Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1908-01-22
Lee.Jackson Day Observed Mon
day in Lexington

Lee-Jackson Day Observed Mon
day in Lexington
Lee-Jackson Day was observed
in Lexington Monday by the Con-
federate organizations with a
sumptuous banquet at the Blue
Hotel, furnished by Mrs. Edward
Moore, and the occasion was one OF
very great interest to all present
The dining room was tastefully
decorated, Confederate hsgs and
bunting being much in evidence.
Long tables were arranged for the
accommodation of the guests, and
most excellent dinner served,
concluding with cigars. The ban
quet was given the old Confeder'
ates by members of Camp FRANK
Paxton, Sens of Confederates, and
the affair passed off most pleasant
ly. concluding with eloquent
speeches and stirring songs.
At one O'Clock the honored
guests marched from the Court
se>.accompanied by the Sons OF
Confederates, to the Blue Hotel.
Heading the procession was Vete'
ran George M. Ginger who bore
the colors of Lee.Jackson Camp.
There were 100 Veterans present
and 35 Sons of Confederates.
Mr.. Edward L. Graham, COM
mandant OF Camp Frank Paxton,
presided aud acted as toast master.
A blessing was invoked by Rev.
W. S. Hammond, pastor OF Trini'
ty Methodist church. After din
ner was served, Mr., Graham ex-
tended cordial greetings to the
grizzled Veterans, expressing the
sentiment of pleasure on the oc-
casion of this anniversary. lie
comrlimented the men for having
been a part Of General Lees army
who helped General jackson to- GO
down in history as Stonewall. The
| Confederate soldier, said he, stands
today the grsndest man that his,
tory has produced. He concluded
with the thought that we are
proud to be born men, proud &c
live in Virginia and proud to BIT
the Sons of Confederate soldiers OF
Rockbridge.
Captain J. Preston Moore, com
mander of Lee Jackson Camp Of
Confederate Veterans, responded
on behi If of the Veterans to MI
IGrahr ms warm greeting Cap
tsin Moore's address was orlef
but it breathed the Spirit OF tint
occasion, and expressed to TIT
Young men sentiments of appreela
ton and thankfulness. Giving ex
preston to the feelings OF Con
| federate soldier more than forty
years after the war, Captt in Moore
said that he had neither regret no
remorse, and no apology to one
for the part he took in that me
morable struggle.
The two set addresses were o.
Messrs. Greenlee d. Letcher OF
"Robert E. Lee, a Citizen of ROCK
bridge" and Mr.. William L
Shields on "John Letcher, Virgin
las War Governor.
Mr.. Letcher paid a glowing tli0
ute to the lofty char acter OF Gen
eral Lee, depicting the CLOSING
years of his life in the quietuess o
his official duties as president o
Washington College. The inhu
ence uf General lee upon tn
Young men under bis charge wa
paternal in character, and ever
student regarded the great CHIEF
e tain with feeling OF adoratlo
D mingled with veneration. Genel
! al Lee showedreat ginterost !
e everything that pertained TO III
4 civic life of the town. He was e.
s pecially fond of children, and a
f. ways took pains to interest the
e in conversation. Mr.. Letcher rea
e the opinions of numerous author
i ties on the military life of Gene
i al Lee, and quoted from his o"
f letters to rem bers of his femil.
g in which there beathed the stronI
d est affection. General Lee pc
: seseed bearing so dlgnified ar
q magnetic that strangers involu
l. tarilv uncovered in his presence
!. Mr.. Shields reviewed in eloqueI
d terms the life and public servic
J. of Governor Letcher. Born al
# reared in this community, h
whole life Yves spent IN serVir
!. the people whom he loved. !
q mem Der of the Virginia Logisl
# tn e, of the United States Co
If gress, and Governor Of the U
# Dominion, he displayed the ear
r. talents and exhibited the same
deity. He was uncompromisll
,. with wrong and never tolerate
a deception in any form. A hlE
"a tribute to his uncompromisil
}. honesty Yves the fact that he 7
:. tired to private life with An emp
Il purse. His far sightedne W
;. instrumental in bringing to 6
!. front Stonewall Jackson.
!. At the conclusion of Mr.. Letc
er's address Mr.. James N. Sens