ex
ercises with a short prayer, the Vine
Hill Orchestra on the inside played
"Dixie," Rev. r. T. Vann sang "Stone
wall Jackson's Way" and Mr.. Claude
Kitchin arose to introduce the speaker
of the evening. In we'll chosen sen
fences and language as chaste he re-
ferred to the boys who wore the Con-
federate gray In 1861, and pointing to
the squad of old soldiers on the rostrun
he said "they now wear natures gray.
He referred to the speaker OF the even
ing as one who had written more, spok
en- more and told more of the Coined
crate soldier than any other living man
| and then gracefully presented Rey
Jno. William Jones, D. D., OF Virginia
DIR. Jones arose amid great applause
and with matchless enthusiasm TO
the glorious record of the Southern
soldier, held the audience under
spell of eloquence, pathos and wit TO
moe than an hour and half.
DIR. Jones is the most distinguish
guest that has appeared before SEQ
land Neck audience in its whole histt
~, perhaps. He is native OF Virgins
that grand old commonwealth whic
has produced so many statesmen, scho
ars and eminent divines. He was ed'
Gated at the University OF Virgins
} completed a course at the Souther
Theological Seminary, was ordained
1860 to the Baptist ministry. Whe
the war began he went into the arm
as a private soldier, and served in tt
ranks until November 1868, when
+ was made Chaplain to Hills corps, ar
served until the surrender at Appoma
tox. He followed the fortunes OF tt
army of Northern Virginia throue
the whole struggle, and knew the cha
acteristics OF the Confederate soldl
perhaps as no other man in the arm
DR.. Jones resided at Lexington for
, number of years after the war. He W
nv the gallant Lee in his last hours
: earthly life, and sent the telegram
Lees death which was published in t.
papers through this country and in t
: papers beyond the seas. DR.. Jones b
y published a number OF books, WIFI
are familiar to the puDlc, nOtaDly
{ School History of the United States
O He has been constant student OF
} erv phase of Confederate history a
r writes and speaks with authority tt
= Idefies contradiction.
e In his Introductory remarks Tuesd
b nioht Mr.. Kitchin referred to the d
, tinguished Vlrginian as ian unrece
n structed rebel" DR.. Jones' openi
d sentences took issue with Mr.. Kltchi
IF statement. He said: IT am admi
blv reconstructed, and never was
rebel" He SAID the Confederate {
i diers we're not rebels, but patriots, fig