The Grenada sentinel., 1907-02-02
CAPT. SLACK AT Walden.
Introduced by Hon. j. e.. Nc
Kenzie and Was Highly Com
pilmented on His Speech.

pilmcnted on His Speech.
Capt. j. j. Slack was thus introdu-
ced by the Hon. G. Mckenzie in
making his address to the Walden
Chaple U. DC, which was celebrati-
ing the 100 anniversary of the birth
of r. E. Lee: Ladies and gentle
men-The gentleman who stands by
me tonight needs, at my hands, but
little introduction to you for his
name is household word throughout
the length and breadth of our beloved
state. There is little coincidence in
the long, long ago, concerning us two
standing together. We belonged to
the same regiment, the famous 18th
Mississippi. At this precise hour
forty-tive years ago, our command
was ordered to be ready at II O'Clock
to move to the battle field of Fishing
Creek, KY, and on the morrow morn
as the sun rose majestically in the far
east, both of us were baptized in the
blood OF our country. No truer or
Drawer Confederate soldier than j. j.
Slack every wore the gray.
For four long years, with his trusty
Enfield rifle he followed the flag Of
our own Sunny South until it went
down in the gloom and glory. l am
proud tonight that it is my distinguis-
he'd honor to introduce to you one Of
NiSSissippi's eminent sons whose lips
have been touched by the goddess OF
of Eloquence, and who has the cour-
age Of his convictions. l now intro
duce to you Capt. J.J. Slack Of Grena.
da who will deliver to you an address
on the life ofnthat illustriouoS South
ern hero, Robert E. Lee"
From the Carol news the fOllwing
was clipped: "Mr. Slack, himself and
hOnOred veteran Of the Civil War, in
his own peculiar and entertaining
style kept the attention Of the au-
dience riveted as he dwelt on the
life and character of r. e. Lee, the
warrior, the hero, the matchleSs lead
er Of men, the devoted husband and
the affectiOnate father. He spoke of
him as the man always loyal to the
voice of conscience, always true to
principles and ideals, always patient
and thorough, always gentle and firm: !:
and he spoke Of him as the great
chieftain, who, when the war drums
had ceased to thrOb and the cannon
and the hugle both were mute, laid
down the supreme command OF all the
Southern armies, and still prisoner
on parole, reSOlutely set to work to
encourage and help his people upbuild
their shattered homes and retrieve
their fallen fortunes. Around him in
Washington College came the youth
of the South for whom he set up true
ideals Of private character and public
duty. Mr.. Slack entreated the
young men Of the present day to Shun
the spirit of cOmmercraljSm SO rife in
this age and to follow the example of
Robert E. Lee, the cOurtly gentleman,
the fearless soldier, the peerless citi-
zen. He alluded feelingly to the fact
that himself and his comrades were
nearing the time when they too would
sink to rest at their posts of duty.
He said that he had not had time to
prepare an grafton, but he accepted
the invitation Of the U. ID. C'S be-
cause southern chivarly forbade him
to decline the gracious invitation of
tlfe ladies and the passion of his life
being deep reverence for the COnfed-
eracy, he found it impossible to re-
fuse an opportunity t. say word in
defense of the principles for which he
fought, and in praise of the men
whose high and mighty conception Of
duty made them take up arms even
though it brought on the most terri
fic war Of modern times
The members of the chapter most
sincerely thank Mr.. Slack and the
musicians for their help in thus cele-
brating the memory Of Lee who SO
gloriously and so faithfully gave him
self TO the service Of his country that
the world rings with applause for him
amid the tears and the benedictions
of his cOuntrymen.