Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 33.djvu/302

 298 Southern Historical Society Papers.

eloquent speech, introduced Congressman John Lamb, the author of the bill in Congress by which the flags came back.

THE AUTHOR OF THE BILL.

Captain Lamb, in figuratively presenting the flags to the Gover- nor of Virginia, made a stirring speech, in which he gave a history of the legislation by which the banners were returned. While he modestly explained that the bill was first introduced in Congress by "a Virginia member." he gave credit to Representative Capron, of Rhode Island, a Grand Army man, for the successful passage of the bill. His tribute to the men who fought under the flags was earnest and eloquent.

Hon. H. B. Davis, of Petersburg, introduced Governor Monta- gue, but before so doing he took occasion to explain that the " Virginia member " so modestly referred to by the speaker who had just taken his seat, the author of the flag returning bill, was Hon. John Lamb, of the Third District.

GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

Governor Montague was received with tremendous applause.

The Governor explained briefly how the flags were entrusted to the temporary care of the Chief Executive of the State. He had thus to assume a great responsibility and he sought the aid and co-operation of the Grand Camp, the organization which represents the men who fought under and made the flags glorious. The Gov- ernor said he had received many appeals for a different disposition of them fora distribution, etc., but he could not and did not resist the conclusion that the flags should be kept together, and that the Grand Camp of Confederate Veterans should be the custodians until the Legislature shall provide an everlasting abiding place for them. He recommended that they be put away in a fire-proof vault until the Legislature shall act at the request of the camp.

The Governor's tribute to the brave men who fought under the flags was eloquent and touching.

Colonel Tom Smith, ofFauquier, introduced ex-Governor Wil- liam E. Cameron, who on behalf of the Grand Camp, received the

flags.

GOVERNOR CAMERON'S SPEECH.

Colonel Cameron's speech was a finished composition, couched in beautiful English. Using the return from Persian captivity of