The Jersey City news., 1903-11-23

Jno. ]. Toffey and other distinguished cit-
izens was conspicuous in the parade and
the gallant General, who was the orator
of the occasion, descendant Of Light
Horse Harry Lee wko was the hero of
the Battle of Paulus Hook, was the Gym
osure of thousands of pairs of eyes; but
after all it was left to the gray haired,
battle SCARED, old veterans who brought
up the rear, post of honor, by the way,
to capture the hearts and the admiration
of the great crowd roped off about the
monument. They were not stragglers.
They looked old. but they marched with
firm step and in all truth, strange
as it may seem, were the most business
likef body of fighters of any uniformed
organization in line-not excepting the
regulars. They've ''been there before.
That was amply demonstrated in Satur-
days great parade, but they were the
most picturesque, not merely ruggedly,
but even from the aspect of uniforms
They were really snowy.
After the big parade great crowd
surged into Elks' Hall, taxing the capac-
ity of the big auditorium and gallery.
Thousands were not able to gain admis-
sion. There were eloquent addresses by
the accomplished wife of United States
Senator Fairbanks, of Indiana, who is at
the head of the Daughters of the Revolu-
tion in the nation. She accompanied ac-
companied Mrs. Bedle on the stand at
the unveiling of the monument. In re-
marzably clever style at the meeting in
Elks Hall she set forth the aims and OBJ
jects of the Daughters of the Revolution
as society. Her address was listened
to attentively It was intensely patriotic
and this caSght the great audience.
The Rev. DR.. Brett, who offered up
prayer, presided at the meeting and in
troduced the speakers. In the uniform
captain of the Fourth New Jersey Reg
iment, Of which he is chaplain, he made
an improving figure among the dis
tinguished men and women who occupied
the stage, paid an eloquent tribute to the
Lees of Virginia and introduced General
Fitzhugh Lee. General Lee, spoke for
nearly an hour. He went into details of
the battle of Paulus Hook, at the risk of
becoming irksome but it was his patriot
ic up-to-date declarations that captured
forth the most frequent outbursts of ap-
plause. His defense of the position of
General Robert E. Lee, his uncle, who
commanded theC Confederate forces in the
late Civil. war, was extremely eloquent.
He assured his audience that he was in
a position to know that General Robert
e. Lees heart was about almost torn in
twain when he found that in order to
serve his own people in military capac-
ity he was obliged to fight against the
flag that he had so long served under
and revered.
General Lee was entertained at BAN
quet at the Union League Club House
after the exercises at Elks Hall. The
banquet was attended by many of Jersey
City's most distinguished citizens.
In every respect the demonstration was
patriotic.
One hundred and seventy persons sat
down at the banquet. The Union League
Club rooms We're splendidly decorated in
honor of the occasion and the assemblage
itself was brilliant. The great majority
of the men present were in evening dress.
after the banquet there was some speech
making but the principal addresses were
made by Judge John Blair and the guest
of honor General Lee. General Lee.
who had talked in an intensely serious
strain at Elks Hall, showed himself at
the banquet to be possessed Of remark
able versatility. In the course of a div
nified speech he told a number Of funny
Incidents, all however bearing upon the
general subject of patriotism. One that
causes considerable laughter was told to
the effect that after General Robert 3.
Lee had surrendered to Grant at Apo
matox he General Fitzhugh) was riding
along country road in his native state
when he was accosted by farmer
ploughing in field.
What's goin' on at the fronty' asked
the farmer.
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