The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-06-13
Unique Features of Yes terday's Exercises.
 - JUDGE THOMAS C. JONES DELIVERED THE 0RATI0N
 - Large Crowd Gathered For Exer-
 cises.
  It Was Exclusively in the Hands of Confederate yeterans--aIonument stands in Center of Lee Cir- sae oa Capitol Heights.

ESQISS60lalN6 cities of the confederacy, the exercises in connection with the unveiling of Lees statue at Lee Place. Capitol Heights. were carried out successfully at 5:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon in the presence of a large and enthusias- tic crowd. The attendance was marred by threatening weather preceding the time set for the occasion, but no dam. those present and the rendition of the interesting program prepared consti- tuted . noble tribute to the chieftain of the South.
 of red and white. to which were att tached miniature battle flags of the Confederacy. Upon a platform to the rear sat thirteen matrons, represent Ing the thirteen Confederate States. and back of them, towering above the assembly, arose the handsome statue of. Lee, resting upon massive pedes- fal fl ro the forefront was the table table end left were occupied by veterans of the civil war and Daughters of the Confederacy. The battle and age-worn erstion Of the south's women, and the general atmosphere of reverence pre- yailing contributed to render the scene Impressive.
 Eade led by the Grand Marshal, Colonel B. M. Waahburn. mounted. After him came the band, and following it was a sa sRor Sdsagn Of veterans Ito TTarRng Street, the parade halted at Lee Place, where the band rendered a number of Sou thern airs amid continuous ap-
 The assemblage was called to order by General William c, Oates, Chair man. who expressed his appreciation of the honor done him in making him master Of ceremonies upon an occasion go memQrable. Following an eloquent invocation by Rev. Alexander F. Dix, Chaplain of Camp Lomax, the formal presentation of the statue of General Oates. General Oates briefly comment ed upon the many noble characteristics of him whose statue was shortly to be unveiled. and declared that in the com memoration of his virtues a worthy purpose was achieved.
 While commenting with pride upon the wonderful unanimnity which ruled the United States, he declared that to forget the past was not desirable or worthy, and that the preservation of grand Ideals was best subserved by emphasizing the lise of such a man as Robert E. Lee.
 He declared General Lee the most re- sn4arhabIes man ever deWeioped--s41ri- precedented as chieftain, unexcelled as a citizen, In conclusion, he said. 'J present this statue to the city through the Mayor, who Is present on this occasion"
 It was at this time that the collapse
  sionaresulttng lasted only short while after 1t was learned that no one was seriously Injured, and tho exercises proceeded with the unveilink of the from the crowd as the 't canvass was c cono e cealing the statue was drawn aside and the lineaments and figure of the dead hero of the South stood revealed. The inevitable thought came into the minds of those present that as this In- animate likeness lowered above them, so in life the real man of whom 1t was cneG cne Tepresen.atdon h,s rested soovs tho loftiness of virtue and grandeur. En- thusiasm ran riot as the inspiring strains of Dixie" wore played by the band.
 The four veterans who unveiled the monument were General ". c. Oates. Colonel Harvey B. Jones, Captain John W. Tullis and George c. clisby.
 of the statue presented. Mayor Teague epolke briefly. He said. "As the repre- sentative of the city I accept this stat ne dedicated to the memory of Robert P. Lee. one of the greatest men of an cient or modern times, May his life and character be an inspiration to the city. May they rest as benediction
 General Oates presented Judge Jones, the orator of the day, as one eminently qualified to speak upon the subject of the evening. Judge Joness position
 
 to bring him into personal contact with the wonderful commander of the Con- federate States. and he was able to ad- dress his audience with the accurate knowledge of Npersonal observation. "Judge Jones'" declared General Oates, In conclusion, "is known to those pres ent. his ability Is recognized. and he has held many positions of trust among you. It Is my pleasure to present him this afternoon"
 Judge Jones began his address with 2 reference to the accident of the af- ternoon. As in the political crash of forty-seven years ago he said. so in the present unexpected happening, only heroism and coolness had been dis played by those endangered through un1orseen circumstance.
 The orator stated that many of his audience were, familiar with the de- tails of the life of General Lee. and to a delineation of the sublime charac- ter of the chieftan.
 To the young. said the orator, a study of the life of Lee would be of in- calcuIable benefit. and he declared that it was to the young he should espec- ially address himself.
 The character and the attainments of the Southern General were describ- ed with an intimate understanding that was most entertaining. Anecdotes gathered from persdnal observation were related most interestingly, and throughout the time that he talked, Judge Jones was in close touch with his audience.
 and foremost soldier born in America"
 When he took command of the Con- federate army" said the speaker, you could see the Federal army camping near Richmond. In one year, they were 120 miles from the Capital of the Southern States
 The campaigns of the great leader were taken up in turn, and a glowing tribute paid that intellect which had planned operations so gigantic, and In their execution had displayed such perfection. The exploit of Chancel- iorsyille. the orator denominated the ''boldest thing in history--when an army greatly inferior to that of the enemy's was divided in two."
 Considering the Gettysburg cam paign, Judge Jones stated that Lee made only one mistake. which was when he took upon himself the entire blame for the blunders resulting In the check of the Confederate army.
 With a master hand the virtues or the chieftan were portrayed.
 Ice never lost faith" declared the ieism with patience" The unfailins dignity of the man in the face of in- justice heaped upon him. was the suo- 1ect of admirfng comment
 One of the greatest faculties or Lee, ft was stated was the moral power of the man to mould human hearts and human desires to sally out willingly 10 meet almost inevitable death. Tnere 10 not in history a grander exam ple of man able to inspire his men with
 Fselingiy. the orator sDoks of Lees