Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-01-20
CONFEDERATE VETERANS
BANQUET

va" "oon onsiciPateu, the DAnque
In commemoration OF Gen. Robert E
Lees birthday. given by R. E. LIE,
Camp Of Confederate Veterans of thil
city, last night, was in keeping will
those which have preceded it. Thrill
ing speeches, pathetic stories and con
siderable humor characterized the occa
sion throughout, and the manifestation,
OF unfeigned enjoyment seemed more
marked than usual. Everything pass
ed of 10 the most satisfactory name,
and all who attended enjoyed feast O.
soul as we'll as OF body.
The banquet hall 10 Potomac Lodge
building, on north Columbus street. had
been tastefully decorated. Time-hoa
ored battle flags, State flags and nation.
al emblems blended, while tho banner
of the camp, bearing the portrait of the
great chieftain from whom the camp
takes its name, shone to good effect on
the south side of the room. Mr.. II. P,
Helwig, the caterer, had arranged the
tables as only an expert can, everything
] which entered into tho menu having
been prepared 10 frst-class style. By
the side of each plate was q beautiful
specimen of printing (the work of Mr..
Horace Ramey) in the shape of q four
page programme of exercises, including
the menu. These were bound with
dainty red and white ribbons.
The camp was called to meet at half.
past seven O'Clock in their hall, corner
of Prince and Fairfax streets. After
the disposition of some routine business
the members and some OF their friends
formed in line and proceeded in body
to the banquet hall, arriving there
shortly after eight o'clock. The night
was dark. fogey and dismal, with occa
sional rain, and the gloom without was
in marked contrast to the scene within.
Several minutes elapsed before all
could be assigned places at the tables,
and this having been accomplished
Commander A. G. Wyckof raped the
assembly to order when Rev. DIR. F. E.
Brooke. now filling the pulpit of the
Second Presbyterian Church, asked q
blessing. The company having been
seated the hum of conversation and the
glee characteristic of such gatherings
J followed and continued for nearly an
I hour.
Finally Commander Wyckoff rose
and once more raped for order. Hav.
ing secured attention he welcomed the
guests and referred to the anniversary
, which was being celebrated in a few
well.chosen remarks, speaking in q
touching manner of the ilustriOus
chieftsin, the birthday of whom was
not being honored in Alexandria only,
but throughout a large portion of the
country. He subsequently introduced
Hon. David E. Johnson, of West Vir.
ginia, who was to repond to the toast ::
"Our Great Commander. Robert E.
Lee. He obeyed the call OF law and
duty; his courage was sublime; his gen.
eralship was masterful; he was always
soldier; he was obedient to authority
as a servant and royal in authority as a
king; he was az gentle az q woman 10
life and pure and modest as virgin in
thought"
That there had been no mistake in
the assignment of this sentiment to Mr..
johnson was apparent as soon az he be-
gan to speak, his remarks having been
carefully prepared and we'll delivered.
The conception was good, and the
thoughts suggested and the sentiments
expressed ELECTED much applause and
thrilled all present. During the deliv-
cry of his speech he pointed to General
Lees portrait, terming him "that good
man on the WALL" whose peculiar
charm. deeds of the past and heroism
were destined never to fade. The
fame of some, he said. is measured by
success, but 1t is not always so. Here
10 old Alexandria, under the shadow
of General Lees home, it can truly be
said of him that which can be said of
no others, that though he battled for
principles which failed OF recognition
his true greatness but shone the
brighter, while the civilized world e.
tesmed his worth the more. He was
an educated American, an able and
heroic soldier and a true Virgnisn,
and, while man OF peace, when war
became inevitable be could not strike
his mother State whose sovereignty he
saw was to be disputed. The issue
was but difference OF opinion between
the two great sections of the country
after all, and when the true history OF
the struggle shall have been written it
will be seen that the South after all that
has been said, never warred against the
American union, but fought for what
it believed to be q fundamental prin.
rights. Virginia. the
speaker said, gave her last voice for
peace-this old State whose sons were
80 prominent in the formation of the
country. When the conflict could no
longer be deferred she called for her gal
liant Lee. The speaker said he could
call attention to nothing new in connec-
ton with that four-years struggle. He
was proud, however, OF being an e1-
soldier; he had 10 apology
10 offer for bis course, but he was now
for constitutional liberty With no ill-will
toward the brave of either side. He |
claimed nothing az an ex-Canfederate
that he was not willing to accord to the |
soldier who wore the blue.
Some of his good neighbors today are
men who had fought under the Stars
and Stripes and toward whom he had
he b st feeling. And why not? Al
* federal captain of the federal army
,odsy is looking after the Confederate
lead at Camp Chase. They OF both
sides were true Americans, they tough,
or convictions they believed sacred and
'uch conduct is unexplaiuable even to
heir enemies. The speaker iu closing
again alluded to General Lee 10 the
m oot 6ftipu formo md 6nolIv tOOk hia |