The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1903-08-20
OLD SOLDIERS PICNIC.
Confederate Veterans Enjoy Good
Speaking and Good Dinner Friday.

AS previously announced barbe-
cue and picnic dinner was given the
Confederate Veterans in DR.. G. G.
Taylor's grove, near town, Friday.
The affair was given under the aus
pices of Henry l.. Wyatt Camp, and
while the attendance was small all
present seemed to enjoy it fully.
Rain the night before and the threat
ening condition of the weather that
morning kept many away. At one
time it looked as if there would
hardy be enough to properly pay
their respects to the barbecue and
justify the speaker in the effort for
which he was prepared. But the
clouds lifted and the sun came out
and by twelve o'clock-an hour after
the time set for the speaking-a fair
sized crowd, including a number Of
ladies from the country, had assem-
bled. Many of them brought boxes
and baskets and when dinner was
spread it was a bountiful and we'll
prepared repast- enough for those
present.
Mr.. T. w. Beckett, of the Louisburg
bar, was the speaker of the occa-
sion. Those who know Mr.. Beckett
do not need to be told that he is a
young man of brilliancy and brains
who possesses many of the elements of
an orator. He is a student of history,
a thinker and reasoner and his ad-
dress showed careful preparation and
the intense feeling OF one thrilled with
his subject. The speaker was inter-
rupted by frequent applause or excla-
nations of approval and a personal
knowledge OF what he was talking
about by many of the grizzled sur
vivors of the stirring events of 81
'65 to which he referred. Many of
Mr.. Bickett's passages were gems OF
eloquence. There we're many beauti-
full thoughts and fine sentiments and
the regret is that we cannot print his
really eloquent and admirable speech
in full. 1t was out of the beaten
path, unique and inspiring and was
the subject of many favorable COM
ments. Mr.. Beckett was already
popular among our people but it is
safe to say that his speech last Fri
day greatly strengthened him in the
esteem and admiration of those who
heard him.
Capt. W. B. Shaw introduced the
speaker in bis own and inimitable
manner. After Mr.. Beckett closed his
address there were calls for Capt.
Shaw. He was reluctant to respond
not desiring to prOlong the dinner
hour. Being assured he had plenty
time, the barbecue not being quite
ready, he yielded and entertained the
crowd for a short while with some
stirring "reminiscences and humorous
stories OF the war times. Capt. Shaw
always speaks well on any occasion
but he is happiest when he has for his
theme the deeds and valor of the
Confederate soldier and the fidelity
and loyalty of the women of the
South.
1t was an enjoyable occasion to
all present and the regret is that the
attendance was not larger. The
occasion, the speaking, the dinner,
the good cheer produced all deserved
it.
The following from the pen of Rev.
P. r. Law, of the Lumber Bridge
News, is appropriate to the occasion:
There lie a pathos all it's own in the
annual gatherings OF the surviving vet
| Grams of the war between the States
They are all now old men. Not one Of
these battle-scarred soldiers already has
a father now living These venerable
fathers have now all passed over the
river. The old sons, grey headed, stopped
in form, unsteady in step, with eyes
dimmed and ears deafened will all, too
nearly be gone in another decade From
this date one may expect to hear of thei,
falling one by one in rapid succession
To look upon them now with the story
of the weary march, of storm of battl'
and of blood as back ground is pecu
liarly and intensely touching to the heart
Each succeeding meeting must be NOR
and more pathetic. For some fall ou
every year and the ranks are thinner
The number of these old soldiers will
grow less and less until at length Their
will be, say five left, then four, and finall.
one only will remain. Who will that ON
be, and with what pathetic interest will
he be looked upon.