Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-01-20
The Banquet Last Night.
Happy Gathering in Confeder
ate Veterans Hall-Thrilling
Speeches-Enchanting Music.

street, near COLUMBUS, generally one
of the mcst serene places IN Alexandria,
WAS as a bee hive last night, teemlng
with life.
The white.beatded (some battle
scsreo) members of the Confederate
army had gathered 10 participate In the
annual banquet, the most pleasant fea-
tore OF all Ia the celebration OF the
snniversary OF the birthday Of General
Robert E. Lee, who whon q youth, "a
q correspondent told as on Tuesday,
wendell bis way to 90 Alexandris school.
He was also Worshipper 10 old Christ
Church. Like Washington, his Illus
trIous predecessor, he continued 10 go
to that historic edi6ce until the fortunes
of war removed him from over midst.
Washington and Lee were to all inter-
tents and purposes Alexandrisns, hav'
Ing In. their day been familiar hgures
on the streets and often guests 10 houses,
of the city. While seven Gtecian cities
claimed Homer dead, Alexsudris's claim
to two of the greatest Americans was
acknowledged while they lived and no
one siucs the Good Sheppard closed
their eyes in death has disputed our
old city's associations with Washington
and Lee.
At on early hour In the night the
company began to sssemble-There were
many 10 the gathering and many more
who we're absent through no fault Of
their own. Veterans shook hands With
veterans, some Of whom had net met
before for yesrs--men justly proud oil
the fact that they are entitled to wear
the gray and the cross Of honor They
mingled their joys with the younger
generation most of whom are SONS oil
noble sires. They are engaged In the
oommendsble work Of perpstustipg the
memories OF q cause the justice OF
which Is now generally acknowledged
by ell whose opinions are worth quoting.
The rooms had been ptettily decorated
and the tables tsStefully and invitingly
prepared By the ladies Of the auxiliary
societies to the camp, and everything
that could In any way have augmented
the pleasure Of the company had
been anticipated. The cuisine was per.
feet, % is always the case, and these
thoughtful hostesses intsntly watched
each guest, anticipated bic every want
and Kept the courses going with the
regularity of clock work. There was
not q hitch or Interval Of any sort
throughout the feast.
About o'clock the company entered
the capscious psrlors marching to the
Inspiring strains of "Dixie," and stood
beside the tables, which we're loaded
with temp Ing visuds. Commander W.
a. Smoot raped the sssemblsge TO
order when Rev. w. ]. MOrtou, Chap.
lain of M. D. Oorss Damp, Sons OF
Confederate Veterans, which organize.
ton was present In body, invoked q
blessing upon the feast aud all present
after which the following menu was
discussed:
OYSTERS
Lynnbaven Bay Fried
Celery Mixed Pickles Picked Bssts
MEATS
Roast Turkey Currsnt Jelly
County Ham Cold Tongue
SALADS
Chicken Cold slaw
Sliced Tomatoes
Ice Cream, Confederate Colors
Assorted Cakes
Oranges Malaga Grapes
Cigars Coffee Punch
The friction OF conversation added no
little to the pleasures Of the COLLATION.,
while the ladies, who acted sc wait
resses, gllded to and fro with the alac'
rIty OF Mercurles. They gave the guest,
40 time to rest upon their knives
and forks, bat simultaneously With the
dspatching Of one course empty plates
disappeared and others filed with in
vlling visnds took their places.
After the feast had continued for
about en- hour, the welding o. knives
and forks CEASED, and Cigars we're lighte5.
At this junclure Commands smcot
sgain raped the sssemblage to order
aud introduced Judge e. W. Saunders,
member OF Congress from the Danville
district, who 10 an able manner re-
sponded 10 the toast General Robert
f. Lee" The judges speech was
brief, but every word was suggestive and
Interesting and he was listened to with
close attention by the assemblage and
received hearty applause.
Judge Saunders was followed By Rep
rsseut slIve ]. w. Collier, Of Mississippi,
who was equally interesting In bis re-
sponse to the toast "Sons OF Veterans.
Mr.. Collier gave q rapid resume OF the
early history Of the country, the impor.
tsnt parts played by Virkinisns 10 the
stirring days preceding the revolutionary
war as veil 90 during the seven years.
conflict, the work Of Jefferson and others
10 shaping the policies OF the newborn
country, and the services OF Virglnisns
! Ia the years leading up to the civil war
AMI, throughout the historic conflict. The
sosske: referred to the new conditions
With which the OK. Confederate soldier
found himself after the war, snd how he
had nobly scared above all his difficult
ties. he appealed to the Sons OF Vet
Grams never to relax 10 the psrpeiuation
| of their memories.
Captain 8. B. Davis was to have re-
snonded to the toast 1.-THE Women OF
the South" bat be was unable to do 80,
bsIuV iudispossd, aud after short speech
nv Dr.. L. A. German, representing the
Sons OF Veterans, snd icl!ciIious remarks