Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-11-05
Fir. Jefferson Davis Speech.

Ga being called to preside over the meeting
OF the rs Confederate soldiers assembled IN
Richmond, 10 show their respect to the memory
OF GEN. LEE.
He addressed his hearers Us Soldiers and
sailors of tn1 Cnnthcracy, comrades aud
fricnds": Assembled on this sad occasion, with
hearts oppressed With the grief that follows
the loss OF hun who was our leader on many
bloody battle field, a pleasing though melal-
cho!y spectacle is presented. Hitherto, and IN
all times, men have been honored when sue
csssiuf, but here is tic case Of one who, amid
disaster, wcat down 10 his grave, and those
VITO were his companions in misfortune have
assen brd to honor his memory. IL is as mnch
an homer to you who give as 10 him who re-
cei1es, Tor above the vulgar tes ct merit you
show yourselves competent to discriminate be-
tween him who er oys and he who deserves
success.
Robert T. Lie was my associate and trleod
in the military academy, ard we were friends
until the hour of his death. We were associ-
ates ami friends when be was soldier and |
congressman; and associates and friends when
he led the armies of tho Contederacy and l
presided in its Cabinet. We passed through
many sad scenes together, but cannot re-
member that there was ever ought but perfect
harmony between u. Ii ever there was differ
epce o! opinion it was dissipated by discussion,
and harmony Was the result. repeat, we
never disagreed, and [ may add that l never
in my life saw in him the the slightest tend
cucy to self seeking. 1t was not his to make
record, it was not his to shift blame to other
shoulders; but it was his with an eye fixed
upon the welfare OF his country, never taIter-
ing to follow the line Of duty to the end. His
was the heart that braved every difficulty his
was the mind that wrought victory out OF de-
feat.
lie has been charged with want of dash"
[ wish to say that ! never knew Lee to sfalter
to attempt anything ever man could dare. An
ATTEMPT has also been made to throw q cloud
upon his character because be left the army of
the United States to join in the struggle for
the liberty of bis State Without ,rcnching
ut ali upon politics, l deem it my duty to say
one word in reference to this charge. Virginia
horn, descended from family iustrious in
Tirgnia's annals, given by Virginia to the
service of the United States, he represented
her q the Military Academy at West Point.
He was not educated by the Federal Govern.
mcp1, but by Virginia; for she paid her full
share Tor the support of that institution, and
was entitled to demand in return the services
of her sons. Entering the army of the United
States, he represented Virginia there also, and
noby On many hard fought field Lee was
conspicuous, battling for his native State as
much as for the Union. He came from Mex:
co crowned with honors, covered by breve,s, and
recognized. young as he was, as one of the
abest OF his country's soldiers. And to prove
that he was estimated then as such, let me tell
you that when Lee was captain Of engineers
stationed 10 Baltimore the Cuban Junta in
New York selected him to be their leader in
the struggle for the independence of their ma
tive country they were anxious to secure his
services, AID offered him every temptation
that ambition could desire He though the
matter over, and, remember came to Wash,
ington to consult me as to what be should do,
and when began to DISCUSS the complications
which might arise from bis acceptance OF the
trust he gently rebuked me, saying that this
was not the line upon which he wished my ad-
vice, the simple question was, "Whetber it
was right or not" He had been educated by the
United States, and feI. wrong to accept place
in the army OF foreign power. Such was his
extreme delicacy, such was the nice sense of
honor of the gallant gentleman whose death We
deplore. But when Virginia withdrew-thc
State to whom be oweo bis first and last allie
eauce-,he same nice sense Of honor led him