Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1917-01-20
BANQUET LAST NIGHT

Alexandria has been the scene OF
two banquets this week. There was
one Wednesday night, at which sol
diers of the present day were the
honored guests. But, like "The King
of France with ten thousand men,
who marched up the hill and down
again" they were hurried to the war
zone but their presence with thous-
ands of other noble Americans was
all the demonstration necessary to
cause the fractions Mexicans to stop,
look and listen. The authorities have
stated that there is no further ne
cessity for guarding our border, and
the young Alexandrians, having per-
formed their duty, returned nome
this week and were accorded the Vel
come they deserved.
: The graybeards, however, Wac
gathered last night had "been there.
They all had smelled powder and
heard the click of muskets, and some
bore scars. They fought, tramped'
tasted, and roughed it for four years,
and won their spurs honestly even at
the lannon's mouth.
There is nothing more thrilling to
older members of our community
n
than the annual reunion OF ex-Con-
federate Veterans given under the
auspices of R. E. Lee Camp OF TINS
CITY. While all the attendants are
not former members of the Copfed-
crate army, the speeches animate all
alike, even those who wore the olue'
and who often mingle with the sur
vivors of the "Lost Cause" There Is
now no north, south, east or wess'
but they are all Americans, and are
Justly proud of the great men which
the war between the states brought
out whether they were born north
or south of Mason and DiXon's line.
R. E. Lee Camp has been one OF
Alexandria's most honored organiza-
tons for over a quarter OF a cen
tury, and during those years many
who were at their prime at the or
ganization of the camp have drop
ped out of the ranks and now rest
upon the other side of the river. But
all feel as though their shades are
nresent at these annual gatherings.
It was so last night, and when
Rev. j. w. Duffey, pastor OF the
M, E. Church, South, in delivering
the invocation referred to the house
hold now plunged in sorrow by the
nassing away of the father OF the
family, former member OF Mosoy 5
command, the sincere sympathy Oh
the survivors went out to the
stricken ones.
The reunion last night was AKIN
TO those of former years. Senator
Bcckham, of Kentucky, was the only
out-of-town speaker, and MS re-
marks were listened to with close
attention. He is comparatively 4
young man and has rapidly climbed
the ladder of fame. After term as
Governor of his native state OF Ken
tucky. he was sent to the United
States Senate, where he ably repre-
SCENTS his commonwealth. He sent
thrills through his hearers when ne
went back into the history of Ken
lucky, calling attention to the TACT
that it is the hardy offspring OF
the Old Dominion.
Senator Bankhead and Congress
man Estopinal were unable to be
present, but John NJ. Johnson, so
often called upon to fill gaps caused
bv the inability of certain Congress
man to be present, jumped into the
zap and delivered an interesting.
address on Robert E. Lee, composed
in the main of anecdotes and incl
dents in the life of the great COM
mander. They were original to all,
present and were greatly enjoyed.
1t is said of Socrates that on one
OCCASION a travelling phrenolosist
entered his school at Athens and
began to examine the, philosophers
Uranium. He told Socrates that he.
was an impatient and high-tempered
man. The pupils were about to: mob,
the itinerant when Socrates raised
his hand and said, every word he
has uttered lis true; he has S$told you
what | really am But / fight daily
and hourly against my weaknesses"
Mr.. Johnson showed that Robert E.,
Lee was a s!aa Of Ike passions. as
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