Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-04-10
STRONG DEFENSE OF
STATUE IN HALL OF FAME
Justice Emory Speer OwelIs at
Length on What Antagonism to
Symbol of outh Means to Frater-
nifty Between the States-Wicker-
sham Uphods Taft Administration.
Cry Associated Press.)


CHICAGO. ILLS, April 9.-Attorney
General George w. Wickersham who
addressed the Hamilton Club member
ship at the annual Appomattox Day
banquet here tonight, warmly upheld
the Taft administration. Judge Emory
Speer. Of Georgia, discussed the dimly
receding line of SectOnalism between
North and South and Gov. Adolph +.
Eberhardt, of Minnesota, addressed
himself 10 the new North.
Mr.. Wickersham declared that the
first year OF President Taft's admin
istration. so far as possible, in that
short space of time, was fulfillment
OF pledges made in the Republican
platform. Expenses of administration.
he saN. had been reduced. revenue
increased. Valuable information bear
ing on the correction of corporate
evils collected and in a general way,
forces organized in a sane and orderly
manner 10 carry out promises made
to the people.
Judge Speer. responding 20 the
toast: ITO The Men Who Surrendered
and Since Then Have Carried the
Flag and Kept Step to the Music of
the Union" paid tribute TO General
Robert +. Zee. leader of the COnfed-
crate forces. and praised in highest
terms the action of General Grant
in making liberal terms for the Con-
federatcs at AppomattoX. He quoted
historical data to show that from the
closing day of the war, to the present
time. the spirit OF sectionalism has
been gradually dying out in all sec
tions OF the country.
High Tribute to Lee.
After drawing graphic picture OF
Lee presenting himself before the
Union generals and conferences pre-
ceding the actual surrender, he
described Lees return TO his troops
to break the news.
ut has not been permitted TO his
countrymen to know the emotions in
the lofty soul of the noble figure in
gray, as he regarded for the last time
that army of tattered uniforms and
bright muskets which. in the words OF
. Northern historian. Opposing a con-
slant front to the mighty congregation
of power brought against it vital in all
its parts, died only with its annhilia-
ton
His Loyalty to Duty.
hat HIS CdtCC--
and unstained from its inception had
ended. he clearly knew. But every
act of his life and especially that most
CriticI and criticized. demonstrates
that of all earthly considerations, his
personal fortunes were to him the
least. He had declared that duty is
the sublimest word i'm any language.
And it can be made plain to any COM
patriot mind that this Hottest type of
American of the Southern states. cast
his lot with his native state and It's
subsequent allies. from a sincere con-
viction of duty. as cold and unselfish
as that of any martyr who. posted at
the shrine OF truth had died in her
defense"
Referring to the antagonism to the
placing a statue of Lee in statuary
hall ard declaring that the sincerity
of Southern men in their efforts to re-
move all traces of sectionalism. can no
longer be questioned. Judge Speer con-
cluded:
Nor can our country afford to de-
precate or discredit in any manner
the warlike character OF the military
honor OF the American states called
Souierfs. and nothing could be more
affrOntive to a strong ard fearless
population. VINO in the clearest way
demonstrate their devotion 20 the
nag. ii.at any authoritative attempt
to sully that Southern symbol. the
stainless sword OF Lee u would OBJ
literate In every Southern state the
delicious influence OF the personal
knowledge Of the genial. c1urtly. man
ly President Lincoln. the tender mer-
cies Of the gentle Mckinley and all
else that had been done or attempted
to cultivate fraternity between the
states only disordered. dscordant and
Ill