The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-01-22
GEN. R. E. LEES BIRTHDAY
 WAS NOTABLE OCCASION
Confederate Veterans and Citizens of Montgomery Honor Memory Of Great Chieftain at
 Montgomery Theatre.

The virtues of Robert E. Lee were ex- toled again in story and in song at the Montgomery Theatre last night, when scores of: Confederate veterans and a representative audience or Montgomery citizens gathered to pay homage to the memory of this distinguished soldier, statesman, hero and patriot
 The celebration of Lees birthday was a notable occasion, because of the prom thence of those who participated Tn the exercises and because Of the presence or distinguished persons who had gathered there notable because of the manifesto tion of the devotion of the people of the South to the memory of him who led their forces through four years or war; and notable because of the proof that the people of the old South desire to hand down to their children and their child ren's children, a true picture of the man who was at the head Of that army or men who won the admiration or tne CIV ilized world and who, quoting the Pres ident of this great republic, was the greatest Captain the English people ever produced"
 The celebration was to have been ob- served Saturday night but because or the indictment weather 1t was postponed until last night
 The celebration was under the auspices of Camp LomaX and Camp Falkner Con federate Veterans and Camp Holtzclaw, Sons of Confederate Veterans. The grlz- zled old warriors gathered at the Camp headouarters on South Court Street and marched in a body to the theatre where the exercises were held. A fife and drum corps headed the procession.
 E The stage had been appropriately dec orated in Confederate colors while the banner of Camp Lomax was suspended in the center of the stage.
 Those seated on the stage as the cur tain rolled up were: General J. W. A. Sanford. who presided over the meeting; Rev. G. w. Patterson. pastor of the First Presbyterian Church: Judge J. B. Fuller, Commander of Camp LomaX: Camp Falkner: Hon. Thomas G. Jones. Hon. B. H. Screws. Mrs. J. c. Finley, President Secession Carital Chapte-, Daughters of the Confederacy: Mrs. F. Daughters of the Confederacy: Mrs. Frank Elmore. of Sophie Bibb Chapter; Mrs. J. K. Jackson of the Cradle of the Confederacy Chapter. and Mrs. J. D. Beale. Regent of the White House Asso- citation.
 General Sanford. presided at the eele- bration and after prayer by Rev. G. w. Patterson. he briefly stated the object of the meeting. Mir. Sanford said that no people is more fortunate in the posses sion of an ideal citizen than we are. The world just now Is beginning to recognize the great abilities of General Lee Presi- dent Roosevelt, in his life of Thomas Benton. while speaking of the Confed-
 
 saw soldiers equal to the Confederates, and that General Lee was the greatest Captain the English people ever pro- duced.
 General Sanford then introduced Hon. P. H. Screws. who spoke eloquently the praises of the departed chieftain. Cap tain Screws said that we are blessed with another birthday of General Lee, a day sacred to Southern people. His life is an inspiration to all men who love vir- tue and right. His character is as beau tiful AZld fragrant as the flowers of the field. Captain Screws spoke of Lees de- Votion to duty. and drew a word picture of this man who declined the honor of accepting the command of the army of the United States with all it's pomp and grandeur tu cast his lot with his na- tive State. Virginia. He said there was nothing more superb than Lee in battle and nothing more pathetic than Lee among the sick. Hfs whole life was fiIIl of moral grandeur. Never in the worlds