The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-05-31
FLIGHTS OF EL0QUENCE.
Speeches Of Messrs. Eitshush and Cool
rick.

ericksburg Opera House on last hiiuny
night. before the assembled visitors
and guests, spoke as follows;
With sincere sentiments Of good will,
oommingled with sense OF gratitude
| welcome you within the gatos OF our
city. aud no man has better right 10
bid you come than myself-for just at
ter the surrender at Appomattox, vas
sitting on the roadside weary end worn'
soot.sore and hungry, with an intense
sOlicitude for q change OF my Dill OF
fare from parohed corn, upon whicn
had luxp-iated for about three days, when
a kind. hearted private soldier OF the
Army Of the Potomac, seeing my de-
jected and depressed appearance, came
TO me with words OF cheer. comfort and
kindn 8 aud putting his hand dowrilnto
his not over-stooked haversack, gave me
all his rations Of hsrd.tack and bacon,
and Immediately the gloom OF defeat
ceased 10 be so oppressive. and the Intense
hunger under which l laborod also
ceased. This act Of good-fellowship M.
der the conditions which confronted
me at once inspired fraternal feeling
for my euemy So you see, Mr Ohaii-
man I have a real right 90 be glad 10
ace here today the representatives OF that
army Of which my benefaotor was 3
member and TO bid you be OF gooo
cheer while you pitch your tents once
again on the old camp ground
You are now on a spot whicn Is
oonsecrated In the hearts OF the SOL
diers from the North and the South.
Within the sound Of my voice Meagh'
er's Irish Brigade immortalized Itself
bv a charge into the very jaws OF death,
a charge in which the Irishman express
ed his loyalty 20 the land Of his adoption,
and gave evidence Of that Unborn bravery
which has made his name illustrous ali
over the world Within this county
at Ohanoelorsville--th soldiers OF the
South conquered in battle where death
pulls ised the very air, which was won
by unpAralled bravery and matohless
strategy. tho il cost the life Of the
Southland g idolized Stonewall Jackson.
the very genius OF the war. Here the
two master military leaders met for the
first time at the Wilderness, where " Ar
commenced the march by parallel ool-
INNS. which eliminated In she surren
der OF the Army Of Northern Virginia,
by our grand old commander Lee 10 the
great and magnanimOus Grant On these
fields Americanism In its highest and
holiest sense was illustrated and illumi-
mated. Here o colossal column Of men
marched 10 death, testifying. thereby
the very highest expression OF patriot
ism-love Of country. For greater love
hath no man than this that he lay
down his life for his friends. 'Tis
TO this spot you have come-a place
W ich Is. and should be. the Necca OF
all lovers Of patriotism, selt.saoritice
and lofty devotion 20 duty. And these
have not been lost, and will not be, TOT
as the blood Of the martyrs was the SEED
and the seal Of the church so the blood
and the bravery Of the soldiers Of the
North and the South has already &C.
mented this Republic In a closer union.
There has been a good deal said here,
sir. to-day about peace. he who fought
ceased warfare when the war ended.
'Tis true il was waged with great energy
bv warriors. After Lee told his boys &C
90 home. and Grant said, Let as have
1eaoe." these warriors, after the war,
we're like that chaplain iD Early
army. who was seen going TO the rear
while the battle was raging In front
Early met him and asked him where nc
was going. To the rear 10 she hospital
department., said he. Why not stay II
the front? said old Jubal, for have
heard you u-ging my men for the las
six months 20 prepare TO go 30 Heaven
and now you have On opportunity TO 81
10 Heaven yourself, and you are dodg
ing 70 the rear. These men who wan
war and talk war now had the oppor
tunity to take part, but most OF then
did not feel so inclined when the battle
ragged fast and furious.
/ suppose, sir, however, l was called
10 talk tonight because l am rather 81
unique and curious living specimen o
a soldier, for was private, and ther'
are few now living. II Is said tina
lust before the surrender poor OLD SOL
iier laid down to sleep, and no slept,
la Rip Van Winkle for twenty years
Awsking up he rubbed his eyes. look
ing around, he called q man walking OF
the road side 20 him: Where. salt
the soldier, lis old Marse Bob Lee ant
his armv?" General Lee, replie'
the man ''why be has been dead man.
years. he surrendered his army ant
then died. " "Ah, said the private
.,ah then, where are all the generalsf
They - replied the man, have beeI
sent TO Congress I" "And what ha
heoome of the oolonels?" why the,
have been elected TO the Legislature.
''What about the majors and captain
ard lieutenantsI" ''They nave pee
made she,i9s and clerks and treasurers::
'Where, then, tell me, where In tn
world have the privates gone~ 9TH
nrivates. answered the man, i'why
thew are all dead. " And the old sol
dier rolled his eyes back and fell asiee
again. II here he were to awake tc
day, his eyes would be gladdened an
his heart made happy by monument
erected in Virginia's capital city an
elsewhere TO emphasize the love an
reverence with which the, memory
the brave private soldiers are held Dy
! grateful people. ~
7 Sir,fa be IL from me fD hold 10 eligr
estimation or little esteem the illustr
ous commanders ] am proud Of 90
grand and glorious leadership OF %
great captains. Lee and jackson, ana
willingly pay a tribute TO the greatsInel
Of Grant, and to the memory OF HaI
cock. 1.-THE Superb, " and the splendi
Meade. / would not, If l could, q
tempt to dim the lnstre Of their nami
and throw any shadow over the brign
ness Of their deeds. -.
was an humble private soldier
the Confederate army, and / am pror
here 30 proclaim that was follow
Of the peerless and ilIustrious Lee. b.
I stand here to pay my loving lriDu
TO the private soldier OF both armie
: rs splendid aohi ' ments, glar
, hert ism. unfaltering loyalty and III
fiinchiDg bravery has no parallel IN Q
time. He knew that if Ia the torefrol
Of the fight he were shot down that tne
his name would not be written on q
) scroll Of fame. his uncofiined body won
find sepulture In q nameless grave ~
he would have for an epitaph ~
known" Only a private shot 81
thus the story Of his daring and dyiI
would be told. Bot, knowing oil thl
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