The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-01-23
Apent The celebration Of the anniver.

Anent the celebration Of the anniver.
sary of Gen. X. e. Lees birthday at
the Opera House on Friday night last.
an account Of which was published in
these columns the day following. The
Free Lance desires TO make further
comment. We have never seen more
successful or elaborate affair gotten
up within SO short period. The old
veterans were supremely happy. bask-
ing under the smiles Of the ladies. while
the Sons and Daughters We'd with each
other in laudable emulation to make
the occasion one Of pleasure and suc.
cess. coverings band rolled off mar
tial music, the ohoirs and other psrtic-
ipants carried out the intei esting pro-
gram prepared By the Committee on
Arrangements without hitch or halt.
Rev. ]. p. Stump was detained at a
revival in progress at his church. but
Rev. DR.. J. S. Dill was pressed into
service. and eloquently read Lees
Farewell Address " An interesting
paper on General Lee was read by
Capt. S Quinn, and short i'm.
promptu speeches were made by Major
r. o Peatross and Judge E. O. Mon
cure. The supper was bounteous one,
so that after the ladies. veterans and
others present had partaken Of it, the
boys" were invited to enjoy the
feast, which they did with great gusto.
Amid it all there was not one unkind
word spoken or an allusion in but the
friendliest manner to our one.time foes
aud this happy Circumstance was COM
mented upon and much applauded by
several visitors from the North.
In addition to the accounts already
published The Free Lance wishes
to congratulate Msury Damp. the
Daughters Of the Oonfederacy and the
ladies who assisted them, and Col. j.
A. Turner, of the Sons Of Veterans,
upon the splendid manner in which
the affair was conducted. Maury Camp
Of Veterans, beaded by that courteous
gentleman, Judge Jno L. Goodrich,
was indeed an inspiring body Of men,
who yet bore ON their fsces-grim, but
buoyant with the light Of other
days-marks of the hardships Of those
days that tried mems souls; but there
still burned Quiescent that spirit OF
chivalry and patriotism which had been
an inspiration in the heydey Of youth,
when they went forth to battle for their
affairs and their fires Subordinated al
all times to the DEGREES Of the God Of
battles, did we not yet keep alive the
spark of love and heroism Of that day
we should be recreant TO all that nature
has made best in man and false to the
noblest trusts that can be imposed upon
human souls. Long life to our south
ern heroes, and plenty Of such tender
and loving care as they receive at the
hands Of the ladies'
The ladies We say, reverently, "God
bless them "Worthy,daughters ofIvalisni
sires and heroic danes They, too, are
instilled with the same spirit that urged
their mothers TO forsske home and III
comforts that they might bind, with
loving touch such as only these angel;
of mercy could impart, the soldier
wounds; or who sat beside the light.
wood torch to ply the needle that kept
his shorn body from the tempest
wrath wee. even with the spirit of thai
heroine, who, when the beleagured gar
rison was crying for bread, mounted
her steed at nightfsll and dashed
through the enemy's pickets to carry
the cry for help to a friendly post. Re-
turing after accomplishing her mission
she fell
Like an animal stricken-one moan
Dead, with q ball in her bosom OF white
Days Of ohivalry, valiant and bright
Hearts made Of passion leaf, wills tha
were stone