Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1912-01-24
Col. Ross Response at Veterans
Banquet Friday

oh4tCt II ii0dy
In responding to the greeting by
CoDmandant E. l.. Graham of ths
Sons OF Confederases At the Confed-
crate Veterans banquet on Lee
jackson Day. Col. ]. D. II. Ross, on
behalf OF Lee-Jackson Camp of Con.
federste Veterans, said in part:
Gentlemen Of Camp Frank Paxton,
Sons Of Veterans:
1t is with feeling of much diff
dence that l appear as spokesman
for Lee-Jackson Camp of Confeder.
ate Veterans, to make acknowledge
ment OF this continued, long contin.
ued and persistent evidence of your
gracious hospitality. l could we'll
wish that the honor had fallen to one
better fitted to do Justice 10 the &C.
casion. But l have been detailed
to do that duty; and as in war /
never shirked when called to duty,
though l never accomplished any
wonders that attracted general at
tention, yet l always responded
promptly 70 any such call and did
the best l could.
1t warns the very cookies OF the
hearts OF these old soldiers TO feel
that their efforts and sacrifices in
behalf of constitu tionsl government,
made honestly and earnestly with
every power OF mind, body and es-
tate, now half a century ago, are
still recognized and appreciated by
you, our sons. though many of you
are suffering today from the losses
sustained by us in our long, ar6u-
Gus and unprecedented struggle.
There is no act known TO society
by which it can express it's desire
10 do honor and show affection to
one or many whom it delights to
1onor, better recognized and more
usual than a Widespread table and
cordial invitation to partake OF its
bounties. Such you have spread
for us today, and you have estab-
ished another green spot in our
memories by having us here as your
guests.
We miss many who have been
accustomed to meet with us on
these festive and wholly delightful
occasions, but l have time to refer.
briefly, to only one.
If any Camp Of Confederate Vet
Grams had reason 10 bless itself for
he kind and character OF men who
commanded it for so many years.
his Lee-Jackson Camp has more.
Captain Preston Moore was sbso-
utely ideal as commander of a Con.
federate camp. From bis long and
efficient service as clerk of the
county be was perhaps more famil.
lar with the people of the county
than any man IN it, and especially
with their financial conditions. This
made him..very useful in deciding
questions frequently arising in ap-
plications for pensions. His heart
was tender and ever open to the CRY
OF the distressed. His manners
were cordial and gracious and his
patience seemed without limitations.
He was painstaking and thorough
in all he did, and / think never lost
sight OF the business and interest OF
Lee Jackson Camp. He made
point of paying the last tribute OF
respect to the memb ers who Passed
over the River" often riding many
miles for that sacred purpose, and
taking as many others with him as
possible. He never neglected
member OF the Camp. living or dead.
Peace to his ashes. and glory to bis
memory. May his successor DOS.
sess his high virtues and initiate his
noble example.
Colonel Ross concluded with an
eloquent tribute to Generals Lee
and Jackson, two of the greatest
men and purest characters born
under the Southern sum-"
whose memories we would keep
green by these camps and annual
reunions and these cheerful feasts,
for we meet not to mourn but to re-
iOipa that Snoh ,noo uaro 49,.