The semi-weekly messenger., 1906-01-23

t0 Veterans and Military-The Day
Generally Observed in Wilmington.
CqYnty and City Offices and Also
Banks Were Closed.
Yesterday was the natal day Of Gen.
eral Robert z. Lee, the great general
and Christian man who cast aside the
honors the union would surround him
WIN and turned to his own land to
share her fate, be that victory or de-
feat. And when this question was de-
cided, he submitted to the inevitable
as only true Christian and brave man
could. Some put the illustrious gen
eral side by side with Napoleon and
declare that the world has produced no
greater military genius. Certain It is,
that the United States has produced no
greater general and with the passing
years be is accorded more and more
his correct place in history.
The people Of Wilmip gtOn, ever "a
triOtic, and they come by it honestly,
for their fOrefathers were the first TO
resist the tryranies of British rule, sill
have this feeling OF patriotism within
their bOsOms and love to do honor to
those who fought for their own, their
native land This was plainly dem
onstrated yesterday when the Academy
of Music was thrOnged with people
who had gathered TO honor the mem-
Ory of the great chieftain.
The day was beautiful and there
were quite a number of veterans pres
ent. The procession was formed in
front of the Wilmington Light Infan-
try ArmOry. 1t was led by a platoon of
police, then the marshal and his aides,
drum crops, Third North Carolina In
fantry Association, Veterans, Sons of
VeteSans, Wilmington Light Infantry,
and Boys Brigade.
The Academy of Music had been
beautifully decorated by Mr.. Will Reh-
der. The stage represented a wool
land scene and to the rear as II
caught from the limbs was large
Confederate flag. Along the front OF
the stage we're ferns, palms and slnl-
lax and Southern smilax was also en-
twined around the balcony and the
boxes on either side of the stage.
On the stage was Mrs. Martin >.
Willard. president of Cape Fear Chap
~,
president: Mrs. Cuthbert Martin. re-
cording secretary; Mrs. r. W. Hicks.
corresponding secretary; Miss Mary
Sanders, registrar, Mrs. Frank L. Hug
gins. and Mrs. c. w. Cairnes,of Mary
land CHAPTER. q. D. C. Others on
the state stage were General James
J. Metts. master of ceremonies; Octave
Virgins and Richard Meares, aides;
Rt. Rev. Robert Strange, D. D., who
made the address of the occa-
sion; Colonel John D. Taylor and COL
onel John L. Cantwell: Rev. A. Nc
Cullen, chaplain, Cape Fear Camp, u.
c. v: and a quartette composed or
Messrs. A. S. Holden, w. G. w. KRAFT,
C.. E. Vale and Greene FenleJ
with Mr.. Ed Munson, 'accompanlst.
The services were begun with a ter
vent prayer by Rev A. McCullen. Inen
music by the orchestra, 'Tenting To-
night This was followed by the beau
tiful address of Bishop Strange, every
word Of which was listened to with the
closest attention by the large audi
ence. Not in several years past mas
such a large crowd attended the eXer-
cises and they were repaid for tne
address they heard was gem. Ieo-
pie tire Of statistics, they love TO kno"
something Of the real man when an
address is made on such a t.eme a-ad
yesterday they heard such an address.
Bishop Strange is most captivating
speaker, has a fine delivery and knows
how to draw his audience near 20
him and hold their attention until
the end. Those who heard him yester-
day pronounced his address one OF the
most beautiful they had ever heard
on such an occasion. We give the ad-
dress below.
Following the address General Metts
read General Lees farewell ADDRESS
at Appomattox One cross OF nonof
was presented. The recipient was VIII
liam T. Spooner The audience joined
in, before the close of the exercises, ana
sang the "Old North State, and then
General Metts, after calls from the vet
Grams, sang. I'm Good Old Repel'
which was received with loud applause.
Upon the conclusion the veterans
and military marched to the large hap
over the city offices where they were
served with lunch by the Daughters or
the Confederacy.
Observed by City Schools.
Lees birthday was recognized In all
the city public schools. At the High
School an interesting talk was made
by Professor Hamilton.
There was regular programme at
the Union School consisting of songs,
recitations and historical sketches.
At the Hemenway School a splen-
did programme was observed and the
number of visitors in attendance was
quitStarge, including many Daughters
OF the Confedracy. The hall in which
the exercises took place was prettily
decorated for the occasion.
Address of Bishop Strange.
Bishop Strange's address was as fol-
lows