Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-01-21
Banquet Last Night.

Representative Flood and others.
1t is generally admitted that the ban
quet given last night by K. E. Lee
Camp of Confederate Veterans eclipsed
any of by-gone years. There was large
attendance, more interest was displayed
and the speeches could not have been
improved on. The rooms Of the Con-
federate Veterans Building had been
appropriately and tsstefully decorated
by The Ladies' Auxiliary to Lee Camp,
aud Confederate colols we're everywhere
prominent.
The hour for the gathering had been
fixed at 1880 o'clock, and at that time
the members OF the camp and their
guests began to arrive. Half an hour
later the company repaired to the ban
quoting rooms on the first floor, where
the scene was most inviting. The tables
had been dsintily spread BY the ladies Of
the auxiliary, and there was button
hole bouquet and q miniature Confederate
flag for each member of the company.
Commander w. A. Smoot took his
position at the head Of the table and
having raped the assembly to order Rev.
w. J. Morton, OF Christ Church, In
yoked a blessing. The following menu
vas then discussed:
Lynn Haven Bay oysters, fried
oysters, celery, olives, mixed pickles,
picked beeis, sailed almonds, roast tor-
KEY, currant jelly, country ham, cold
tongue, chicken, and cold slsT, lobster
sslsd, sliced tomatoes. ice cream, Con-
federale colois; assorted CAKES, oranges,
Malaga grape', cigars, coffee and puuch.
After about 80 hour had been spent
in feasting and animatiDg conversation,
Commander Smoot sgsin raped the
company to order and announced as the
first speaker OF the evening Governor
Claude A. Swanson, Of Vlrginis, Who
was to respond to the toast, "General
Robert E. Lee"
The Governor arose amid great ap-
p!ause, and wbtn it bad subsictd he
began bis speech by saying be had al
Ways regarded it as pleasant privilege
to speak in Alexandria, aud generally
accepted all invitations TO come here.
The Governor said he had delivered
hree hundred speeches during The pas
twelve months, ard bis condition has
been such as 10 warrant the services OF
a physician. The latter had examined
his tongue and told him he needed rest.
He, however, Notwithstanding the
doctors suggestion, felt proud of the
privilege OF SPEAKING on this particular
occasion, especially from the fact that so
many ladies were present. After telling
some amusing anecdotes and INDUCING
10 pleasantly, the Governor took up his
theme 10 earnest. He began BY paying
a just tribute to the Army of Northern
Virgins, ref.rred to the sacrifice the
people Of this section of the Common
wealth had made during the trying or
deal Of the four years war, paid just tri-
butte to the great men who had from
Lime to time been born in the Old Do
fmiaion, recOunting their services from
colonial days down to the present time.
The speakers enlogy on General Lee
was a masterpiece of orstory, and was
greatly appreciated by his hesrers. The
Governor is close student OF history,
and his rapid resume of the exciting
chapters in the country's annals held his
audience spell bound. His tributes to
the Confederate soldier aud the women
of the South we're well expressed and
Justly appreciated. The Governor was
at bis best and be took his seat amid
uprosrious applause.
Senator w. J. Bryan, Of FlOrids, was
the next speaker. He responded to the
toast 1.-THE Confederate Soldier" The
speaker began his spsech by saying he
was too young to have been 3 Confede-
rae soldier, but he was the son of one.
The Senator, after INDUCING in some
pleasant observations and telling anus
ing stories took up his theme in earnest
snd delivered one OF the most thrilling
speeches that have been heard in this
city Cor long time. He took his audi
ence back to the siege Of Troy, traced
the history Of the Greeks and Romans
and compared the deeds of the Confed-
crate soldier, his privations and tolls to
those recorded of the ancients, aud
proved that those who followed the for.
tunes of the Oonfederscy had had no
superiors in the worlds annals. His
references TO General Robert E. Lee
were 10 glowing and original terms.
He said the anniversary OF his birth
should be a national holiday, as he
was undoubtedly the noblest character
that has appeared since the days of Paul.
Tbs speaker said when General Lee ca
pitulated at Appomattox General Grant
should have rendered bis stars and epau-
let's 10 the southern leader, as had the
latter accepted the command of the fed
eral army Grant would never have been
heard Of. The Senator toCk his seat
amid great applause.
Hon. 81. d. Flood, OF Virginia, follow
ed Senator Bryan. His theme was "The
Sons of Veterans" The Speaker ex-
pressed his grsti6 alton at being present.
He said it should be sOurce of honest
pride TO all who were sons of Confed-
crate Veterans and it was the bounden
duty of the the progeny of the latter to
perpetuale the memories Of their sires
and the glorious principles for which
they contended. Mr.. Flood passed
rapidly over the exciting scenes OF
nearly half century ago, IS well as
most of the issues which have beset
Virginia from colonial days down to the