Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-01-21
R.E.LEECANP BANQUET LAST NICHI

GUS stteet, YVES tuo eCcbc VI ohoeneA
happy occasion last night. 1t was the
regular annual reunion of Z. E. Lee
Camp OF Confederate Veterans, which
took place on the night OF Gene
raj Lees birthday, and was In
keeping with those OF by-gone years.
Everything possible that could 10 any
way have added to the Joy ment Of
those present had heen anticipated BY
the committee of arrangements, OF
which Capt. Thomas Perry was chair
man, and the caterer, Mr.. F. NJ. Bsche
lor, prepared q tempting menu. The
responses to the toasts were apt, CO.
livening and entertaining throughout,
and all present were unanimous 10 as
sorting that 1t was one of the most en-
joysble reunions they ever attened.
AS Is usual on such occasions the
members of the camp met 10 their ball
on the southeast corner OF Prince and
Fairfax streets at seven o'clock and
shortly afterwards marched 10 body
With their invited guests to Odd Fell
lows Hall where they found the tables
spread and all things ready. The con-
psDy having taken positions at the
tables the camp was raped to order by
Commander p. F. Gorman, after which
Rsv. Z. V. REGISTER Invoked blessing
upon the feast. The company was then
seated aud the discussion OF the COLA
ton followed.
0nly those who have enjoyed the
pleasure of being present and partici.
patiog 10 these old Confederate soldiers
baDqusts can fully appreciate the genu'
| inc flow OF soul manifest on such occa
stone. The happy mineliDg OF men
who we're comrades forty years ago re-
produces many "reminiscences OF war
lines. The privstions, narrow escapes,
So, mingled with recolleoticus oil
humorous incidents and practical jokes
upon one another we'll up 10 the soul
and fnd vent around the iestal board.
The company spent shout 40 hour 10
doing iustice to the feast aud when the
knives and forks were DO longer being
piled and smoke from cigars was as
cending Commander German once
more called the company to order and
unllH hClOOlnCu pACcOhhs
He began by saying he had no idea
OF making an address, although he had
been announced In the papers as one OF
the speakers, but before he concluded
had made neat and appropriate remarks
which were greatly spplauded. He
subse quently announced the toas', "Our
Lee--Ihs Hero of the Lost Cause 10 de.
votion to duty, simplicity OF life and
oobility of character, he will take the
| 6rst place ia the history Of the last cen
| tury." II wss TO have been responded
to by Hoo. Rice A. Pierce. OF Tennessee
but as he was unable 10 be present
Hon. j. w. Maddox, OF Georgia, val
called upon to respond. Mr.. MADDOX
attended the banquet last night and hi
speech at that time greatly impressed
all who heard him. After the speaker
h4d INDUCED in few pleasant observe
| tions which elected much laughter he
proceeded to pay one OF the most glow
Jog tributes TO General Robert Z. Lee
ever heard 10 this city, unhesltatingly
proDouDciDg him the greatest man evel
born. Among other things he re erred
to Colonel McClure'5 article 10 q
| Washington paper on the great com
mander 10 which IL was stated that had
| General Lee remained on the north side
| of the Potomac be could undoubtedly
have been commander of the Army o
the Potomac, but when his State seced
ed be never hesitated as to bis duty ou
with no promises OF position cast bis
lot with her. General Lee, the speaker
said, "had all he genius OF the great
generals of he past without their vices
| The impartial historian would event
ually accord him this tribute. He wst
not the exclusive property OF Virginia,
out OF the South, the country and the
world, General Lee was not infallible
and made his mistakes, but he was
man enough 10 take the blame anc
say it was his fault when he did
make an occasioned blunder. HE
never sent dispatch saying the army
command hes WOO great victory
when he was not 10 the fight. This
was a reference to Sampson ana the
sally brought down the house. The
name OF Schley was also vociferously
applsnded. The speaker then referred
to the tempting offers made General
Lee after the war to become the pres!-
dent OF insurance and other companies
10 order to have the use OF bis name
and bis declination OF them all. Mr.
| Maddox said it was the duty of all ex-
Coniederates to initiate the example
set by their great exemplsr. They mad
been charged with nurturiDg disloyalty,
which he positively denied, and sp'
pealed to the fact that durlog the re-
| cent conflict with Spain none were
more anxious to don the blue than the
men OF the South. He closed by pay
ing a glowing tribute to the ladies
present.
Southern warriors, brave, true and
faithful to tho last" was responded to
by Hon. William Richardson, oil
Alabama. The speaker rose and after
the applause bad subsidized he began by
saying be came very near being Vir-
giniau. His grandfather, grandmother
and mother were natives OF the Old
Dominion. The sentiment, Home.
sweet home" always came over him
when he found himself among ex-Co0-
federate soldiers. The speaker after q
lew preliminary observations pro-
ceeded to paint vivid aud natural
picture OF the Confederate soldier-his
career from 1851 to 1865 aud his history
since the close Of the coufict, 10 the
work of building up the South Desc
lated by the war until its prosperity had
become proverbisl. He referred to
the dark days OF reconstruction and
how the Confederate soldier rose
superior to all his difficulties. He had
let passion and prejudice pass, and the
faithful historian would yet record bis
worth as people ars gradually made to