The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-01-20
OLD VETERANS IN Line.
EX.Confads Of Hansem0nd Celebrate the
Birth oflesin a ROYAL Manner.
SPLENDID GRAFTON OF MR.. E.E. HOLLAND
with ornate English nnd Impnssion.
ed EioIuence He Pictures the
Spirndid Character aud Services
of the Imnorini Lee-Oihcr Ad.
ircsscs-.A banquet.

! sircsscs-A Bnnquet.
Suffolk, Va, jan 19.-(SpcciaD-This |
was veterans day-a holiday made so
through patriotic reverence for cause
which. though lost, is stu dear to the
hearts which palpitate beneath these
Southern skies. The old vets paraded.
cheered and shouted-yelled with a vigor
CHARACTERISTIC of those days when they
shouidered guns for the Confcderacy,
when LIES spark burned stronger and
when their views were permeated by the
lire of enthusiasm. The memory OF
their chieftain. the man whose military
achievements will be revered by gene
ratieps yet to come, was made verdant
demeanor, their tears. They were
young agan-these wrinkled visaged
gray haired warriors as they shouted
mighty tribute to their leader 1t was
o touching scene, even to those then un-
Born In the days which tried mems souls
and their courage as well.
The whole town did homage to the
cause Never was the natal day of
General Robert E. Lee. whose body
had, lain beneath the sod more
than quarter OF a century, been so
generally recognized in Suffolk. Prac-
ticaily every branch of business was
suspended and employees, as well as pro-
prietors. helped TO swell the crowd which
saw the demonstrations and heard the
words of enconium. The streets through
which the parade passed were lined with
spectators and many followed I'm the
soldiers wake as they marched TO mar
tial music. There was military pomp
and civil dignity.
Headed by the Phoenix Military Band
the column moved from the City Hall
at o'clock 1t was composed of the
police. Suffolk Light Infantry. Capt l..
"a. Norfleet: Suffolk Grays. Lieut.. c. II.
Causey, Jr., and the Tom Smith Camp
of Confederate Veterans. Adiutant John
+. Lotzia. Men cheered and ladies APP
plauded as the old vets In their new gray
coats. dark pants and white hats
marched by with stately tread.
4 When the line of march was ended
soldiers and citizens filed into the audi
forum OF the City Hall Theatre to hear
an oration by Hon. e. e. Holland The
hali's seating capacity was insufficient
for the audience. Many stood along the
aisles and sat in windows. The balco-
MES were crowded with children. The
vets sat on the stage, which was draped
with Confederate flags. a life sized por-
triat OF Gen. Robert IL. Lee was I'm the
center Cen. l.. S. Baker occupied the
seat of honor just beside the dead
! warriors picture. The band played pa
triotic tunes at intervals. Before the
exercises were over almost every per-
son in the hall was imbued with n feel
ing of emotion. Some cried.
Capt. George Il. Parker was master of
ceremonies. The camps chaplain. Rev.
ID. b. Austin. opened with pretty
prayer. He thanked God that the world
had Lees example, but he prayed that
In future the art of war should be culti-
waited only as guarantee of peace. He
prayed for unfortunate veterans and
their suffering families.
Owing TO the illness of Col. r. S. Boy
kin. who was scheduled to do the intro
dlIcinU Mr. II ilhv took his
place, and did 1t very gracefully. He
said the assembly represented In part n
lost cause.-The people who had for -four
years followed banner that was daily
target. They represented an army
whose patriotism, courage and unset
fish devotion were unparalleled in the
worlds history. They were assembled
to do honor to the memory of a match
less leader. the greatest military genius,
living or dead, man who was Is gentle
as he was brave, as chivalrous as he
was great. man whose deeds were
sung in every country and continent
r.. +. Lee. Uong applause)
Mr.. Hollands appearance was the
signal for more cheering. He made a
splendid GRAFTON, Notwithstanding he
was'net In extra voice. owing to hoarse-
ness. .Orpamented With pleasing clo-
Qnehce and sentimental paragraphs lie
gaveoan accurate, and complete biogra-
physofS General Lee, toge tfer with many
which he fought, as well as the closing
days of the leaders life. II was al
most continued eulogy of Lee and his
followers. He spoke for nearly an hour.
Applause was frequent and spontaneous.
Concluding an introduction the orator
said this was an intensely practical age,
when the consuming eagerness for gain
had Almost suppianted the feelings o;
humanity and sentiment inspired by
the lives of heroes and patriots.
The desire for wealth was the product
OF the present civilization. and II was
{ being pursued with pace that kills. It
was pleasure to turn back to the times
of other days. He spurned with con-
tempt the thought that the ways of the
fathers were growing obsolete. Thoughts
OF Johnson. Jackson and Lee were still
sufficiently strong to fill the heart with
emotion.
Enthused by his deeds of prowess and
Virtue, the orator still had on this. the
nineteth anniversary Of Lees birth.
enough inspiration to paint beautiful
picture of the man whose life will ever
live.
Lee" he said. was foe without
hate, friend without treachery. pub
4 Tic OFFICER without vices. a private citi-
2 zen with no wrong, a neighbor without
reproach Christian without hypoc-
arisy. man without guilt. q Caesar with
e out ms ambition. Frederick without
4 MS tyranny. Washington without his
}, reward; as gentle as woman in life,