Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-19
VETERANS TRIBUTE
EX-CONFEDERATES LAUD THEIR
FORMER LEADER.
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee the Subject Of Res
olutions and Addresses-Col.
Herbert's Eulogy.

The gray-haired veterans of the confed-
eracy who claim membership in the Con-
federate Veterans Association of the Dis
trict of Columbia assembled last night at
their hail. corner of 18th and E streets
northwest, to pay tribute to the virtues of
the late Gen. Fitzhugh Lee. The services
arranged were Of the most simple char
| acter, involving the presentation for adop
ton of a set of resolutions, and seconding
speeches by Col. Hilary A. Herbert, former
Secretary Of the Navy, and by Maj Holmes
| Conrad, Maj. Robert w. Hunter, Mr.. Find
lay Harris, Col James M. Norris. and Mai.
J. Mcdowell Darlington. All Of the ad-
dresses reflected the love and veneration
the old men of the confederacy felt for
Gen. Lee, and the resolutions will be APP
propriately engrossed and copy thereof
forwarded to Mrs. Lee.
The principal address was that of Col.
Herbert
The meeting was called to order by Mr..
John 7. Callahan, president of the asso-
ciation who made a short address, In which
he told of the purpose of the meeting. Rev.
Mr.. Craighill pronounced the invocation,
and after the audience had sung Nearer,
My God To Thee" Maj. w. A. Gordon pre-
sented the resolution that had been pre-
pared by a committee, of which he was
chairman. The committee appointed to
draw up the resolutions included Maj. Cor
don, Gen. l.. L. LomaX, and Maj. Robert
w. Hunter.
Expressive Of Sorrow.
The resolutions recited the sorrow and
grief, not only among confederate veterans
but by the whole country, which was occa-
stoned by the death of Gen. Lee. He was
respected, the resolutions recited and held
high in the esteem of all who had ever be-
come associated with him. not alone as
soldier but private citizen, public
cpirif a1 fSain of fhn tot and OK irN1
mat in the service of the nation. AS an
orator and author he commanded the re-
spect and confidence of his hearers and
readers In his private life, it was stated,
his kindly disposition, his frank, open man
ner, and his sympathetic heart and genial
expression endeared him to all with whom
he came in contact The resolutions were
signed by the entire committee.
In presenting them Maj. Gordon made an
eloquent address, in which he spoke of the
great work that had been done by Gen
Lee for the country, and of his place in the
affections of the American people. He re-
ferred particularly to the demonstrations
here and in Richmond at the funeral serv-
ices.
Major Gordon then introduced Col. Her
bert as lone best qualified to second the
resolutions" Col Herbert began his adj
dress with an eloquent tribute to the con-
federate soldiers. They are fast passing
away, he said, and much that Is In their
lives reflects the honor and integrity OF the
true man. Their great virtues are little
known beyond their circle of intimate
friends. but they will always stand before
those who know them as true types OF all
that is true and manly in men.
"Fitz Lee is gone Col Herbert SAID.
For years he was the most attractive
figure that was left to us. His WONDERFUL
magnetism we have more than once seen
proven in this city on inauguration Day;
and there could be no Surer test or the
hold public man has upon the hearts OF
his countrymen than the manner In when
the masses greet him in a procession where
great military and civic organizations, the
pride of every city and every section, with
waving plumes and flying banners, are
marching to the sound Of martial music,
making an inaugural procession what 1t al
ways is, not only one of the most repre-
sentative, but also one OF the most strlk-
ing spectacles human eye has ever wit
messed.
Famous Marches.
Famous were the marches of Grants
and of Shermans veterans along Pennsyl-
vania avenue in 1865. But those professions
celebrated the close of a long and bloody
war. and a victory for the Union it is true,
but nevertheless a victory over Fellow
countrymen But to an ordinary presiden-
tiaI inauguration there is no sting that IS
real 1t celebrates the most notable VIC
tory that peace has yet achieved, olooo-
less victory for free institutions, the pass
ing of power in a mighty nation from one
administration to another by the voice Oh
the people expressed at the ballot boX II
never with us signifies thank God, the VIC
tory of one political party over another' LOT
the defeated party always joins with lts
victorious opponent in doing homage TO the
voice of the American people.
In two of those inaugural professions
have we seen Gen. FitZ Lee ride along
Pennsylvania avenue. Thousands and tens
of thousands occupied the sidewalks, the
stands. the balconies and the windows.
Past them rode representatives or the army
tC ND a m
won their epaulets by gallant service in the
armies and navies of the Union: governors
of states, with their glittering STATS; favor
lite sons from every section of the land. All
these were greeted with applause by the
multitudes of their admirers but wherever
Fftz Lee rode there the applause was loud
est of all.
HE was not favorite with the public
on such occasions because there was any
thing about him or his character that fitted
him especially for display He was not
spectacular. He never made. or helped to
make, holiday show that he might shine
1t 1t, but whenever the occasion demanded,
whether in peace or war, whether In pres
ence Of friend or foe. he rode out squarely
into Gods sunlight, and he sat his horse
like Paladn. In manner and heart he
was a democratic aristocrat or, perhaps /
ought to say, an aristocratic democrat. An
aristocrat he was because, conscious Of the
blood that flowed in the veins of his ances-
tors for generations before Light Horse
Harry. 1t was impossible that he should do
anything unworthy or MS lineage. A demo-
crat he was In that he recognized as his
equal every man in whom he found honor
and courage and high impulse.
Educated as a soldier he knew what
was due from subordinate to his superior,
and he exacted the strictest obedience to
orders; but he never forgot to hold at all
| times in respect the confederate soldier who
had offered his life, IL need be, in defense
Of his country. Officers and private soldiers
| alike were his friends and comrades; with
! them he would divide his last crust of
bread. and for them he would shed his last
drop of blood I"