The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1903-01-22
ROBERT {. LEE,
HIS BIRTHDAY,
Anniversary Fittingly OBJ
served Here on the
10Th Instant.

at o'clock by the ladies of the Confed-
crate Memorial Association and our
citizens.
Baldwin's Military Band discoursed
most excellent music on the occasion,
which was greatly enjoyed.
The court house was nearly filled by
old and young who were attentive lis
teners.
The restrain was decorated with
bunting and Confederate flag, wLile
large picture of Robert E. Lee was
on the wall.
Rev.. M. White offered the opening
prayer.
Captain w. J. Hudson, an old Con-
tederate veteran, introduced the sneak
ers in language appropriate and thrill
ing.
Col. j. u. Foster made a mastery
and beautiful speech, glowing eulogy
Of General Lee, weaving into his mag
niticent address the matchless tribute
of Hon. Ben HILL
1t is due to posterity and the South
that the memory of her heroes are en-
balmed in the hearts of the rising gen
Grafton.
Robert e. Lee was one of the great
est men that the world has ever pro-
duced.
The tribute paid to this noble chief
tain by Benjamin H. Hill is one of re-
markable beauty:
HE was foe without hate; friend
without treachery a soldier without
cruelty;a victor without oppression,
and a victim without murmuring.
He was a public officer without
vices; a private citizen without wrong ;
a neighbor without reproach; a Chris
tian without hypocrisy, and man
without guile.
"He was Caesar without his ambi-
ton; Frederick without his tyranny !:
Napoleon without his selfishness, and
Washington without his reward.
He was as obedient to authority as
true king.
HE was gentle as woman in life
modest and pure as virgin in thought ;
watchful as a Roman vestal in duty :
submissive to law as Socrates, and
grand in battle as Achilles"
During Col. Fosters speech he was
interrupted by an alarm of fire, the
ringing of the fire bell stampeding a
portion of the large audience.
1t was coincidence quite remarka-
BILE, for similar interruption took
place one year ago at the court house
when Prof. Sanford was making an adj
dress on the celebration of Lees birth
day.
The alarm at this time was hardly on
before the news came that the fire was
out, it being Mr.. L W Virgins house
that had caught from passing train.
The band struck up Dixie" and the
crowd returned, and Col Foster finish
ed his speech.
Prof. S. V Sanford was the next
speaker, and in abiding to the repeti-
ton of the fire alarm, said he didn't
care to be considered a Jonah. and
therefore he was glad the alarm came
this time while Col Foster was speak
ing and not himself.
Prof. Sanford s speech, as usual was
eloquent with noble sentiments and
graphic description of the battles OF
the grand chieftsin, Robert Z Lee
whose fame is imperishable.
Col Walter McElreath, Of Atlanta, a
former Cobb countian, was in the au-
dierce, and was called upon By the
chairman, he being the son Of an old
Confederate veteran, who was COM
! rade OF Captain Hudson
Col. McElreath responded in a chaste
and forcible manner, doing himself and
the occasion credit.
The Ladies of the Memorial Assoeia-
ton and Daughters Of the Confederacy
were praised by the speakers for their
unfagging devotion to the cause OF the
Confederate dead, and deservedly so.
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