Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-16
GEN. LEES BIRTHDAY
THE ARRANGEMENTS ron ITS
CELEBRATION on WEDNESDAY.
DR.. JONES WILL PREACH TONIGHT.
The Annual Service VIII he Held nt
Broad-sfrcet N. II. Church-Its OBJ
ser.ance Mt the Soldiers Home and
by Lee Camp.
by Lee Camp

or all the rod-letter days in the year
January tho 18th. perhaps, stands closest
to the heart OF the Virginian. The birth.
day Of General Robert l.. Lee has been
legal holiday since an act OF the Legis-
iature passed In the year 1880 made II
so, and its observance becomes more
general and more interesting with each
recurring anniversary. Partisans and
leaders. aiming at the overthrow OF Con-
federate institutions, may, while tempo
rarily In high places, keep up the false
cry OF rebel and traitor; but these
irrepressible outbursts OF popular senti-
ment, regarding no restraints on great
occasions which cause Nature to speak.
show clearly how this cry and charge
are regarded and looked upon by the
masses Of the people everywhere.
Everywhere General Lee Is honored.
not only as hero, but as a patriot, and
in these popular manifestations Of re-
spect and veneration for the man who
won all his glory in maintaining the
cause Of the sovereign right Of local self
government by the people Of the several
states OF this Continent. all friends Of
constitutional liberty should take fresh
courage in all political conflicts. never to
lower their standard of principles. The
name Of Lee is now beloved and respect
ed throughout the world. Men Of all
parties and opinions unite in this senti-
ment, not only those who thought and
fought with him. but those most violent
ly opposed to his political views and
career
1t is natural that his own people should
love and honor him as their great lead
er and defender in a struggle Of intense
bitterness. Ninety-one years ago he was
born, and twenty-seven years ago he
died, and each year since he passed away
seems to have brought him closer to the
hearts Of his people.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CELE-
BRATION.
The celebration OF General Lees birth
day Will begin with a special service 70
be held at Broad-Street Methodist church
tonight, at which the veterans Of Lee
and Pickett camps and other Confede-
rate organizations will be present. The
occasion will derive a particular interest
from the fact that Rev. Or. j. William
Jones, formerly OF Lexington, but now
OF Richmond, who was a close. personal !
friend Of the distinguished soldier, will /
preach upon THE Christian Character |
Of General Lee" The celebration proper /
will. however take place on Wednesday. /
All public Offices will he closed. and a |
general holiday, as far as possible, will |
be observed
At the Soldiers Home special services |
will be held in the chapel at 1890 o'clock,
conducted by Rev. Or. Landon Il. Mason,
rector OF Grace Protestant Epis-
copal church. After the church services
Hon. Charles VI. Wallace. the member
Of the House Of Delegates from Rich
nond, Will deliver an Grafton. At noon
4 salute Of seventeen guns will be fired
by the battery Of the home, and from
hat hour until 2 o'clock Colonel Bigger,
he commandant Of the institution, Will
lOld a reception at his quarters, where
Iee's men, who are inmates Of the home,
will be cordially received.
In the evening the regular campfire
will be held I'm Lee Camp Hail. and
warm welcome will BE- extended TO ALL
captain r. S. Parks, OF the Tenth Vir-
-nia Infantry, and q member Of the Le-
islature from Page county. will deliver
he address, and will be followed by other
vell-known speakers. The Tony Miller
has been engaged n con-
ribute the musical features of tho enter
linment, and the celebration will be
lade as interesting, instructive, and de-
ghtful az elOquence, good fellowship,
nd good cheer can make II.