Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 29.djvu/20

 8 Southern Historical Society Papers.

the symbol of undying remembrance. The banner of the Ladies' Confederate Memorial Association and the flags of the United Con- federacy hung on either side, and upon the tables glowed the red, white and red of the Confederacy culled in flowers- from the gar- den.

Seated upon the platform were: Mrs. Wm. J. Behan, the able and devoted President of the Association, and the following officers of the organization: Mrs. Jos. R. Davis, Mrs. Lewis Graham, Mrs. F. A. Monroe, Miss Delphine Points, Miss Kate Eastman, Mrs. Alden McLellan, President of the Daughters of the Confederacy, Mrs. E. H. Farrar, Mrs. J. R. Davis and the Misses Davis, relatives of the great leader; Judge Charles E. Fenner, orator of the evening; Dr. Brewer, of the Army of Northern Virginia; Commander J. A. Har- ral, of the Cavalry Camp; E. P. Cottraux, Sumpter Turner, Gen- eral Adolph Chalaron, General Alden McLellan, W. M. Fayssoux, Colonel John B. Richardson, Judge Frank A. Monroe, Samuel All- ston, Rev. Gordon A. Bakewell.

Mrs. Wm. J. Behan graciously presided at the services, and de- livered the following beautiful and and appropriate introductory:

" United Confederate Veterans, Heroes of the South' s Incompar- able Army, Ladies and Gentlemen: You are invited here this even- ing by the Ladies' Confederate Memorial Association to do honor to the memory of our beloved chieftian, Jefferson Davis, the executive head of the Southern Confederacy. To-day we celebrate the ninety- third anniversary of the birth of this great man, whose trials were greater than man ever before was called on to bear, and who, under these afflictions, displayed a courage and patience that were most heroic and sublime. It is with just and pardonable pride, therefore, that we assemble here this evening, in these sacred precincts, this Confederate Memorial Hall, to honor his memory and hand down to posterity a true history of the life and character of Jefferson Davis, as soldier, statesman, patriot, hero, Christian gentleman and martyr of the Southern cause.

"The celebration will be opened with prayer by Rev. Dr. Gordon Bakewell, a Confederate veteran and follower of Jefferson Davis."

Dr. Bakewell then delivered a beautiful and impressive prayer.

St. John's Church choir furnished the music during the evening. With tender feeling the choir sang " Nearer My God to Thee." Then Mrs. Behan announced that the Ladies' Confederate Memorial