Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-11-01
COMMUNICATED
En Memory Of Ten. Zee.
MEETING IN WEsTMoRELAND COUNTY.

COMMUNICATED.
En Memory Of Gen. Rec.
MEETING IN wEsTMoRELAND COUNTY, VA.
A meeting Of the citizens of Wcstmoreaud
county was held at Montross, on Thursday, the
Goth instant, for the purpose OF expressing
their sense OF the great loss sustained by the
county in the death OF Gen. Robert E. Lee.
On motion Of W. w. Walker, ESQ.,, Judge
George w. Lewis was called to the chair, and
Doctor John g. Mayo appointed secretary.
Alter statement OF the object Of the meet
Ing by the chair, eloquent and impressive ad-
dresses were delivered by Hon. Willoughby
Newton, General r. j.. Il. Bealc, and William
W. Walker, Esq,
On motion, the chair appointed General H.
J.. T. Bcale, Hon. w. Newton, W. W. Walker,
Esq, and Colonel Joseph Mayo, committee
10 express and present in suitable form the
feelings of the people of Westmorc land, the
native county OF General Zee, upon the sa
event of his death.
This committee, through Colonel Joseph
Mayo, to whom the duty of its preparation
was entrusted, presented the following memo.
rial:
Devoutly bending under the chastening rod
Of the all-wise and good Ruler Of the Universe,
We desire to unite with our friends and couu-
trymcu throughout Virginia and the South in
making known, as we'll as is possible for human
speech to embody the feelings OF the human
heart, our sense Of the bereavement we have
sustained in the death of General Robert L.
Lee, and in paying to the memory Of the Illus
trous dead the unmeasured tribute of our
gratitude, reverence and love. Aud whilst we
recognize with becoming pride the TACT that the
fame and character of our beloved chieltain arc
the joint heritage of all mankind; whilst we
behold with unfeigned qualification the solemn
and impressive demonstrations which attest the
value the Southern people have placed upon
the acts and services Of the mes: iIlustrious de-
fender OF our righteous cause, and whilst we
lend our voices to swell the mighty dirge which
procaims to all the world how irexpressibly dear
10 Virginia was he, the nohleSt, most loving,
dutiful and devoted OF all her children, it is
peculiarly meet and proper for Us Oh this oc'
casion to express the pride and pleasure we ex
rCriencc from the reflection thir to our dear old
county belongs the honor Of giving birth ~
General Robert E. l4cc, aud that it has for that
reason double claim to be cherished among
The most renowned and haIlowed spots OF earth.
Washington aud Lee, sons of Wcstmoreland,
names which. at no distant day, will be insepa-
rahy linked together in the impcrlshahie an-
nails Of human greatness and glory. The tamc
of the Iormer is now securely fixed Tor all future
time In every language which Is spoken BY
civilized man history has recorded his panegy
ric as 'the worlds great paragon-the cyno
sure of his race" TO the same august tribunal
VIC commit the reputation of Robert r.. Lce.in
the perfect confidence that its judgment will
Justify the estimation IN which he is to day re-
gardcd by the people OF the South, is the per-
icct model Of q Christian hero, patriot ami sage,
and the equal and peer Of George ashlnglon
in ali the~auaiiics which go to make up the
~ n n
glory and excellence.
His was the upright Decd
Ills the answering course
Mid oyery thwartng currents force,
Unchanged by vensl aim or ast!ery's hollow
rocG;
1ho holy truth walked ever by his side
And in his bosom d@ct, companion, judge
and guidc.
Bu. when disease revealed
To his uncloudcd eye
rho stern destroyer standing nigh,
Where turned he for q shield?
Wrapt he tho robe OF stainless rec!itudo
Around his brcas. to meet cold Jordsn's food?
Grasped he the staff of pride
His stops through deaths dark vale to guide
All, no! self Righteousness he cast aside,
Cissping with firm and fearless faith tho cross
of Him who died.
lie pressed the crumbling vorgo Of this terres-
tial scene,
Rrcsthod saft, in childliko trust,
The parting croan,
Gave back to dust its aust,
TO heaven its own.
TO the family of the deceased VIC tender our
sirccrest sympathy aud coincidence. The Bit
tcrncss OF our own grief, the sadness OF our
OWN bereavement, admonish us how intense
must be the affection Of those, who having the
exalted privilege OF knowing him in the purity
and loneliness Of his private domestic life cx
poricncc sorrow over his loss which tho world
cannot know
On motion, the Secretary of the meeting was
directed to forward copy of these proceedings
to the family Of General Lee, and a cory also
to the Memorial Association of Lexington.
GEORGE w. LEWIS, Chairman.
JOHN &. MAYO, Secretary
A LII ABSENT AND DELINQUENT
"a members of the Alexandria Cath olIc Beno-
Icisl Society are hereby notified that the new