Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-02-10
ALUMNI BANQUET.

Seventy-five sons Of the University OF
Virginia gathered in the banquet hall at
the New Willard in Washington last
night to do honor to their alma mater
and IFS distinguished founder, Thomas
Jefferson. Worthy tribu'e was paid to
the famous university and the distin-
guished men it has furnished to the re-
public, but the great seat of learning
was lost sight of in several of the toasts
which called forth expressions concern
ing the Presidents negro policy and
other political questions of moment to
the leaders of the great parties.
The response of Gen. Basil Duke, Of
Kentucky, 10 the toast, "Our President, "
was easily the feature of the evening,
and was received by hearty applause on
the part OF many of the Virginians pres
ent. and silence on the part of others,
which showed that Virginia is divided
in its opinion of the President. Gen.
Duke is prominent democratic leader
in Kentucky, and an ex-Confederate,
who has always been true to the ideals
of the South. Heexpressed the opinion
that President Roosevelt has handled the
negro question as well as it would have
been possible for any man advanced to
Office under similar conditions to have
done, and said that the President has
really done less 20 give ofiense to the
South than many of his predecessors.
Mai. Robert W. Hunter replied to
Gen. Duke in a speech which provoked
much applause 81 used TO have more
hone for the President than | have
now" Mai. Hunter said in opening,
"and | hope Gen. Wood will heed the
advice which a southern newspaper re-
Gently offered to him. 1t suggested
that the next time Gen. Wood strikes
the President on the wrist when he is
engaged with him in short stick practice,
he had better look out or the Chief
Executive will draw a razor. | must
confess that don't approve of this SUI
perhuously strenuous life.
Mai. Hunter then reviewed the con-
di;ions which have led up to the present
unrest in the nation and lamented the
fact that doors have been thrown open
to all nations and that the flag has been
raised OIL foreign shores. "The trouble
is that all the lands which should have
been held for our children and our
grandchildren and great-grandchildren
have been taken up by the Medes and
Israelites. We have been Juggling all
sorts of men into our country, and we
are bound to suffer for it."
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee responded to the
toast "Our Country" which concluded
with a plea for the strict enforcement Of
the Monroe doctrine and the establish
ment of navy second to none in the
world. Gen. Lee reviewed briefly the
establishmentofthe first colony at James
town and the following events, in
which Virginia figured so prominently.
He spoke of the civil war and said
he had no apologies to offer for the past
and felt that Virginians will never be
compelled to apologize for the part they
are to play in the building up of re-
united nation, which has made such
great strides since the war Of 1861.
He spoke of the rich islands the United
States has acquired in the east, and
said: "Cuba must be ours sooner or
later 1t guards the entrance to the
American Mediterranean, upon which
so many of our States border, and into
which our great Father of Waters
pours."
Representative William A. Jones took
issue with Gen. Lee and in an eloquent
response to the toast, 'Tbe Old Do
minion." He denounced expansion and
heincrease of the navy, and expressed the
hope that Virginians viii never be won
over to the policy of extending this ma
ton beyond It's present boundaries.
Last nights banquet was given by the
Washington Alumni Association of the
University of Virginia. Dr.. Randolph
McKim, of the Church ofthe Epiphany,
acted as POSTMASTER.