The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-20
VETERANS CHEER
name Of CHIEF
Addresses by Ex-Governor
Montague and Colonel
r. E. Lee.
ELOQUENT EuLoelEs MADE
1dce;c hv MaIe Quartet prescnta-
ELOQUENT EULoGlEs MADE
Music by Male Quartet, Presenta-
ton Of Crosses and Memorial
Poem Read.

The elimination and the climax OF the
celebration of tho Lee centennial was
very appropriately the commentator
last night by Lee Camp. the premier
organization OF Confederate veterans
named for the great soldier. whom all
tho Southland, all the country. and all
tho English-speaking world yesterday
united In honoring. Seldom In history
has the name of man who led n people
in war whose Issue was unsuccessful
been acknowledged by friend and foo to
be worthy to be linked with the names
of the great soldiers Of all nations In all
time. Robert +. Lee was last night ac-
claimed greater than those whose fame
depends merely upon military genius.
the epIgrammatc contrast OF the Vir-
ginia soldier and patriot to Caesar. Fred
erick and Napoleon made by Senator
Ben Hill, OF Georgia, being applied to
him by tho thoughtful student OF history
The centennial OF the birth OF Lee was
celebrated by Lee Camp. together with the
other local veteran camps, the several
chapters OF the Daughters OF the confed-
eracy and the other patriotic So
cicties OF this city. and other
Virginia cities united in the splen-
did tribute. The spacious hall OF the
camp. adorned with Its many portraits
OF eminent soldiers and statesmen, was
thronged last night with perhaps as dis
tinguished an assembage OF the survivors
OF the Confederacy as ever were or ever
will be gathered within Its confines.
Among Those Present.
There were present the daughter OF the
great chieftaln whose unsullied fame was
being celebrated. Miss Mary Gusts Lee;
the widow OF his son. General w. II. F.
Lee; her son. the namesalee and grand
son OF General Robert E Leo; ex-Gov-
ernor A.aJ Montague and Mrs. Montague.
Mrs Claude A Swanson. wife of the Gov
ernor OF Virginia; Mrs. w. r. Mckenney.
OF Petersburg: Mrs. r A. Brock. Of this
city; Mrs. j. NJ. Gregory. OF Chesterfield:
Mrs. Sallie Stewart, OF Alexandria,: Mrs.
Norman v. Randolph, OF this city: Mrs.
Allen. OF Chesterfield; Mrs. w. B. Light
foot. of this city, and many other ladies
prominent in the Daughters OF the Con-
federacy: Mrs Charles G. Bosher. one OF
virginla's weIl-known literary women.
whose verses We're read during the even
ing. and many others hardly less note
worthy.
Present also were perhaps more
prominent Confederate veterans than
will ever again be assembled In this
now historic hall Manchester and
Chesterfield had swelled the thinning
ranks of Richmonds survivors OF that
great host who helped to make the fame
of Lee. Among the visiting veterans
was Colonel W. II. Chapman. OF Mosby's
command. one OF the most gallant Of
that intrepid band OF rangers whose fame
IS unique n the annals of the war
period.
The hall was crowded and standing
nlander w. y. Freeman raped the as
semblage to order and called upon Rev.
Landon Il. Mason. chaplain of the camp,
to offer prayer. Mr.. Masons prayer
was fervent petition for divine bless
ing. in which the example of Lee was
invoked as one worthy OF all emulation.
A male quartet. led by Captain
Frank w. Cunningham. and consisting
OF himself. Aiessrs. r. Lynn Tucker. w.
Kirk Mathews and II. Thurston Car
doza, sang a beautiful selection, which
was warmly applauded.
Commander Freeman then briefly ad-
dressed the camp, speaking OF the
origin OF this commemorative move
1nent any paying his tribute to the great
soldier, aeclaring that his name and
fame had gone around the world. His
fame no said. Is still increasing, and
his name Is enshrined in the hearts Of
MS people. 4 ne COlIlIuah0S1 tiicu W
PRODUCED former Governor A. j. Monta-
que, whom he gracefully eulogized.
Montague Speaks.
The Ex-Governor after happily acknowl-
edsiug the honor done him and the COM
plimentary words OF the commander, de-
clared that he was vicarious substitute,
having consented to fill in at the request
of the ladies'. Although explaining that
he would not attempt an address, but
would merely touch upon some OF the
characteristics OF the man In whose honor
the assemblage had gathered, Mr.. Mon
tague delivered an eloquent and thought
full eulogy. notable no less for the IA
miliarity with the career and personal
traits of the great soldier which 1t
eyinced than for the chaste and rhythmic
Language In which 1t was clothed. He
was at times happily eplgranmatlc in
impressing the lessons from the life Of
Lee by which the world has profited.
He cited the case Of General Lee rs q
conspicuous example Of the general truth
that merit viii command ultimate recog-
milton, despite adverse conditions and
circumstances. He euogized the Anglo
Saxon, and briefly referred to his contrl-
buttons to the worlds history, on both
sides Of the Atlantic He referred to Leo
as light which had shone out OF the
cloud of war, and was growing brighter
and brighter as the years passed. AS a
concrete Instance of the fact that the
mists of prejudice which had for a time
obscured the truth of history, had so far
vanished that the unique greatness OF
Lee was recognized generally was the
publication in a representative Boston
newspaper OF q tribute in which the Con-
ta W
to stand with the greatest soldiers of all
history. and that Lees was the greatest
sword ever welded on this continent.
The unpretentious modesty and tho un-
gathering fealty of General Lee to high
ideals We're two of his most distinguished
characteristics. The ultimate success Of
any life is merit. and the crown of merit,
the speaker declared. was modesty. Turn
Ing then to General Lees sublime self
abnegatlon and his submission to the
dictates OF duty, Mr.. Montague pointed
out the sacrifices he had made to his
State, which he realized was the maker
OF the American Union, and not a product