The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-20
To Gen. Robert E. Lee
the South's Peerless
Soldier.
CAP. ASHES GRAFTON
Audience Cheers While Tiny Hands
Pin Crosses of Honor Upon the
Men Who Wore the Gray and
Made it a Sacred Hue
BY Devotion.

Tribute from the loving heart OF the
South was given last night in memory Of
its peerless soldier leader when laen and
women, representatives OF Raleigh's best
lfe, thronged the Hall of the House Of
Representatives at the exercises held IN
celebration of the anniversary OF the birth
OF General Robert z. Lee.
1t was a goodly assemblagc and it was
dcyout in its intentness. The music, the
grafton, the prayer, the poem and the
presentat on of the Crosses OF Honor all
were typical Of the South, which symbol
lied in this tribute to Lee its iove and
voreration of all who wore the grey. The
applause that greeted each event CT ethe
evening was fraught with PATRIOTISM.
Confederate coIors We're there in abun-
dance. Back of the speakers desk q great
Confederate flag was hung, hanhed by
smaller Stars and Bars, ore of which was
tsttered and torn from shells n deadly
conflict and another the flag Of the i.
OBJ. Branch Camp. IN front OF the desN
was a large steel engraving of General
&c on horseback. and this was adorned
with tiny Confederate flags.
Tbs meeting was presided over by Al
iutant j. C. sBirdsong, OF the L. OBJ.
Branch Camp, in the absence OF Com
mander Strcnach. Seated with the orator
OF the evening, Capt. S. y. Ashe, was
also Rev. NJ NJ. Marshall, the Chaplain
OF the occasion. On one side was ranged
the band Of the Blind Institution which
rendered patriotic music during the even
ing. From the left the loving eyes OF
Vance looked down from his counterfeit
resentment. whils from the other canvas
the pictured form OF the Father OF ms
Country added dignity TO the impressive
scene, gazed upon by veterans grey, ~
mothers who had borne wars priyaticns
at home, by sons and daughters, ana
by grandsons and granddaughter, whose
hearts all have within them the fires OF
undying devotion to the South, and love
for the heroes VINO offered lite as q lina-
ton in its defence.
The audience had been ushered TO places
by four gallant little gentlemen, whose
insignia of red and white told that they
were the Marshals of the evening, these
being Masters George Ashe, Leo Hesftt
Jessie Primrose and Robert Watt
Following the music which began tho
exercises Adjutant Birdsong presented
Rev. NJ. Nj. Marshall who led in prayer
In this petition he thanked God for The
life OF his servant, Gen. Lee who had
boeu faithful even unto death. He alluded
TO his self-sacriicing life and prayed oha'
il might ever prove an inspiration 70 rnc
youth of the land to noble deeds. Tnc
audience joined with him IN one voice II
the Lords Prayer.
Adiutant Birdsong, who, in Company 3,
18th regiment of Virginia Infantry
had seen service, next spoke OF the
unexpected honor ne had in acting as mas
ter of ceremonies and that while it was q
duty. such was never onerous when de-
handed by the Daughters of the Confed-
eracy, this graceful tribute being paid
to the members Of the Johnston-Pe ttigreW
CHAPTER. under whose auspices the cele'
bration was held, and who We're present
in large numbers. He told Of the death
less love of the Confed crate soldier fol
Gen. Lee, and declared that though dead
he lived in the hearts of every veteran
and every woman Of the South. In leiicit-
ious terms he introduced Capt. Ashe, who
delivered the grafton of the evening.
CAPT. ASHES ADDRESS.
II was an address full of love to Lee
Astounding in historic facts telling Of
the days of the war, and the words We're
fitting words, coming from a Confederate
who as a member OF Company l, 1Stt
reeiment, had served on the general staff
Many times was Captain Ashe applaude,
and applause greeted the close OF his apl'
and valuable address. Among Other
things Capt. Ashe said:
Lord Wolsely discussing Napoleon says
that extraordinary man took Caesar a:
lis military model, and even MODELLED
bis stirring addresses To his soldiers al
ter Caesar, but, with true English anti