The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-14
A ONE.SIDED MORALITY.
MAJ. STILES MORALIzES ON THE
ursTAREs or A BROTHER.
F" There is But One Perfect Rule of Right "
He says-splendid Speeches at the
Hcwitzer Banquet.


me annual banquet Of the Richmond
Howifzers and the Howitzer Association
at zimmermanns last night eclipsed all
previous occasions of the same charac-
ter.
War tales and stories Of courage and
battle were brought before those who
we're fortunate enough to be present
and the young. inexperienced members
of that splendid organization VINO love
the least semblance Of imagination, necd
go no further than to one OF the delight
full annual banquets to witness the scene
OF battle.
This is made possible by the vivid and
realistic remarks Of such well-known
speakers as Major Robert stiles. Judge
George i. Christian. General T. \. Bran
der, Colonel John Murphy and Dr. J. VIII
liam Jones.
A ROYAL FEAST.
After enjoying one Of Zimmermann's
celebrated feasts, in which duck, quAil
on toast, oysters in all styles, sherry and
champagne figured to a large and most
enjoyable extent. the feast OF oratory be-
gan, in which Judge George L. Christian
took the part OF POSTMASTER, although
set toasts were not in order.
With a few pleasant preliminary re-
marks Judge Christian introduced MAJOR
Stiles the mere mention Of whose name,
was the signal for applause
You can always call on George Chris
tian to do ruthless things said Major
Stiles. amidst great laughter, "and this
IS one of his most ruthless achievements,
for / had no idea of being called upon TO
I gef
speech. and will simply make n few ran
dom remarks" and then he went on TO
extol the valor and courage Of the high
private in the rear ranks.
Gap GROWING WIDER"
"The gap between the old and tho new
soldier Is growing greater our number is
growing less. but the young soldier Is
growing greater and fresher' The Young
Howitzers applauded vehementy, and then
the Major waxed eloquent and pathetic
as he related a number Of well remembered
stories OF heroic deeds and narrow es-
capes. as the smoke from the fragrant
Havanas assembled in rings and curves
to the ceiling. He related an incident
Of the bravery Of his very young brother.
who faced the enemy at the tender age
of sixteen.
In few words he referred 10 the re-
cent investigation. and spoke with tones
OF sorrow of the "smirches and reiiec-
tons" that had come upon the name OF
Confederate soldier, who had fought ana
bed for his country's cause.
HIS MISTAKE.
1.-THE mistake he made was to stand
upon a one-sided morality. There is but
one perfect rule of right, the law OF God,
and the only thing for you young Howit-
GERS to do is to obey that law every title
rb. 10 fc no xrrff oh IS
built upon the law of God. ! say this
with all my heart and soul"
At the conclusion of Major Stiles re-
marks. Judge Christian said the best
thing the speaker had ever done was the
speech he had just made. and then he
introduced DR.. J. William Jones.
He expressed surprise, but thanked the
judge, for he didn't like to go TO a meet
ing and not be called upon. lie was IN
the habit Of speaking for the good OF his
fellow men whenever he got the chance
and was glad TO get the chance now II
wasn't his good fortune TO serve with
the artillery, but he served in the foot
infantry all the time. lie was always
ready and willing, however. 10 talk Of
the great deeds Of these men DIR. Jones
then told several tales that were per-
tinent TO the occasion and which drew
forth applause.
mo BETTER MEN
1.-THE world never saw better mon
than those that composed the artillery
of the Army Of Northern Virginia
Judge Christian then introduced Dr. j.
Ia Smith whose remarks We're inter
spersed with humorous sentiment and
at the conclusion he was roundly APP
plauded.
At this point Judge Christian made q
few remarks on his own account and said
a line or two in reference TO the rights
Of the Confederacy. lie averred that
large number Of the people in the north
showed that they believed the South was
right when they voted in the elections
Immediately following the war.
Mr. j. Taylor Ellyson was the next
speaker. He referred to the death OF
President Davis in 1889 and the part ne
took in the funeral ceremonies as the
representative of the city Of Richmond.
In regard 10 the history question. MT
Ellyson said that nothing better could be
done than TO study the lives Of the great
men Of tne Confederacy and we should