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


ate Veterans HaIl-Thrillins
Speeches-Enchanting Music.
Confederate Veterans II ii, en- Primes
street, near Ooluu bus, geuera!ly one
of the ncst serene places in Alexaudris
was IS g bee hive last night, teenliDe
with life.
The white.bea,ded (some battle.
scsreo) members of the Confederate
army had gathered TO participate In tae
annual banquet, the most pleasant fea'
ture Of all in the celebration OF the
anniversary OF the birthday of Genersl
Robert E. Lee, who whom g youth, as
a correspondent told Us on Tuesday,
wendell his way to au Alexandra school.
II vas also a worshipper In old Christ
Church. Like Washington, his illus
trious predecessor, he continued 10 90
to that historic edifice until the fortunes
of war removed him from over midst.
Washington and Lee vera to all inter.
tents and purposes Alexandrisns, hav.
Ing In. their day been familiar hgnres
on the streets and often guests in houses,
of the city. While seven Gteeian cities
claimed Homer dead, Alexaodria's claim
to two of the greatest Americans was
acknowledged while they lived and 20
one since the Good Sheppard closed
theIr eyes in death has dispated our
old city's associations With Washington
and Lee.
At an early hour in the night the
company began to assemble-There were
many In the gathering and many more
who were absent through no fault OF
their own. Veterans shook hands With
veterans, some Of whom had net met
before for years--men justly proud OF
the fact that they are entitled to wear
the gray and the CROSS of honor. They
mingled their joys with the younger
generation mos. of whom are Sons OF
noble sires. They are engaged In the
oommendabIs work of perpetuatipg the
memories of q cause the justice of
which is now generally Acknowledged
by all whose opinions are worth quoting.
The rooms had been prettily decorated
and the tables tsstelally and invitingly
prepared BY the ladies of the auxiliary
societies to the camp, and everything
that could In any way haze augmented
the pleasure of the company had
been anticipated. The cuisine was per.
feet, as is always the case, and these
thoughtful hostesses iDtsntly watched
each guest, anticipated his every want
and Kept the courses going With the
regularity of clock work. There wss
not a hitch or internal oil any sort
throughout the fsast.
About s O'Clock the company entered
the capscious parlors marching to the
Inspiring strains of "Dixie," and stood
beside lha tables, which we're loaded
With terp,ing visuds. Commander W.
=. Smoot raped the asaemblage to
order when Rav. ". J. Morton, Chap.
lain OF 81. D. Oorss Osmp, Sons OF
Confederate Veterans, which organizes.
ton was present in body, invoked q
blessing upon the feast aud all present
after which the following menu was
discussed:
OYSTERS
Lynnhaven Bay Fried
Celery Mixed Pickles Picked Bests
MEATS
Roast Turkey Currant Jelly
County Ham Cold Tongue
SALADS
Chicken Cold slaw
Sliced Tomatoes
Ice Cream, Confederate Colors
Assorted Cakes
FRUIT
Oranges Malaga Grapes
Cipars Coffee Punch
The friction OF conversation added no
little to tho pleasures of the COLLATION.,
while the ladies, who acted as wait.
ressss, glided to and fro with the alac'
rIty Of Mercuries. they gave tho guests
40 time to rest upon their knives
and forks, but simultaneously With the
dispatcbing Of one course empty plates
disappeared and others filled with in.
Wiling viands took thelr places.
After the feast had continued for
about en- hour, the WELDING o. knives
and FORKS ceased, and oigars were lighte5.
A. this junclure Conmsndsl Smcot
again raped the assemblage to order
and introduced Judge E. W. Saunders,
member OF Congress from the DanVille
district, who 10 an able manner re-
sponded 10 the toast General Robert
E. Lee" The judges speech vas
brief, but every word was suggestive end
interesting and he WAS listened to with
close attention by the assemblage and
received hearty applause.
Judge Saunders was followed BY Rep.
resen talIye J. W. Collier, of Mississippi,
who was equally Interesting in his re-
sp,nse to The toast "Sons Of Veterans.
Mr.. Collier gave a rapid resume OF the
early history of the country, the impor-
taut parts played By Virsinians 10 the
stirring days preceding the revolutionary
war as veil "a during the seven years
conflict, the work of Jefferson and others
10 shaping the policies OF the newborn
country, and the services of Virgtnisos
Ia the years leading up to the civil war
ami. throughout the historic conflict. The
,neaks- referred to the new conditions
With which the OF. Confederate soldier
found himself after the var, and how he
had nobly scared above all his di@cul.
ties. he appealed to the Sons OF Vet
arsas never to relax 10 the psrpeluatlon
of their memories.
Osptain 8. B. Davis was to have re-
- - tho tonat stTha Women of