The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-20
A Splendid Celebration
Held Last Night.
Many Present.
MINISTER THROWS
BOMB INTO CAMP
Tells Old Soldiers That It Was
Good Thing the South Did
Not Win-comrnander
Almost at Wits End
to Prevent Dis
! approval.

Fired afresh with the martial ardor OF
the ancient days, the Confederate vet
erans OF Richmond, their Daughters and
Sons. last night in worthy manner cele-
brated the birthday of Robert Z. Lee. the
great commander of the South, and in the
same hour paid tribute to the memory
OF that other chieftain only less great
than he. Stonewall Jackson, the rnartyr
OF the Wilderness
II added zest II nothing more to the
celebration that In the very midst OF
the enthusiasm stirred by the memories
OF the past young minister OF the gos.
pei, representing the Sons OF Veterans
on the programme. delivered a speech,
pointing out wherein. according to his
idea, 1t was good that the Cause for
which the gray-coated men gathered
around him had fought was lost. Amaze
ment was written plainly on the face Of
many an old warrior as the speech Of
the unscarred younger man progressed,
and more than one stirred In his seat
impatient to have the orator cease In
order that he might protest. Only the
quick action and ready wit OF the chair
man prevented q scene. and even with
this the murmur went the length OF the
hall and In one or two instances found
expression.
With this incident still fresh in mind
and stirring up their fighting blood. the
veterans were an instant later swept
away with enthusiasm, while Captain
Robert f. Lee. Jr.. grandson of the
famous general himself. pictured in
words of wonderful eloquence the glories
OF those days that had brought suffer
ing and death. but imperishabIe honor
and fame. 1t was rarely that the gather
ing around the old '.post-bellur camp
fire. as the speaker himself referred TO
It, had heard such n speech or witnessed
and taken part In such an outburst. and
coming from one bearing the honored
name OF Lee. the words carrted greater
force than ever. For n full moment or
more the storm of applause filed the
room and Captain Lee for a long time
after the exercises were ended was the
center of a pushing crowd Of well known
men and women, each anxious to grasp
his hand. As for the camp Itself 1t arose
and formally extended its unanimous and
profound thanks to the speaker. In the
enthusiasm the thought that there WAS
good in the loss of the Cause which
Captain Lee had SO gloriousy pictured
was half-forgotten but it returned soon
after and was much the talk OF the even
Ing after the camp had adjourned. .
Prominent Guests.
Among the guests of the camp were
Governor and Mrs. Montague and large
number of prominent ladies and gentle
men from different cities. The presence
of Mrs. General William Malone. Mrs
Thomas Bocock and Mrs. William r. Nc
Kinney, all of whom assisted in the exer-
cises. added much to the interest of the
occasion and the pleasure of those in
attendance. The hall. with It's long rows
of portraits of departed warriors looking
down from the walls, was filed to over
flowing with people. Every available
space was used. About hundred per-
sons stood. Several veterans sat upon the
floor. Camp stools were used by many
In place of chairs. Genialty and good
humor were present everywhere, and the
evening began and ended most pleasantly.
AS soon as the regular business of the
camp had been dispatched Lieutenant-
Commander Freeman, who was In the
chair, called upon the Rev. DIR. James
Power Smith. as chairman OF the joint
committee on entertainment from the
Veterans, Daughters and Sons, to preside
over the exercises accompanying the pre-.
sentation OF the crosses of honor Stand
ing before full-length painting of Rob
ert E. Lee which occupies the central
place of honor in the camps portrait
gallery. DIR. Smith paid noble tribute
to the memory OF the great commander,
whose spirit, he said. still fingered among
his one-time followers.
In welcoming the visitors, Dr. Smith
Continued on Third Page.)
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