The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-07-17
PEACE ON EARTH
SERMON SUBJECT
Blind Chaplain of House of
Representatives Preach
es Jubilee Sermon
SOUTH WINS GREATER
VICTORY IN DEFEAT
Great Reunion of Blue and
Gray at Manassas is
Object Lesson to all
the World

Especial to The Richmond virginiar.l
MANASSAS, VA. July le,-One
thousand people assembled on the
courthouse green to- night to hear the
peace jubilee sermon delivered by Rev.
II. n. Couden, the blind chaplain of the
House OF Representatives. which
marked the beginning Of the jubilee
week wifich will culirffnate TN the bat
tie fields OF Bull Run on July FL. when
the Blue and the Gray. will clasp
hands in fellowship. where half CEN
tury ago they engaged IN mortal COM
bat, In the first great struggle of the
war between the States.
Rev. coudon. took for his text the
18th and 18th verses of second chap
ter OF the gospel. according to St.
Luke; And suddenly there was with
the angel a multitude OF the Heavenly
host, praising God. and saying glory
to God in the highest. and on earth
peace. good win toward men, This,
said Mr.. Couden. will be a great de-
monstration. preaching an object les
son not only to our own people but
to all the world that God lives and
reins In the hearts Of American people.
Here In this vicinity the first great
battle Of the greatest war IN all mod
ern history took place. which shook
our modern republic from center to
circumference and caused the whole
civilized world to pause in Its pur-
suits, To learn new lessons in the arts
OF war from young America
Argument Of Peace.
After a lapse OF fifty years, the
brave men. who fought that battle and
the subsequent battles. are coming
back to the scene Of the first great
struggle. not In battle array. thirsting
for fraternal blood. but In the garments
of peace, with love and fraternity In
their hearts. and to clasp each others
hands in brotherfy love, to talk over
the old scenes. enter into the trying
ordeais. which tried mems souls.
Such scene Is unique In the history
OF the world and argues well for hu-
nanfty. 1t proves that faith IL
stronger than doubt. hope Is stronger
than fear and mercy stronger than
revenge. Man fs q strange mixture of
good and evil, but in the long run Is
tory will record that good predomi-
mates the world.
Victory in Defeat.
1T is better than 1t was less than a.
centur'- ago. else We could not ceie-
brate this great peace Jubilee.
After four years of strife and blood
shed the South. laid down her arms, but
she won a greater victory in her de-
feat than had she triumped over her
foes"
He paid high tribute to the heroes
of the Southern confederacy. and re-
Joiced that the North and the South
were now more firmly united than be-
fore that great conflict was waged
President to Attend.
The Groveton memorial pavilion.
under which President Taft will sit
and witness the grand reunion and
jubilee VIII be dedicated with appro-
pirate ceremonies Wednesday.
Among those who will be present
and deliver addresses are Colonel
Robert A. Thompson. OF New York,
a Union veteran, who contributed $50
towards the building of the pavilion.
General McLeer, of Brooklyn, y. Y,
who delivered the address a. the tsedi-
cation Of the Federal monuments on
the Bull Run fields. and Colonel Rob
eri f. Lee, Jr.
Governor Mann. who was expected
to be present, has notified the COM
mittee of his inability to be there,
but that one Of his STAFF, will be on
hand to speak for him. Colonel
Thompson has donated the badges
TO be given the veterans Of both
sides. and these badges will be ready
for distribution at the committees
headquarters Wednesday morning
Unique Exercises.
On Tuesday the forty-eight young
ladies. who are to represent the
United States. will assemble In Ruff
ner school building. to complete the
arrangements TO rthe part which they
will take in the reunion exercises.
Mrs. p. r. Hodge. assisted by the
Manassas orchestra, will direct the
musical feature Of the program. which
will be composed of national and war
songs, and the Manassas jubilee song.
composed especially for the jubilee
occasion by Mrs. Mary Speed.
Manassas Is In gala attire. Through
the decorators here and before the
date OF jubilee the Main streets will
be Respondent with electric bulbs,
Transforming them into thoroughfares
Of panoramic beauty. Much en-
thuEasm prevails among those who
are striving to make this one of the
most unique and enjoyable occasions
within the history of Prince William
county.
Lieutenant George G. Round. chair
man of the jubilee committee, Ia In
daily receipt OF letters from all over
the country from Union ana Confed-
crate veterans signifying their inten-
ton OF being present. to shake hands
with each other. in token Of friend
ship and unity,