The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-05-31
FREDERICKSBURG VA. THURSDAY. MAY 81, 1900.

mer or amidst the Bleet OF hhoH VI
winter ne stood, unmoved from his
unalterable resolve. No grander, no
more beautiful, no more splendid ex'
preston ot the very highest type OF man
hood could be found, than was found 10
the life Of the private soldier OF both or
either army, and when the war ended
with them verify it ended and
they all Joined hands In q fraternity OF
oomradeship which was we'll exhibited
by that private soldier OF your army.
who mtnistered to my necessities and
cheered me In my sadness as | sat IN
der the very shadow of defeat and amid {
the gloom Of surrender at App0mattox
and members OF the Society OF the
Army Of the Potomac. 30 which that
private belonged. and 90 which We oi
the Army Of Northern Virginia sur
rendered, meet and greet you on
your first reunion south OF the river
whose name you bear, we Of the South
will ever cherish. ever pay the homage
Of our hearts best devotion to the men,
ory Of our great cause and its cham.
pious. we will ever keep them hallowed
and sacred but with us the war Is over.
we pay allegiance and bear full
fealty to this great republic OF ours,
aud the men. and the sons OF the meD
ELo followed Lee and jackson, stand
ready with you 10 defend, always and
everywhere, the honor, the integrity
and the interest OF this fair land OF ours
against all foes whether from within or
without It's borders We worship at the
same shrine Of liberty There Is only
one flag now; il Is our fig and yours
under It's shadow we stand with the
men of your army. And now. tonight
at this reunion. in this presencs, let me
urge, as the shibboleth, the motto Ct
both armies, 20 be our inspiration In
peace. our rallying cry. II needs be. In
war this" Whom God hath joined TO
gether let no party. no people, and no
power pat asunder.
ST. GEO. R. FITzHUGH's ADDRESS.
The address Of welco ne 10 President
Mckinley and the Society Of the Army
of the Potomac at the courthouse on
Friday. was a masterpiece OF eloquence.
The Free Lance has had numerous re-
quests to publish it. and. learning that
the sterographic report Of IL was incor
rect, Mr.. Fitztrgh has revised it
for rs:
Mr.. Chairman 1t is with feelings
Of profound pride and unfeigned pleas
ure that our entire community extends
a cordial and hearty welcome to the II.
lustrous Chief Magistrate Of our coun
Try. who honors Us with his presence
to-day. We recogoizs Ia our President
the pure patriot and the stainless
statesman. whose wise and courageous
administration, In both war and peace,
has endeared him 30 the hearts Of his
oountrymen, and has shed new lustre,
upon the exalted office which he fills. Z
Our people also welcome with much
pride and warmth his eminent official
| family. and the brilliant commander.
in chief of our invinoible army, and all
these distinguished men before me, who
are guests Of the Society Of the Army
of the Potomac, and Of our CITY.
And cow, our friends Of the Society
| Of the Army Of the Potomac. | find it
difficult 20 command adequate words
with which TO express to you the supreme
qualification and enthusiasm Of our peo-
| pie at your prompt acceptance OF their
invitation to hold your annual reunion
in this old town, and at your presence
here 30. day in such numbers.
We not only welcome you with open
arms and glowing hearts, but we feel
that this action on your part rises to the
dignity Of an impressive epoch In our
national life; and we are not surprised
that our illustrious President and all
| eko~o lfokfnnufahaH man ohOuld dQaiFa
to grace this inspiring occasion with
their presence.
Ills the first time that your Society
has held one of its annual reunions on
Southern soil aud in making this new
departure Ii was pre-eminently fit that
you should honor fredericksburg with
your choice.
A French philosopher has written,
HAPPY the people whose annals are
tiresome, f" but the far nobler and more
inspiring thought of the Anglo Saxon
race Is that character constitutes the
true strength Of nations, and historic
glory their best inheritance
AS American citizens you are proud
Of the grand traditions and heroic
memories that crowd your country 8
history and nowhere else on this con.
tinent could your feet tread on ground
more hallowed by historic memories
than here.
/ think before yon leave Us you will
acknowledge that If the immortal names
and deeds that this locality suggests
should be stricken from the annals OF
time most of the present school books
| of our country would be valueless, and
our national history itself would be as
the play Of Hamlet with Hamlet left
out.
The school boys and girls Of our
whole country are familiar with the
story Of Capt John Smith and Poca.
hontas. and history records that zigh'
here Capt John Smith battled with
aud repulsed the Indians. So we may
, fairly claim without the exercise OF
poetic license that she struggle OF she
AnRlo.Saxon race to establish itI
civilization and supremacy on this con
! tinent commenced on this spot In 1908,
| Just one year after Jamestown wal
I settled.
. If we should draw circle around
shis ancient city with q radius Of lesI
! than fifty miles we should fnd within
. that narrow compass she birthplace
. Of George Washington, Of Thomas JEFF
} ferson, of James Madison, Of Jame
/ Monroe, Of Zachary Taylor, OF Ohiei
s Justice John Marshall. Of the Lees o.
the Revolution, Of Patrick Henry, o.
! Henry Clay, Of Matthew Maury and O
: Robert Z. Lee. II we should extend
. the circle but q very, very little, !
/. would also embrace the birthplace o
William Henry Harrisou, OF John lyle
D and OF Winfield Scott. and likewise th
4 birthplace Of this Republic at York
= town.
4 Is there any other similar segmen
Q Of space on the habitable globe 30 re
J. splendent with stars Of the first mag
nitude2
!. Seven Presidents of the United States
i and three Of the greatest militsF.
i leaders Of modern times were borI
3 within two hours ride Of this city esti
9 mated according 30 the most improves
d modern methods Of travel
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