The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-06-04
CELEBRATION
 AT CAPITOL Varied Progam in Repre- sentatives' Hall. SPEECH WITH MUSIC, READINGS Gen. Sanford Was the Orator Last
 Night. Gen. George P. Harrison Could wot Be Present and Chairman Owen. Called on Montsom.ry ves-
 eran-TAe Prosran.
 

In commemoration of the tooth ami versary of the birth of Jefferson Davis, the first and only President of the Con federate States. celeb ration embody- ing n most interesting program was held at s;3o o'clock last night in the Hall of Representatives at the Capi- tol. A large crowd attended the exer- cises, and the historic old building, tastefui1y decorated, presented at once a scene of brilliance and of profound solemnity. Great disappointment was felt at the inability of General Harrison, the principal speaker on the program of the evening. to be present at the ceie- bation, but in his absence. Gen. ]. W. A. Sanford delivered as noble eulogy on the dead hero. Singing by male quartette constituted an enjoyable fea- ture of the evening.
 As q monument to the beloved dead. the historic old Capitol. pregnant with memories of the enduring past, Ioomed up last night in the light of the tribute paid to one Of the most revered sons of the South. Fancy aroused. the bril- iiantiy-light rotunda gleamed aioft as halo hallowing the life and the char acter of the honored dead. Within the rotunda many relics of the ehieftain were displayed. the battle flags of the confederacy hung silently and unmoy-
 
 ifngeringly upon the subject of the evenings commemoration.
 The decorations were simple and in keeping with the occasion. A wreath surrounded the star marking the exact spot upon the portieo where Jefferson Davis stood in delivering his inaugu- ration address Around the walls of the rotunda rested portraits of the men and women of the South who had with unsurpassable patriotism atrivsn for their country's sake. Tn front of the room in which years ago the body of Jefferson Davis lay in state. were draped the colors of the Confederacy, overhanging with their protective folds a portrait of the hero. Palms and ferns lent verdant freshness to the scene, and the crowds thronging the lofty halle of the Capitol reminded one that memory lived. and that although the participants in the great struggle of the past were fast disappearance, honor to their memory would be un- dying.
 An admirable program was rendered. the speeches and musical numbers en- tertaining the audience throughout the celebration. The first number, the voluntary, by Professor Galloway. was played in such ( manner as to delight those present After the call to order by pr. Thomas M. owen, oh airman, an invocation was ifnprsssively delivered by pr. Charles Averette Stakely.
 Before the next number on 3he pro- gram, the song. Maryland. by a quar- tette. composed of !. !. Pierce. F. H. Logan, R.. E Fcrney and E. l.. Da- vant was rendered. Mir. Pierce stated that he regretted to announce that MT. Forney had not appeared, but that the song would be sung if the audience would promise to overlook the dsfi- ciency in it's rendition. The number was rendered and was generously ap- plauded, the prophesied deficiency es- caping the perception of the hearers.
 Miss Pauline Hausman recited with exceptional elocutionary talent a piece particularly appropriate to the occa- sion. The meditation of her voice was wonderful and the true meaning of the words spoken were powerfully borne upon the audience. From the time she mounted the rostrum until her descent at the conclusion of the recitation, her hearers weer spell-bound beneath the fervor and moving eioauence of the reader.
 The song, "The conauered Banner" {" by Miss Mamie Harrison, the next num- Der on the program, was omitted for the time being. Dr. Thomas M. Owen was to have been the principal speak CT of the evening. was unable to be present, and that In his absence. Gen. !. W. A. Sanford would address the audience upon the subject. Jefferson Davis.
 pr, Owens introduced General San ford as "the grandest type of the Southern gentleman" and declared that those present were fortunate in having in the place of General Harrison one so well qualified to speak upon the noble theme of the evening.
 Amid an outburst of applause, Gen. eral Sanford rose to address the audi ence. He stated that he felt as though the audience had been drawn to the celebration under 6 misrepre- sentation. but a second outburst of applause denied the necessity of an apology on behalf of the veteran and revered citizen.
 General Sanford comprehensiveiy outlined the life of the dead chieftain. displaying a wonderful knowledge of inc subject presented. The virtues of the South's hero he touched upon lov- inrlv. his noble character was describ- ed in language eloquent and forcible, ana his sufrerings were mentioned with deep sorrow.
 The career of President Davis as a boy. as a youth, and as . man was in- terestinRiy related. His nobility was illustrated by many anecdotes, his right to recognition as one of the great men of the country by the citation Of numerous acts.
 aAs of another great man of his-