The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-02-03
PAYS HOMAGE
 TO WHEELER Memorial Exercises at
 the City Hall. EUIoGIzED BY GENERAL OATES Meeting Held Under Auspices ct
 Sons of Veterans. Comrndes of AIabama's Crest Military Genius Reconnt HI. Deeds of
 yaIor and yirtuesas
 Citizen.

The name and fame of Joseph wheeI- CT. patriot. soldier and statesman were eulogized atsa great meeting of citi- kens of Montgomery held for that pur- pose at the City Hall beginning al $ o'clock last night The memorial exer- cises to General Wheeler were held under the auspices ef Camp Holtzcifw United Sons of Confederate Veterans, and fully 300 persons participated. com fortably filing the spacious chamber, of the City Council.
 The principal speaker of the even- ing was General William c. Oates. who was ccmrade in arms. a colleague in Congress and a lifelong personal friend of the great military genius whose fame as a soldier added lustre to the brilliant achievements of Alahsma men and Alabama history General Oates spoke with particular reference to Gen. eral Wheeler as statesman. and soldier in the Spanish American war. He spoke with deep earnestness and force.
 The other speakers vera General John W. A. Sanford. Colonel Michael L. Woods Major W. W. Screws. Major Vincent Elmore. Capt. Peter E. Mastin. Capt. B M Washburh. Rev. George E. Brewer and Capt. w, B. Jones. The program was interspersed with music and recitations
 The exercises were held pursuant to a call issued by Dr. Thomas M. Owen. Commander-in-Chief of the Upitsd Sons of Confederate Veterans. On invitation of Camp Holtzciaw, .bath of the local camps of Confederate Veterans as well Chapters. the confedersted Southern Chapter. the Cenfederate5 southern Ladies Memorial Association. the La dtes Memorial Association and the First White House Association. were repre- scented.
 Patriotic Decorations.
 The Council Chamber was decorated with 6 number of large Confederat flags. the banner of Camp HJltzclaw and the banners of the Seressien Cap ital Chapter and the Cradle of the Con- federacy Chapter. Daughters of the Confederacy. In the centre of the flag was small portrait of General Wheel CT eneircled by floral wreath.
 The exercises were pre- sided over by Capt. R. T. Go9dwyn. Commander Of Camp Holtzciaw, while Adjutant A. C. Sexton was in his accustomed place. Seated on. the rsstrum were Captain doodwyn. Dr. owen. Judge John Fuller and Judge John Purifoy.
 Govern'r Jelks. having been called out of the city on business. was unabls to be present. but he telegraFhed req grets that he could not attend and wished the meeting success. The Governor was to have delivered an ad- dress on General Wheeler as Man."
 The meeting was called to order by Captain Goodwin and the assembly bu- gle call was sounded by O. E. Court ney. Prayer was offered by Rev. Chas. A. Stakely, D. D.. after which Captain Sexton read the order of Commander in-Chief Owen calling the meeting for the exercises.
 The male quartette ef the First Rap tist Church choir, composed Of Junius J. Pierce. Edward pavant. T. Weath- erly Carter and Professor Anderson. under the direction and accompaniment of Prof. T. c. Galloway. rendered two selections,s the first being ''Tenting on the Old Car. Ground" and the second When We Stand Before the King"
 General Oates Applauded.
 General Oates was then Introduced by Captain Goodwin as man who had served iI. the Confederate Army, In Congress and n the Spanish American War with General Wheeler. There was burst of applause when General Oates arose In response to the introduction.
 General Oates paid a fine tribute to the great General Wheeler as soldier, a statesman and a private citizen. He began his address by saying that Gen eral Wheeler was a remarkable man, At the time of secession, he held lieu tenants commission in the regular army, but resigned and entered the army, his first duties being those of drill officer at Pensacola. He was soon appointed colcnel of the 18th Alabama regiment. and through his masterful organization of this regi ment, succeeded In great accomplish ments at the battle of Shiloh. Not long after that General Wheeler was ap- pointed commander of brigade 'f cavalry. His popularity increased and. step by step he rose to the rank of Major General; then he was put in com mand of a corps and later was made al Lieutenant-General finally surrender- ing with General Johnston in North Carolina.
 In comparing General Wheeler with General Lee. General Oates said that neither of the great men could have filled the others place, Wheeer's great adaptabhity was to command cavalry. The fact Is recorded in hstoIy that wheeler was neve~ censured. l., was a rare thing for q man to receive the approval of all his superior officers.
 General Wheeler he said. was gall lant. enterprising. always reliable and a remarkably kind-hearted man. Wheeler in Congress.
 Closing the career of General Wheeler in inc Confederate Army. General oates drew the picture of a military genius as the private etizen who settled in North Alabama at the end eof the con- fict and married widow with large farm. He was highly respected citi- zen in every walk of lie, and was many times elected tc Congress.
 1t was in the House of Representa- tives that General Oates came to know General Wheeler more intimately and learn his valuable traits of character He particularly emphaszed the stand taken bv General Wheeler in the famous Fitzjohn Porter case, on which