The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1907-01-24
THE PRESIDENT WRITES OF lE'

Under Auspices OF United Con-
federate and Southern Societies of
the District Of Columbia-Every
Mention of Lees Name Greeted
With Applause.
Washington, Special.-With elab-
crate exercises and in the ~presence1of
a distinguished audience, the Tooth
anniversaryuof the birth of Gen. Ror
bert E. Lee, the soldier patriot of
the Confederacy, was commemorated,
here under the auspices of the Unit
ed Confederate and Southern Socie-
ties of the District of Columbia. The
immense ball room of the New Will
lard Hotel, where the meeting was
held, was filed to OVERLOOKING. The
United States Marine Band stirred
the audience with "Dixie" and other
ESouthern melodies. Almost every
mention of the>name Lee was greet
ed with applause. Although unable
to attend, President Roosevelt sent
a letter in which he extolled the vir-
tues of the Confederacy's great gen.
eral, in war as well as in peace. His
suggestion that the centennial ami
versary be celebrated by the estab-
lishment of a permanent Lee emorial
at some great representative educa-
tional institution of the South, met
with instant favor.
The exercises were presided ovel
by Hon. Hilary A. Herbert, former
Secretary of the Navy, and were OPP.
ened with prayer by Rev. Roland Cot.
ton Smith, d. D., rector of St. Johns
Episcopal church, who was followed
by Rev. VIM. T. Thompson, d. d.
with the reading of selections from
the Bible, after which the supplied
choir of the Church of the Epiphany
rendered "The souls of the Right
eous."
Chairman Herbert then deli, eret
a brief address, after which he reat
an extract from the "Life Of Thoma
II. Benton" written by Theodor,
Roosevelt, In which he referred t,
the Confederate leader as the ever,
greatest Of all the captains that tn
English speaking people hav
brought forth,' and that the worl,
had never seen better soldiers thai
those who followed him.
The reading of the presidents let
ter was assigned to Mrs. Rapl
Walsh, president of the District O
Columbia division, United Daughter
of the Confederacy.
The Presidents Letter.
The White House,
Washington, Jan. 16.
To the Hon. Hilary A. Herbert, chair
man; Chief Justice Seth Shephert
| General Marcus J. Wright, Jude
: Charles B. Howry, Mr. William 4
= Gordon, Mr.. Thomas Nelson Pag,
l President Edwin Alderman, M
Joseph Wilmer, and others of I'll
committee of arrangement for IL
celebration of the hundredth ann
? versary of the birth of Generi
Robert E. Lee:
Gentlemen: / regret that it is NJ
In my power to be with you at yoI
: celebration. I join with you in hol
oring the life and career of TIL
great soldier and h~igh-minded cit
zen whose fame. is now a matter
pride to all our countrymen. Terrib
8 as the destruction of the civil W,
was, it was awful that such a co
1 hict should occur between brother
it is yet a matter of gratitude on Il
n part of all Americans that this, alol
among the contests of like magnitud
should have left both sides as a pric
less heritage the memory of Il
mighty men and the glorious dee,
that the iron days brought fort
b The courage and steadfast enduran
the lofty fealty to the right as
was given to each mans to see Il
right, whether he wore the GRAY
whether he wore the Blue, now MAJ
"a the memories of the valiant fear
5 alike Of those who served under Gra
and those who served under Lee, pre-
|. ious to all good Americans. Gener
Lee has left US the memory, not mei
ly of his extraordinary skill as a ge
= eral, his dauntless courage and hi:
leadership in campaign and bait
but also of that serene greatness
70 soul characteristic of those who me
readily recognize the obligation
civic duty. Once the war was oy
10 he instantly undertook the tack
r healing and binding up the wounds
re his countrymen, In the true spirit
"a those who feel malice toward ne
and charity toward all in that sp
ne it which from the throes of the eli
war brought forth the real and ind
soluable Union of today. 1t was e
%inently fitting that this great mi
this war-worn veteran Of a Nigh
struggle, who, at its close, simply a
On quietly undertook his duty as a pla
be everyday citizen, bent only up
- helping his people in the paths
peace and tranquility, should turn
attention toward educational wol
In toward bringing up in fit fashion
N. younger generation, the sons of tn,
ed who had proved their faith by tn
endeavor in the heroic days.
There is no need TO dwell on a.