The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-01-20
HERO OF THE SOUTH
Pickett Buchanan Camp, Confederate Vet
Grams, Celebrates With a Banquet,
BIRTHDAY Of GEN. ROBERT E. LEE
Speeches and Patriotism Charnctcr.
izcd tho Occasion-n Tribute to
Prcsident Andrews Confcd-
crmte Private. the Army and the
Daughters of tho South Eulogizrd.


| out of its scabbord-ncver hand
| Waved sword from stain as free.
| Nor purcr sword led Drawer band;
Nor Drawer bled for brighter land;
Nor brighter hnd had q cause SO
grand;
Nor cause a chief like Lee
Beneath the daylight radiance of
| electric lights. in the spacious dining
hall OF the Atlantic Hotel, the battle
Scared veterans Of the Confederacy
gathered last evening to celebrate
round the fcstal bourd the natal an
| nlversary of their hero, the great
Southron. Robert T.. Lee. The scene
beneath those cleaning lights was one
TO be remembered 1t was a Joyous
scene. and yet one not unmixed with
sadness. Around the beautiful tables
| ranged Oh three sides of hollow
square and laden with choicest vivands
ana brilliant with the verdure Of
potted plants, sat one hundred men
VINO wore the Gray uniform. counter
part OF those they had donned in the
early sixties. when the tocsin of war
was sounded, and they rushed some OF
them impctuouS boys, to the aid Of
their beloved Southland. Surrounded.
as they were. last evening by every
luxury II was perhaps difficult for
those Gray-clad veterans to realize
themselves how thlrty-seven years ago
they endured hardships and prvations,
danger and wounds, and how. In the
race or such suffering, they had fol-
lowed so unfalter,ngly even the leader
SHIP of the hero whose memory they
now gathered to honor. The number
AT the banquet was smaller than last
year, but such reflections did nc. de-
press the heroes. Every speech made
during the evening breathed the spirit
OF courage undying, ind showed that,
although the Confederate veterans
grow old and their ranks diminish, yet
lhey are the ideal types of American
chivalry and manhood
The banquet last night was per-
feet affair. Every delicacy Of the sea-
son was included in the menu, and
the courses followed each other with
an absence Of any hitch In fact, the
service was as perfect as the ar
raiEemcnts were elaborate. and the
Messrs. Dodson richly merited the
vote of thanks rendered them by the
camp.
At the head OF the table was n mag
nificcnt portrait or General Lee.
painted by Mr.. George Is. Mathews, Of
Washington City 1t was nanked by
Confederate battle and headquarters
flags. Toastmaster Todd, the speak
the press sat at the eastern table.
After the cigars were lighted the
toastma Stcr raped for order and an
nounced the speakers.
Judge IL. NJ. Whitchurst responded
to the toast The Day We Celebrate"
He said, in part:
IL les pleasant and instructive to con-
template the life of n great man, and
the name of the one this day COM
memorates nwakens many such re-
Elections.
Distance is ever enchanting, envir-
onment distracting and men appear
greater when viewed through the
pages of ancient history than through
the memories of our own day and
generation.
Military conquest is not the sole
evidence Of greatness. IF 1t were, only
the strong in body and mind might be
classed great. The moral element in
man should always have the larger
consideration, and he Is only great
who, while achieving. whether In civil
or military life. leaves his impress for
good on his fellow man. Such man
was Robert Il. Lee who, while he did
not conquer territory, nor subiugatc
peoples, yet through his military life.
and in the very hour Of his surrender
anu IN subsequent retirement, never
faltered in the discharge of duty by
the very largencss of his soul, gained
such ascendcncy over the hearts and
lives Of his soldiers and people MS has
been fruitful in good to the present
generation of men. and shall ever be
so long as men shall appreciate the
virtues Of L Christian soldier and
gentleman.
During the late war your speaker.
as private and officer in the Army of
Northern Virginia, confidently recog-
niZed and cheerfdlly followed him as
leader. He knew but little Of him until
the battles around Richmond, where,
with Jackson and his other lcutenants.
he achieved such Il victory as struck
the enemy all up in a heap. Then il
was he became the central figure OF
trust To the private soldier, and from
thence confidence In Uncle Robert"
grew day by day until the relation be-
tween soldier and his leader became
beautiful in truth and in deed
Through the long marches and the bat
ties Of Second Manassas. where we
won against odds; Sharpshurg, drawn.
but preceded by the capture of IIar-
per's Ferry: Fredericksburg, won:
Charlottesville, won. but at the great
cost in losing Jackson, one of the
brightest executive officers Of ancient
or modern times; Gettysburg, lost to
victory but not in confidence in Lee
Spottsyivania, drawn. where Grant
commencing his flank movements of
attr!;ion. received al Cold Harbor such
drubbing as should have provoked
proposals for peace but for The illim-
liable supply of men ana means nj his
gave Lee the splendid victory at
or a nd ttnr No G,,, 4