The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-01-21
Memory Of Lee and Jackson HOnOred BIZ
Old C0afedeTateS.
JUDGE PRENIIS SPEAKS ELOQU6ATLY


Suffolk. Va, Jan. 20. -(SpcciaD The
Tom Smith Camp OF Confederate Vet
erans did themselves proud to-day. 1t
was IA splendid celebration. Military
ana civic organizations took part in
the parade. The Phoenix Band played
Southern airs that made old soldiers
blood run more swiftly, their steps
more elastic. their faces brighter, their
souls molc patriotic. They were young
again and in memory they lived over
their gallant deeds Of bravery. The
misty past almcSt seemed TO reveal
the faces Of dead comrades. Little
waves Of enthusiasm courscd through
their quickcned blood as eloquent lips
tod OF heroic deeds and noble achieve
mcnts Of dead generals
Fhe parade was short the "a in thick
the mud sticky. The organiza lions al
ready mentioned in The Eirgnian took
part. A big crowd gathered in the
CITY Hail auditorium 10 hear Judge X.
X. i'rcntiS' Grafton. They Were not
disappointed. Judge Prentis made Il
pcautiiul GRAFTON. 1t was well COM
posed and cloqucntly delivered. There
were spontaneous bursts Of applause
The audience was pleased The vets
We're delighted. They rushed to shake
ms hands when the peroraton was said.
some eyes were moist Judge Pren:is'
speech would make about four columns
IN The Nirginian and cannot be given
in full
Mr.. V. s. Kllby introduced the ora
Tor after being himself Introduced by
Col. II. w. Smith. Mr.. Kilby's intro
duction comprised some touching al
ausions to the civil strife made in
Well-chosen words, feeiingly said 1t
was IL gem
judge Preniis said, III part:
90 not occupy this conspicuous
position this afternoon through any
choice Of my own. do not feel fitted
either by natural aptitude or cultiva-
tion to fill crcdtah!y the position in
Which find myself | am here In re-
spouse 10 the most urgent and pressing
invitation q these good friends of
mine, conveyed 10 me in such q way
was unable 10 decline Not that | lack
sympathy With this celebration dts
true purpose being rightly unaerstuodD.
iut | feel that IN us who were either
unborn or NJ Our mothers knees dur
lnS those years that tried mems souls,
IL would he mare bcCOmlng To sit and
learn al the feet Of these who have
J. aue he pages of history bright with
their dee's in those stirring times.
We arc not hero to-day tn reopen
the questions Of war 1t has been de-
tcrminsd that instead Of two great re-
rnrlics in North America there shan
he n3ly one--thut instead Of Two flags
only the Stars and Stripes shall nout
ti!umEhantiy over the free people OF
these United States.
ihc Southern people are as true
to-day 20 their duties us citizens as
the r"2plc Of any other section of the
country As they contributed of their
blood and treasure in the Revolution.
In the war Ct 1912, ana IN The war with
AeXico to make thai flag grtut so
they stand to-day ready to maintain
It's present proud position. No, we are
not here TO reopen the questions Of
war
Nor are We here to reopen the
wounds NJ war. When we think OF
our fathers ana brothers. our hus-
bands and lovers who went down into
the dark valley during the clash nf
arms: when we think Of the rich blood
which was offered rs n sacrifice upon
the altar Of sectional strife; when we
think Of the cold and the heat which
Our heroes in the field faced with I'M
h:nchinS front; when We think Of the
fatherless children who wcrH at home
crying for bread, and the broken
hearted mothers bearing double bur
dens. the thi!T: ana The starvation
which accompanied the shock OF bat
tle--when we think Of al the lost
s--r--[.---------------