Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-01-21

W0lle his duufcco WAC htoo kuttflhFUeu
with no little pelhos. His descriptions
of certain sanguinary clashes, especial
ly that of the historic crater. were
thrilling, and the pictures he painted
showed that the Confederate soldier,
often ragged, barefooted and hun Try,
performed as gallant service as 10 to be
found in history, ancient or modern,
and the speaker said officers, while he
did not minimize their deeds, often got
more credit commemorate with their
services than the private, who
really did the work. He drew
u graphic picture OF the Southern sol
dier-.his privations with no prospect OF
reward, but animated o1ly by princl-
pies which were inborn-and referred
to the fact that when crushed by might
alone he resumed bis former occupation,
became useful and respected citizen,
and was not hunting o pension nor a
ecldiers' home, nor seeking permit for
the poor house. His was a great ex-
ample OF bravery and patriotism, which
the world was now beginning to under
stand. The speaker told many amus-
ing anecdotes OF the Southern soldier.
One was to the effect that on a certain
occasion \ member of the Army of
Northern Virginia was Mortified to ind
he was carrying with hin certain
parasites and complained to his general.
The latter coolly replied, 'OA that's
not biog; | have one I've carried since
the Mexican war. You emit DO a good
soldier without having them" The
general believed that crabs in the shells
of oysters showed the bivalves to be
first class aud that microbes were pro.
per credentials for q soldier. Colonel
Featherstone closed with q feeling
tribute to the wearer OF the gray; told
how he had unmurmuringIy performed
his duty in the face OF terrible odds;
compared his lot with those engaged in
the war with Spain, who wanted cook
log stoves and bath tubs, saying il was
no issue with the CoDfederates a. to
how he should cook his food, but his
| enigma was where to get something to
cook. He took bis seat amid grea. az
plause.
Hon. ]. w. Maddox, OF Georgia, fol-
lowed. His theme was "Olr Soldier
Boys" He was thoroughly at home
with bis subject and handled it admir-
| ably, at times becoming pathetic ard
ever ard anon throwing his hearers in
TO coDvulsions OF laughter. His, too,
was al ex tempore speech, out that
made il all the better. He began by
paying beau iful tribute to Alexan-
dria, and soon showed he was thorough.
ly familiar with its history aud ira
al 10 mi ka.
bone OF a galaxy of brilliant men fs-
mons ia the councils OF the nation. Dur
ing the delivery OF bis speech the
famous "yell' was heard and the entire
company became enthused. Mr.. Maddox
when fifteen years old became men,
Der of General Bedford Forests COM
msnd 10 the West, and bis recolectioLs
of the struggles 10 that part of the coun.
try during the war between the States
smusiDg. His recitals abounded in
divers sober facts and no little humor.
He kept his auditors In sort ofsea.saw
state-irst loudly applaudipg some
thrilling end pathetic picture and then
in explosions of laughter. His descrip.
tioDs OF the make shifts OF the Confeder-
ate soldier were very entertaining,
while bis pathetic portrsyals of bis de-
| privations, his uumurmuring spirit ard
apparent contentment amid the many
hardships to which he was subjected
we're vivid, and showed the wesrere OF
the gray TO be the true heroes of the
century just closed. He finished with q
beautiful tribute 10 the women of the
South, who nobly encouraged the gal
liant soldiers during the four years
struggle and who also submitted no.
complainiDely to deprivation OF all sorts
for the sake OF the principles husbands,
fathers and brothers were battling.
Hon. Claude A. Swanson, Of Vir-
GINA, was the last speaker, WHO ably
responded to the toaet "SoDs of Veter-
ans" The hour was late when be
arose, and be spoke only for short
time, but during that time his elcquence
was enhancing. His tribute to the Con-
lederate soldier was CLOWN and &C cb-
ed Ia language which was electrical 10
bis bearers, who applauded him loudly.
Mr.. Swanson rapidly traced the issues
which resulted 10 the 186l.'65 cor hict,
showed the noble impulses which AMI.
mated the Southern heart during the
four years struggle, asserting that the
cause was right and would so be record
ed 10 the pages OF eternal history, and
referred to Mount Vernon and Airing
ton so replete with history. He traced
graphically the part Virginians have
ever played in the affairs ofihe nation,
recited much OF the history Of the civil
wsr, described the Southern soldier,
and closed with the affirmation that the
sons OF all who fought under the stars
and bars would be worthy of their sires
and perpetuate their noble deeds.
1t was now nearly midnight. There
was one more feature OF the programme
the reading OF General Lees farewell
address--which wss performed by AID.
jutant 4. II. O'Brien.
On motion vote of thanks was ten.
dered to Mr.. Appich for the highly sat.
isfsctory manner In which be had pre-
pared the feast. after which the COM
pany adjourned al aglow with Joy at
the experiences OF the happy reunion
OF 1901.
COMMUNICATED.
AN APPEAL.-The attention OF the