The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-01-22


Washington, January 19.-With elab-
crate exercises and in the presence OF
a distinguished audience, the one hun
dredth anniversary Of the birth of Gen
eral Robert E. Lee, the soldier patriot
OF the Confederacy, was commemorated
here tonight under the auspices Of the
United Confederate and Southern So
cieties of the District of Columbia The
immense ball room of the New Willard
hotel whore the meeting was held, Was
filled to overf1owirg.
The United States marine band stir
red the audience with Dixie and other
southern melodies Almost every mec-
ton of the name Lee was greeted with
applause. Although unable to attend,
President Roosevelt sent a letter in
which he extolled the virtues Of the
Confederacy's great general, in war as
well as in peace. His suggestion that
the centennial anniversary be celebrat-
ed by the establishment of a perma-
nent lee memorial at some great rep
resentative educational institution of
the south met with instant favor.
kTte exercises were presided over by
tfOn Hilary A. Herbert, former secre-
tary OF tn navy, and were opened with
prayer by Rev. Roland Cotton Smith,
DID. rector of st. James Episcopal
church, who was followed by Rev. Will
liam T. Thompson, DID,, with the
reading of selections from the Bible,
after which the surpliced choir OF tie
church of Ephiphany rendered the
Souls of Righteous"
The reading of the presidents letter
was assigned to Mrs. Ralph Walsh,
president of the District Of Columbia
divisii.i Ct The Unitca Daughters OF
COnfedeTacy.
The White House.
Washington, January 16>
To the Hon. Hilary A. Herbert, chair
man; Chief Justice Seth Shepherd,
General Marcus J. Wright. Judge
Charles B. Howryp Mr.. William a.
Gordon. MIR. Thomas Nelson Page.
President Edwin Alderman, Mr..
Joseph Wilmar, and others Of the
committee of arrangement for the
celebration of the hundredth ami
1Versary of the birth of General Rob
lrt E. Lee
Gentlemen:
regret that it is not in my power
to be with you at your celebration
i0in with YOU in hOnoring the life anI
career of that great soldier and hich-
minded citizen whose fame is now 4
matter of pride to all our cOuntrymen
Terrible as the destruction of the
civil war was, awful tho 1T was That
suck q conflict should occur between
brothers, it is yet matter OF St3ti-
tude on the part of all Americans ina;
this. alone among contests OF ike mag
nitu6e. should have left to bOth side!
MS q priceless heritage the memory O
the mighty men and the glorious dHco'
that the iron days brought forth. n
courage and steadfast endurance. N
lofty fealty to the right as 1t was glEel
10 each man to see the right, Whc'n ne
he wore the gray or whether he Wor
the blue, now make memories OF tn
valiant feats, alike Of those who serve
under Grant and those VINO served IN
der Lee precious to all Sood Amerl
cans General Lee has left us the mem
orT. not merely Of his eXtraordlna'
skill as a general, his dauntless coul
age and high leadership IN campSuG
and battle, but also of that Saren
greatness of soul Characteristic c
those who most readily recognize tn
obligations of civic duty. once "a
war was over he instantly undertoo
the task of healing and binding up IN
wounds of his countrymen, in the ffu
spirit of those who Ffeel malice toWar
none and charity toward ALI; In tn:
Spirit which from the throes o. u
civil war brought forth the real and u
dissoauble union of today. 1t was eni
nently fitting that this great man, m
war worn veteran of mighty struggi