Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1917-01-18
l.tered ut the Postofnce ~ Ale9An
III, virginia. as second class nttter.
BANQUET TO THE BOYS.

1t is said that the Spartan women
cut off their hair and plated 1T INTO
bow strings for their young war
riors. The spirit of the maidens OF
old was manifest last night mi
Westminster Building when the
members of the Alexandria Light
Infantry with many Of their friends,
gathered around the banquet table.
The Young men had returned to their
home early yesterday afternoon
when majority Of the community
turned out to welcome and escort
them to their arrnory. This was the
first act. A royal entertainment
awaited them at night. and when the
company was raped to order and an
invocation had been /, asked, the
festal scene began which continued
for about three hours.
The alacrity with which the ladies'
who had prepared the feast served
the same was noticeable, and, they
Znaid close attention to each guest,
There were no intcrmissionsSS course
#otiowing course with precision
With could not have been improved
t3Gta in the most modern hosiery
III Paris.
1t, was sincere appreciation of the
honored guests and the noble chapter
in their early lives--the fruits OF
their, inborn patriotism which had
for over 81 xmonths segregated them
in PARKWAY Texas, a. strange land,
so to- speak, while parents, sisters,
brothers and sweethearts were at
least a thousand miles away.
AS had been anticipated, every
thing passed of in the most satisfac-
tory manner, The guests We're happy
in the attentions shown them, while
the hostesses were more than repaid
by the smiles of just appreciation
which emantGd from all present.
Alexander the Great dared not
spccify among the gymsophists =
ALL, he said, had performed their
parts admirably. Neither shall We
say who uttered the most thrilling
words in the speeches which fol-
lowed. All did well. Congressman
Carlin, however, in his defense Of
the. National Guard, of which the
Alexandria Light Infantry forms a
part, against the strange impress
sion among some that. they are in
sense inferior to soldiers Of the re-
gular army, set US to thinking 1t
brought to our mind conditions in the
days of George the Third, When Eng
lish soldiers strangely imagined
they were invulnerable. The we'll
known interview between George
Washington and the pompous British
General Braddock took place in the
Carlyle House in Alexandria prev
ious to the defeat and death OF Brad
dock. The latter was seemingly
amused when Washington threw out
some suggestions to the Britisher.
It was gross presumption for any one
to give advice to an officer of the
regular British army. Braddofn
was told to beware of an ambush.
His fate is sad chapter of contia-
entail history.
Later when the new republic was
about to be born, our forefathers
began to lose faith in the supposed
proves of the red coats. The latter
had several times been thrown back
by Indians. These facts inspired the
lovers of liberty, and the militia OF.
sl continental days eventually
ssss;,sed the British lion to creep away
Iis island home. what has been
ss,zcan be done again" was an old
ss,s1g among the Romans. When
deyaai war is again in evidence the
so-called militia can be relied upon.
Evidence to that effect is not want
mo