Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-01-21
GEN. LEES BIRTHDAY.

town in Virginia aud in manner never
before attempted. Similar celebrations
we're also held throughout The South in
Washington, Baltimore, New York and
in number Of northern cities
10 Richmond, the feature of the day
consisted Of services at S. Psuls Epis
copal Church, where Bishop A. NJ.
Randolph delivered sermon on Gene
raj Lee before an audience that filled
the building. AT night all the Confed-
crate camps, Of Richmond and Man
chester, together with the ladies' patri-
otto organizations, assembled at Lee
Camp Hall, where Ex-Governor Monts-
que and Colonel r. F. Lee, jr., of Fair
fax, were among the speakers. Crosses
of honor were afterward bestowed on
two score of veterans.
At night, the Mems Club, OF the Sec
ond Baptist Church, held Lee memorial
exercises. DR.. Thomas Nelson Psge
made the principal address. Edward
Y. Valentine, the sculptor, gave remi-
nisceuces OF General Lee
One of the principal events Of the day,
in Virginia, was the special address, OF
Lexington, by Charles Francis Adams,
of Boston, a union veteran OF the war
and formerly a synpathiz:r with prey
alent northern sentiment against Lee.
He declared that 10 40 years, since the
war, be had changed many Of his opin-
ions. 10 part he said
"Coming directly 10 the point, main
tain that every man in the eleven states
seeding from the Union had, in 1861,
whether be would or no. to decide fol-
himself whether to adhere TO his state oil
to the nation; and finally assert that,
whichever way he decided, if only he ds
cided honestly, putting self-inte'est be-
hind him, he decided right.
"Paradoxical as it sounds. / contend,
moreover, that this was indisputably co.
It was a question OF sovereignty state
or national; and from q decision OF that
question there vas, in a seeded state,
escape for no man. Yet when the nat.
ional constitution was framed and adopt
ed that question was confessedly LETT un-
decided aud unintentionslly so left.
More than this, even, the federal con
sttution was theoretically and avowedly
based on the idea ofs divided sovereignty,
in utter disregard of the fact that when
a final issue Is presented sovereignty does
not admit of division.
Speaking advisedly and on full re-
nsction gay that of all the great Char.
acters of the civil war, and 1t was pro-
ductive of many whose names and deeds
posterity will long bear in recollection,
there was not one who passed away in
the serene atmosphere and with the gra-
cious bearing OF Lee. From beginning
to end those parting years of his will
bear closest scrutiny. 1t is pleasant to
catch glimpses OF the erstwhile comman-
der in that quiet Virginia life. There
is ia the picture something altogether
human--inlensely sympathetic. "
Governor Swanson was the chief
speaker at Richmond on Saturday night
st big Lee memorial celebration held
in the Academy Of Music, under the
auspices Of the COnfed, rate Veterans
and the Daughters Of the COn'ederaeY'
10 Baltimore at noon memorial ser
vices wers held in St. Paups Church
under the auspices Of Maryland Division
United Confederate Veterans, and the
members of each Of the four CAMPS in
the city attended 10 a body. Coy. FL
win WarGeld, accompanied by Adjutani
General Clinton l. Riggs, was also
present. Among the speakers was Col.
Edmund Berkeley, OF Prince William
county, Va. Dr. A. d. KiDsolving
preached the sermon.
Rev. DR.. W NJ. Dame, rector OF
Memorial Episcopal Church, conducted
the ritualistic portion Of the service.
Three thousand persons packed the
Maryland Theatre, in the afternoon, in-
GLIDING many veterans, TO pay tribute to
the memory of Gen. Lee. The exer-
cises we're held under the auspices of the
Society of the Army and Navy of the
Confederate States in Maryland. The
orator OF the occasion WAS Senator
Daniel, OF Virginia, who made q most
eloquent address ard paid beautiful
tribute 10 General Lee. Al night there
was banquet when many speeches eulc'
CYSTIC OF General Lee were made.
The centenary anniversary Of the birth
OF Lee was deliberately celebrated Satur-
day night at the New Willard 10 Wash.
ington, under the auspices of local
representatives Of Southern societies and
in the presence of a distinguished audi
ence. Hon. Hillary Herbert presided,
and addresses were delivered by senator
Berry, OF Arkansas; Associate Justice
Brewer and Representative John sharp
Williams.
President Roosevelt was unable to at
tend, but sent letter paying high trib-
ute to the personal character and public
career of Lee, and praised him net only
for his dsuntess courage, but for his
greatness Of soul
He said in part "The courage and
steadiasl endurance, the lofty fealty to
The right az it vas given to each man to
see the right, whether he wore the gray
or whether he wore the blue, now makes
the memories of the valiant feats alike
Of those Hho sa1sed under Grant and OF
thore who served under Lee precious TO
all good Americans.
General Lee has left us the memory
not merely Of his extraordinary skill as
, general. his dauntless courage and
high leadership in campaign and battle,
but also OF that serene greatness OF soul
characteristic Of those who most readily