Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-23

sod,
For honor to heroes Is honor to God"
MAJOR RANDOLPH ACCEPTS.
Major Norman V. Randolph replied to
MIR. Lccky. Addressing the gentleman
direct. he said:
October. 1884. and the Lee-Camp Conieue-
rate Soldiers Home established. OPP
posed the erection OF cottages. nave
been opposed TO the erection or cottages
ever since until to-day. | was opposed
TO them on the ground OF economy. De-
licving that the old soldiers could be
housed under one roof at an expense OF
at least $4,000 per year less than 1t taxes
TO maintain them In cottages. believe
though that the erection Of this cottage
by the Sons OF Veterans Is the beginning
OF the dawn Of new era for the old
Confederate soldier and i have buried
my objections TO the cottage system.
I'VE want TO encourage the Sons OF
Veterans; we want 10 foster their or
ganizatiohs so that when we are gone.
they may take our places, and in order
thai so long as one old one-legged Con-
fedcrate soldier lives there will be some
one to look after his comfort, ana some
one 10 see 10 his wants
After expressing the boards high ap-
probation of the work of the Sons, MAJOR
Randolph gave a brief history OF the
home. He told, first, OF how the idea TOT
its establishment had originated with Lee
Camp, and then of how for two years
tbst ORGANIZATION supported Il. He then
told Of how the property had been deeded
10 the state, with the understanding thaI
the state would care for all the ola SOL
diers. There had been accommodated at
the home since It's organization l,lS1
veterans, and there were 253 on the rolls
at present Applications of Al more are
on file he said, but they can't De ac-
commodated, as the State appropriation
and all other revenue at the disposition
Of the board is inadequate for those al
ready at the home. Major kandoipn palu
tributes 10 Major Lewis Ginter and
10 the home. and made complimentary
mention of Il. +. Butler, Corporal Tanner,
and several Grand Army of the Republic
posts.
GOV. CAMERON ON THE INFANTRY.
Major Randolph. who presided over the
meeting. introduced ex-governor william
II. Cameron 10 speak on the subject Inc
Infantry of the Army OF Northern VIZ
ginia." Governor Cameron was Loudly
cheered when he stepped to the tront.
Turning to Major Randolph, ne sald: II
IA a sick soldier who reports for duty to-
day, and. as usual. the hot work OF open
ing the engagement is assigned TO MIN:
The infantry is always put 10 the 'front.'.
Turning. then, until he confronted Gene
raj Lee, the speaker said: we have mere
the Rupert Of our southern horse, our
gallant Fitz. to whom long life. happi-.
ness. and prosperity Is the prayer Oh
every Confederate soldier" ApplalseJ
Turning then. to Judge George IL Chrls-
tan, Governor Cameron said: we are
also supported by a representative OF
those who let loose the dogs Of war IN
the face of our enemy" Applause) Then
addressing both gentlemen, the eloquent
Ex-Governor said: my friends of the
sabre and the hammer. your comrades sa-
Lutte you with uncovered head ana IN
stantly every hat in the large gathering
Of soldiers was DOTTED.
With great eloquence and partially in
plank verse, Governor Cameron then
plunged into the theme assigned him. lie
paid a glorious tribute to the men who
trudged through snow and rain 10 follow
Lee and Jackson, and quoted Pope, VINO
said: IT was forced under such circum-
stances as have been described % en-.
counter the finest body of infantry or
modern times" TO bear him out In his
claims concerning this magnificent army
He paid a most eloquent tribute to Lee,
the immortal leader. and concluded with
beautiful peroration. in which ne heap.
ed eulogium on not only the leaders OF
the Lost Cause. but the multitude who
followed them.
THE ARTILLERYMEN.
Governor Cameron was cheered TO the
echo when he closed his magnificent au,
dress, and when quiet once more relghed
Rev w A. Slaymaker, of Abingdon,
lone of the bows of the Otey Battery
according TO Major Randolph, was lhtro. %,
duced Mr.. Slaymaler in speaking VI
his old comrades. paid them hlsh III
butte. The eloquence, the music Oh tne
guns in battle were then pictured by MN
and as he enlarged on the theme ne NM
self grew wondrously eloquent. Touchlng
upon General Pegram's career, the speah ,
er said that his life was more eloquetn.
than the roar of the cannon. As tne
great artillery leader who made the
cannon such a potent factor in the Ge-
fence of Richmond, was Pegram euio-
gized. and Mr.. Slaymaker sald OF MN
-. ns.1 20
taIitv his fame and his life rather than
to live and suffer defeat. Tribute was
next paid by the speaker 10 tne HleiiioIS
of Pelham. the gallant Pelham, as
General Lee had styled him, and then MT.
Slavraker made touching alluslon 10
General Lee. whom he characterized as
the erandest hero of all time ana the
grandest man who ever lVeu on this oon,
tinent. His defeat was only touched upon
nv the speaker, but his success in making
for himself an endurable character was
handled I'm eloquent manner. In con-
clusion. Mr.. Slaymlker spoke dlrectly 70
the men who had followed Lee, anu nxen1 SJe
upon them To live up TO the eXaihpie
which their illustrious leader hau se'
"OUR FITZ." TALKS.
After this speech. the bugler OF the
band sounded Boots ana Sd nl.h ,rn-
duced Governor Lee, General Lee anu
our own FitZ. Lee" to speak on pehaIl
of the cavalry of the Army or NortheIn
Virginia. General Lee. acknowleuslns
the introduction with a smile, calne 10 .
ward while cheer after cheer smote the
atmosphere, and hats were thrown en-,
Enthusiastically in the air. Waiting uh UNI
he could secure silence the Seh hera here here
i'm Laughing tones: WHO'S Deen net
since I'VE been gomez SomeDoqy mas :
Lee Camp has; the Sons or veterans
have. the ladies, God bless thefn, nav,
for see great improvements around thls
old home since last visited IT.
General Lee here told an amusing story
on General Grant. He SAID that wn zen
Grant was in Hanover az the heao VI ans ,e
army lady sent her h. ,'as Do}yne ,rhe
General told the youngster that ne WI
ICING either to Richmond, PetersDurs
Heaven or-the other place. en-,
ioined the lad, you cant 80 10 ~ " -
mond. for Lee is there; you Ian 11oc,x.
-, a. in Heaven and-well L guess you
o oo Get in down below, because there aie
S,etrttx, few Confederates there. 49,
~ ..Grsnt did get into Richmond, .ne
,,'aLar continued. because the atteIlu'
ated army Of the Conleaeracy ma1 no,
zled out and gauZy, anu 'He'
resist his attack , ,,,,r,-,u,
coraraI lee grew humorous as he pro-
osS md cave a most entertaining oe-
oor,rtion of warfare as 1t VIII De Waseu
~ H. frture on bicycles and in balloons.
| r.e,,;rg serious however. ne gave
1iO,TSdce absorption of the innumerapie
ss,,irn,ishes i'm which the cavalry OF Lee
army participated ahI p ~ detail S of his
..'.,nDderful raid around McClenaiis army,
nce.,.nlimentary illusions were also niaue
Soni ~ General to Hampton, rorrest !,
Wyheeler Payne. Butler, and Young anu