The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-05-31


sponsors and maids OF honor at the
City Auditorium last night. The i'm
mense audience, numbering probably
two thousand persons, and including
many veterans, was aroused to the
widest enthusiasm by the array of
representative Southern beauties on
the rostrum, by the stirring, eloquent
and patriotic addresses of the Sons,
and by the inspiring and appropriate
music. Seldom has such n brilliant
bevy of fair feminlnity ever assembled
In this city as that which last night
represented the galaxy of States en-
braced In the Southern Confederacy.
Without disparagement OF the other
speakers, the address OF the Rev. JOHN
S. Foster. x Petersburg. Va. in pre-
senting the sponsors and maids, was
the sparkling oratorlcal gem among
several highly creditablc addresses.
Nor was this attributable wholly to the
inspiration OF his theme. The speech
OF the eloquent young minister was
ABOVE all criticism In composition and
delivery. and may be Justly charac-
terized as unexcclIed, II not incom-
parable. With polished, glowing
rhetoric and rhythmic periods. the
speaker clothed a brilliant and adj
Eiifably discriminating eulogy Of
Southern womanhood. and gave to 1t
the eloquence of sincerity and entire
earpcstness. There was nothing full
some. nothing overdone, but merely a
thoughtful and polished eulogy, which
received the encomiums of the audi
cnce in every utterancc.
The addresses of Messrs. Edwin p.
Cox. OF this city; +. N. Scudder, of
Vicksburg. Miss. and w. o. Hart, OF
New Orleans. We're eloquent. and won
deserved applause. but 1t Is no in
vidious distinction TO say that the al
dress of the eloquent clergyman was
easily the speech of the occasion
Beautiful Tnblcnu.
The audience was late assembling at
the Auditorium, so late that 1t was al
most $3.50 o'clock when Commander
Banks. OF the Virginia Division of the
Sons, called the convention to order,
and the execution OF the program be-
gan. Across the wide front of the
proscenium arch curtain OF red and
white In alternate stripes had been
drawn. behind which the officers OF
the Sons and the sponsors and ma.Is
were grouped. When the signal was
given therefore the curtain was drawn
aside and disclosed tier of beautiful
young women. superbly gowned, and
zach holding in her hand small Con-
drawn aside the Richmond Light In
fantry Blues band played "Di&ie" and
the sponsors and maids all rose and
stood waving their banners during the
rendition of the old familiar air that
never fails to stir o Southern audi
ence. Wave after wa"a g applause
surged over the hall. men and women
rising and waving hats and flags and
shouting with all their power. 1t was
a thrilling and beautiful tableau, in
deed and one of which no one wearicd
of viewing.
After the convention had been called
10 order, prayer was offered by the
chaplain general. the Rev. John w.
Caldwell. who returned thanks for the
kindly providence that permitted the
audience to be thus assembled. ana
for the favor and Fatherly love Win
which they had been blessed. He In
yoked Divine blessing and guidance
for the Veterans and for the Sons, and
prayed that God might grant the Vet
Grams u grand reunion in their eternal
home.
Pride in the Veterans.
Commander Banks then expressed
the pleasure of the Sons and of the
sponsors and maids at the entertain
ment accorded them, and the pride all
felt in the Confederate veterans. Your
sons and daughters are proud of the
fact that they are children of Confed-
crate veterans" said he. He then pre-
sented Commander-in-Chief Owen, who
presided thereafter.
Commander Owen referred to the
origin of the Sons of Confederate Vet
Grams organization in this city eleven
years ago, and attributed the Inaugural
lion of that movement to son of the
old Commonwealth Whom all delighted
to honor.
He then introduced tho gentlemen to
whom he referred, the Hon. Edwin P
Cox. Of this city, who extended well
come to the visitors. II am commits
stoned to extend to you hearty well
come to the battle-ground Capital OF
the Confederacy,' said Mr.. Cox in his
opening words. -FOUR devotion to duty
and to this city in it's tme of distress
and trial have endearcd you to our
people.
'.And you. fair maids and sponsors
representatives of our Southland
dearest jewels, her women-you have
won the hearts of all our people, and
when you depart for your homes you
will leave many an aching heart be-
hind. but the love thus aroused will be
embalmed In tears"
AT. SoN tlel EXTENDED an eloquent
greeting to the battle-scarred heroes
of the war, to whom he paid lofty
tribute. characterizing them as men
who had won immortal victory and
deathless fame. The name Of j. E. b
Stuart was the synonym Of un.
paralleled chivalry. Flo was glad, he
said. that this city has to-day paid
a tribute to him who defended it will
his life and drove back the invader
when ho had penetrated within the
sound of the city's church bells.
Turning again to the veterans h
said: I'm days gone by you shared will
us our poverty; let us to-day shar
with you our prosperity"
In concluding the speaker expressed
the Rope that the memories of tn
valor and devotion of the Confederate
soldier might inspire the men of tn
South for all time as did the heart o,
Bruce the Crusaders In their figh
against the Saracen.
"Auld Lang Syne."
The band played "Auld Lang Syne
amid cheerx AS tho strains died ava
COMMANDMENTS Chief Owen introduce
Mr.. u. N. Scudder, of Vicksburg, Miss
who made the response to the address