The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-08-23
THE PRoTRA1T PRESENTATION.
A Picture Of Gen. L. OBJ. Branch Presented to
L. OBJ. Branch Camp.


Yesterday afternoon at the head
quarters of the L. OBJ. Branch camp
of Confederate Veterans, picture of
the illustrious soldier, after whom the
camp is called, was presented to the
camp. Headquarters were crowded
with veterans to witness the presen-
tation.
Captain C. b. benson introduced
Col. Jas. A. Bryan, of Newbern, who
made the presentation speech. Capt.
benson was happy in the introduce
ton as he always is on such occa-
siOns.
Col. Bryan in presenting the picture
said in part:
ut is not my purpose on this oc-
casion, fellow soldiers, to indulge in
any very extended panegyric or eu-
logy upon Gen. Branch, for in his in
stance, the day for panegyric, the time
for eulogy has passed. His deeds
have become part of the history of
his country; his pre-emlnence as a
statesman and parliamentary leader
as widely known as the boundaries
of the continent; and his fame, as a
soldier, as broad as the knowledge of
the mighty struggle in which it was
won.
His position in the national Con-
gress upon the great constitutional
questions at that time agitating the
country, and his clear perception OF
the fearful, physical and economic
consequences of a war between the
States, and his heroic efforts to avert
a struggle which he predicted would
shake our government structure to its
very foundation and give to constitu
tional freedom and individual liberty
blow from which for generations
they would not recover, stamped him
as the wisest of statesmen and the
grandest of patriots. Incorruptible
in his dealings with his fellow men;
as pure in the honesty of his purpose
as the blushing maiden in her
thoughts; with fearlessness in de
bate born of the courage of his con-
victions; his unselfish aim the good
of his people and the welfare and
greatness of his country, he stood in
the great assembly of the nation peer
less among peers, a central figure IL
that group of giants upon whose fla
depended peace or war between the
States, an acknowledged leader q
men, knight without fear and with
out reproach.
''As the clouds of international strife
and discord began to lower arounc
his people and his section, and the
deep, low mutterings of savage wal
to be heard upon the Southern Dor
der, he left his seat in the Congress
of the United States and, returning
to his home in Raleigh, gave to thu
councils of his native State the bene
fit of his wisdom, and to its people
in his efforts to prepare them tt
breast the mighty storm that wa!
even then bursting at their doors, thu
example of his patriotism and hi
courage"
Col. Bryan's speech was graceful
but just tribute to the memory of /;
patriot and statesman.
Commander A. b. Stronach replied
in a few graceful remarks, accepting
the picture in behalf of the Camp. III,
paid a deserved tribute to the wome1
of the Confederacy, those upon whom
the blows of war fell hardest, anC
also referred touchingly to her wht
had presented the picture to tn
Camp.
The unwilling was done by littl,
Miss Stronach, the daughter of Mr.
"A. B. Stronach.
Miss Irvine Davis, Of Kentucky
then recited, ''Stonewall jackson
Way" Miss Davis completely cap
tured the hearts of the North Carolin;
veterans at the Louisville reunion b'
her Kindness, her grace and her mum
berless charms. She is beautiful
young lady, who is as intellectual as
she is beautiful. Her recitation wa:
splendid, and these grizzled old vet
Grams who are as chivalrous as they
are brave, applauded to the echo
Of n
wish twenty years off his shoulders
The entire camp that never knew
retreat. has made unconditiona
surrender to- the battery of fail
visitors eyes. Miss Davis has beer
elected honorary member of tht
camp.