Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1903-01-22

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tiretf.>5 i'll keeping alive and quick
enir4 the memory of Confederate
heroizm and the spirit of patriotism
in the hearts of our people, the an
niversary of Gen'l Robert b. Lees
birth was appropriately observed
Monday afternoon in the hall OF
Thos. Ruffin Lodge, knights OF
Phythias.
The exercises e opened with a
PRAYER from Rev. DR.. F. d. Swim
dell, which it was, indeed, a benedlc-
ton - sit under, in its eloquent re-
cItal II the meaning and purpose OF
tilic )ning together Of our people,
its 5we,tly breathing JUNCTION
Of ne Greater Love, and its
scot .ug, strengthening trustful-
mes, in an all wise Providence
VII, old. and shapes the d~estinies
ofn .olly and rewards the virtue OF
all IL. naind..,
Al 5he conclusion of DR.. SwindeIl's
praver, the orator of the occasion,
CAPT. I. ". Slocumb, was introduced
by Cyl. JOS. E. Robinson, editor Of
the ARGUS, who in presenting him
spoke as follows:
Confederate Veterans, Ladies and
Gentlemen:
Through the kind favoritism Of
Tho. Rutiin Chapter, Daughters Of
the Confcderacy, it is my privilege,
pleasure and very high honor to
present 10 this audience one who
wore the Gray-one who through all
the Hears Of the varying fortunes Of
the var of the Southern Confederacy
up 20 the closing tragedy at Apo
mattox, laid his life daily a fresh sac
riice upon the altar of his country,
and side by side with you Confede-
rate Veterans and your valiant con-
freres gone, on many a hard fought
field whore brave men joined battle
and heroes fell, looked steadily in the
face Of death with as unhickering eye
as the eagle does into the face of the
monday sun and dared to do and-1f
need be-die.
It is when [ stand in the presence
Of Confederate veterans on such an
n~iversaries as this that "remem-
brance swells at the breast' and [
feel the utter h~elplessness of speech.
The heart stands still as memories of
your valiant deeds come troOping
back from the historic sixties, bring
ing tears with them as Old memories
of high hopes once fondly cherished
will when they come back Withered.
And yet, we did not lose all: we
still have our Sunny Southland, with
her hallOwed memories, her untaru-
ishe1 heroes, her peerless herOines-
unapproacbable in history, immortal
in song and story, sublime in attri-
butes that stir mems souls who love
the right and would die for prin-
ciple. Let US cherish these: thew
are d rich legacy from a mold of
men who when they shall walk the
earth 40 more the world will never
look upon their like again.
AID the day is now not far distant
when the Old soldier who were the
graz will walk no more among us:
Il by one they are passing, passing,
pas, az tower the river to rest be-
G a the shade of the trees": Ere
long the Army of the Gray will be
m~arSnail6d on the other side; and
when the last roll is called on Eterh-
ity'6 shore God grant that the orde.-
ly's report before the Great White
Throne may be-the ranks all fAl.A
not q soldier missing! I
1t is one of these herce-Lna
to you to-day-one who in the shock
of battle wounded and broken has
uncomplainingly measured the roll
ing ears between in physical pain
thai pen or tongue cannot portray
our " beloved toWnsman Captain
Tho VI. Slocumb.
a. Captain SiocUnb arose he va.s
eGae 4 with g-eatdnd prolonged ap-
pil &. Inos. 8ufin Camp of Cob
f4de te Veterans were there In
from Of nim; Thos. Ruffin Chaptdt,
Daughters of the Confederacv skt
just DehInd these, and the other auk-
fence Of citizens in the rear of them.
After acknowledging in graceful and
feeling terms the invitation of Thos.
Ruth Chapter, Captain Scocumb adj
dressed himself to General Lees
prowess as a soldier and character As
a man. Beginning with a brief ie-
cital Of his birth and his family he
then gave in his own language Ia
thrilling recitaI-insniEedbY
fsOnaI experience-of the immortal
Southern Chieftain's campaigns, and
we venture that never before has
been or ever again will be SO charm
ing'y, interestingly and instructive
~ tod the story of the South's con
fict.
Capt. Slocumb spokeentirely with
out notes, ard extemporaneously, con
sequantly We are unable to publish
anything bat this comment on his
splendid and inspiring talk, which
endeared him-if possible-the mofe
to his admiring hearers and will ever