The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-01-23
IN HONOR OF GENERAL LEE.
Anniversary OF His Birth appropriate
" Observed in NeWberry on
Friday.

| warrior is secure in the history, not
{ only of the South, but Of the world,
the human side of the great chieftain,
Robert E. Lee, was given the prom
inence in the exercises in NeWberry
commemorating the anniversary of
his birth. A magnificent address by
DR.. A. J. Bowers; the unveiling and
the presentation to the city schools
by Mrs. James A. Burton, on behalf
of the Drayton Rutherford chapter,
Daughters of the Confederacy, of a
portrait Of Lee, and appropriate songs
and recitations, we're features of the
occasion.
The Martin street high school build
ing, where the exercises were held,
was entirely too small to accommo-
date the large audience.
Mr.. James B. Hunter presided. He
announced that Adjutant NJ M. Buford,
of the James D. Nance camp, u. G. v,
very much regretted his absence, on
account of pressing business.
my Country, 'Tis of Thee and
"Dixie'' were sung by the school chill
dren, and fervent prayer was offered
by the Rev. J. W. Carson, followed by
the reading of a. portion Of the seth
Psalm, by the Rev. J. E, Carlisle.
Preceding the reading by DR.. A. j.
Bowers of the famous account of the
death of Lee by General William Pres
ton Johnstone, DR.. Bowers spoke Of
the life of Lee. The humanness and
the humility of the man he gave as
two elements Of his greatness. He said
the audience present was a credit to
the occasion. 1t was mo- sin of rebel
lion. The South was never guilty of
rebellion. But in the glorious heri-
tage of a reunited country, welded to-
gether with fraternal blood, one and
inseparable, the audience rejoiced to-
gether on this occasion in the dear
memories of those great and noble
and true in our history. Thrilling his
hearers with the beauty of his senti-
ments, and the power of his eloquence,
he spoke Of the letters of Lee to his
wife and children, while Lee was
fighting the battles of his country.
There were tears in many eyes when
he spoke of the letter written by Lee
when a. courier brought him a mes
sage on the battlefield telling of the
death Of the generals little daughter
at home, and Of the letter written by
Lee, while president of Washington
and Lee university, announcing to a
father the death Of his son, who was
student in the institution. A synop-
sis of Dr. Bowers remarks could not
do him justice. There has probably
never been heard in Newberry a finer
tribute to Lee as a husband and faith
er, and man. His supremacy as a
soldier was touched upon briefly, but
it was Lee as man Of great heart and
great soul that was the chief theme of
the magnificent eulogy.
''Tenting on the Old Camp Ground"
was beautifully rendered by quartet
composed Of Mrs. G. W. Connor, Miss
Ruby Holloway, DR.. John B. Settler
and Mr.. B. L. Dorrity.
Miss Bernice Martin feelingly gave
an appropriate recitation.
The portrait OF General Lee, pre-
sented by Mrs Parton, on behalf of
the Drayton RotEe e ri ,'"ap;:r o
the city schoo'5, IS l::,n ':nv+.t!:l hy
little Misses Troxell Wright and
Nancy Fox. In making the presenta-
tion, Mrs. Burton drew valuable les
sons from the life of Lee, and her
remarks breathed spirit of deep rev.
erence for the memory Of the great
man whose likeness she was pre-
senting. She said:
"Trustees, Superintendent, Princi-
nal, Teachers and Pupils of NeWberry
High School and of each school here
represented. AS historian of Drayton
Rutherford chapter, No. 152, U. D. c.,
come before you again to bring to
YOU a priceless gift-not so much,
perhaps, in dollars, and cents; br'
who can estimate the value Of the pi|
ture of such a man e % 'ero7 Robert
Edward Lee? Born January 19, 1907,
and died October 12 1870. Born one
hundred and five years AGO. and yet
+oIav ha is ono of tho most c00snjc:,.