Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1924-12-05
NOTED new YORK PUBLISHER
GUEST OF WOODSTOCK

material advancement is dependant
upon closer union of citizens in.those
things which obtain for woodstock S
awakening and welfare. =
The banquet at the Academy, for the
splendid menu lifted what was to have
been supper to the dignity of BAN
Iquet, was the second gathering of the
towns business and professional men
where the material feast was only in
Icidental to feast of fraternalism and
/ inspiration.
| Due to the interest of Col. Howard
ii Benchoff, Headmaster of the
Academy, and one Of the directors of
the Chamber of Commerce, Major
George H. Putnam of New York, was
present as guest. Major Putnam is
| at the the head of one of the largest
publishing houses in the world and for
half century he has taken keen in
terest in national affairs, and as a
speaker he has an enviable reputation.
In introducing Major Putnam to the
student body of the Academy and the
citizens of the town, Col. Benchoff took
occasion to remind the diners that the
underlying motive in meeting together
was to foster better spirit of cooper
tive work for the veal of Woodstock,
and to arouse activity in accomplish
ing things for the upbuilding and up
lift of the town. He also spoke of the
great good which necessarily follows
in the wake of the publicity which
comes from having visitors of national
and international reputation come to
the Shenandoah Valley, and see for
themselves that Valley people do not
! exaggerate in the claims which they
i make that this is indeed the most
picturesque and most beautiful section
of America
MAJOR PUTNAM SPEEKS.
If Major Putnam had chosen text
for his remarks, following Col. Ben
choff's Introductory speech, it would
have been Nationalism versus Section
alism, and out of the depths of hisl
knowledge of men and events which
contributed vitality to the building of
the Republic and shaping its destiny, |
he gave his auditors lessons in patri- |
otism which were not only intensely
Interesting but were freighted with
lasting impressions.
Beginning with the earlier life oil
George Washington and particularly |
that part of it which brought him in |
contact with the ante Revolutionary
period Of the Valley, he followed thel
path of the Father of his country tol
the presidential chair. His intimate &C.
quaintance with his subjects as revealed
to his audience, was a revelation. It'll
was revelation to know that the VAL
ley. Turnpike, or a portion thereof, was
surveyed by the great American when
he was but youth, and that the
hardships attending this survey could
be better appreciated when it was
known that the original lines were run
from the tree tops of the almost
impenetrable forests which covered
! the Valley at that time.
PAYS TRIBUTE TO VIRGINIA.
Paying tribute to Washington,
Madison, jefferson, Marshall and that
brilliant galaxy of virginians of the
earlier days of the Republic, Major
Putnam took up the years of Civil War
in which he played conspicous part
AS a soldier under Sheridan he fought
in that part of the Valley campaign
when the Confederate forces were led
by General Jubal A. Early. The
speaker told ofSheridan's appreciation
of Early's strategy and gave a vivid
account Of the battle Of Cedar Creek
in which he was captured and made a
prisoner of war. His battle story cover
ing the troop movements leading up
to the clash and the maneuvers on the
field, were graphic and thrilling, and
indicated knowledge of the figh,
which Only participant, with a
marvellous memory, could have.
Sheridan's ride, in the speakers
OPINION, possessed none of the elements
of the extraordinary save in the effect
which it had on the morale of the
troops, and the inspiring of that con-
fidence which the soldiers had in their
commander, which turned apparent
defeat into victory.
1t was at Cedar Creek that Major
Putnam was made prisoner of war,
and his facetious narration of this
episode convinced his audience that
he possessed well developed sense
of humor. The story of the capture,
as told by him, was that he and com.
rade had found refuge, after an escape
| in the darkness fromthe Confederate
lguard, in an excavation near Stephens
City. Stumbling through the dark
several Johnny Rebs fell into the same
! hole and in dispute as TO the owner
ship Of the hole it developed that
major Putnam and his comrade were
4 Sheridan's men. This meant their
| recapture and they were again started
South as prisoners.
| PREACHED AMERICANIsM.
| Major Putnam preached an
Americanism which should rise above
| the petty sectional selfishness which
dominated men, and rlead for the
same interest in world affairs which
we have in domestic affairs. He is q
firm believe in the efficacy Of World
Court to settle international disputes,
and advocated the establishment oil
such a Court as was conceived by
Elihu Root and advocated by other
great Americans.
The intimate association Of the
Ispealxer with noted men, as brought
out ID his talk. added considerable in
Iferest to his address. and the rectal
~ several incidents in the life. 81
Icol. neeDevelf we're striking examples