Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-14
DIR. JONES ON WAR.
AN EARNEST SPEECH MADE BE-
FORE LEE CAMP LAST NIGHT.
SHOULD REMEMBER CONPEDHRATES.
Dcwey's Victory Not Comparable
With the Achievements of the
MerrImac-yeterans Too Prone tn
Forget the Past.
ictory Not Comparable
Forget the Past.

r. T.. Lee Camp, No I, held its regular
meeting last night, and goodly num-
Der Of the veterans were on hand 10
discuss war topics and talk over old
times. An invitation was received from
the Hebrew Memorial Association for
the veterans TO participate In the cere-
monies incident 10 Memorial-Day at the
Hebrew Cemetery, and was accepted,
the camp deciding to meet at their haH
and march to the cemetery.
1t was announced that the death OF
Mr. J. b. Mckinney had created a va
cancy in the Board of Visitors to the
Soldiers Home, and Messrs. +. Leslie
Spence and L. Jeter Bosher were nomina-
ted for the office. Under the rules OF the
camp. these nominations have to lay on
the table fo- one week, and hence the
election will not be held until next Fri
day night.
DR. JONES'S TALK.
After the business of the camp had
been disposed Of Rev. DR.. j. William
Jones arose. and. referring TO the present
war excitement. said he feared that the
excitement would cause the people OF the
South TO lose the interest in that war
the memory of which Lee Camp was
banded together to perpetuate. Il nave
nothing 10 say TO lessen the zeal OF those
who rally around our common nag ne
said. but | would not allow the memory
of lS6l-65 TO perish on account Of this
or any other war. We are too prone TO
exaggerate the things that are nearest
rDfa 10 10
achieved by that gallant sailor. Commo-
dore Dewey IL was a superb victory
and vet. when we speak Of it as the
greatest victory ever achieved by Amerl-
can seamen, we draw II little too
strong. When we study the war OF 1872,
and realize the difference in the SHIPS,
the calibre of the guns, and the cireum-
stances that surrounded the fighting IN
those days. we will, | think, find paral-
lei: and study will also show that De-
wey's victory is not comparable with the
achievements Of our own Merrimac In
1867
The NIRGlN1AS VICTORY.
81 was in Norfolk a few days ago. and
saw those magnificent oattlesnips lying
AT rest, in Hampton Roads. | was struck
with one tact in connection with them.
They were all modelled. not after Erlcs-
sons monitor. but alter Brooke Nlr-
ginia. These modern fighting-machines are
not the result of evolution from the
ScOtchmans idea. but arc designed after
the idea of Commodore Maury's able as
sistant Therefore II was John NJ. Brooke
who revolutionized modern naval warfare.
When | saw those massive ships floating
so quietly i'm Hampton Roads my Conied-
crate heart leaped with pride When /
thought that on those very waters our
ship. the Virginia. whipped the monitor.
me Virginia did WHIP her. she drove
her under the guns Of Fort Monroe for
shelter. and sailed supreme over those
waters until after the evacuation Of Nor
folk and Yorktown, when the Virginia
was forced 10 her destruction.
THE DEEDS OF 1851.
81 have nothing TO say" DR.. Jones con-
tmued, to detract from the zeal mani
Tested by the young men now gathered
at Camp Lee. The boys there assembled
will do their duty. but after the victory is
won Il take it that that will be the result
of the fghO they will not be able TO show
achievements superior to-n2y, equal to
those of the fair-haired mothers darlings
of 1861. VINO became veterans after four
years arduous service. Those boys made
a history WHICH is unequalled.'
When Dr. Jones took his seat Mr.. smith
BEDFORD arose. Said he: II s'ppose il will
be CONSIDERED treason but when 1 tnlnk
of those Spaniards. who fought their ships
10 the last ana went down with them
rather than surrender, feel like saluting
their memory"
As Mr. Redford took his sea, Com
mander Iaughton remarked. soto vOce,
Il hope more OF them will share the same
fate" and with this the matter was dis
missed.