Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1870-11-12
FROM the R.eiRond Di.Paieh.
THE MEMORY OF LEE.
NETTING OF coXFEDERATE soLDirks,


escorted down the middle aisle TO front seat,
amid the most enthusiastic aud hearty cheer
ing aud applause.
TEMPORARY ORGANIZATION.
AT =! o'clock the meeting was called TO or
der by General Bradley I johnson, who pro-
posed the following tenlp6risy organization :
Presidsnt-Mtj Gen. JubAl A. Early, of Va.
Sscretariss-Capt C. c. Lawson, Capt. Geo.
Walker, and Sergeant Geo. L. Christian.
These nominations were received with ap-
plause, and unanimously carried. Gen. Early
then took the chair. He WAS clad in the old
Confederate gray. which-he has never forsasen
since the Confederate fag went down. at Apo
mattUI.
GENERAL EAELYs ADDRESS.
"Ffieads anil Comrades: When the infor-
nation Of the death of our illuStriouS comman-
der was flashed over the teesraphic wires TO
all parts OF the civilized world, good men every
where incurred the loss of him who in life
was the noblest exemplar of his times of all
that is good, aud true, and great in hunan ma
ture and cry of anguish was wruuG from
the heart Of every true Confederate soldier,
which was equalled only by that which came
up from the same hearts when the fact was
realized that the sword Of Robert f. Lee was
sheathed forever, aud the banner to which lds
deeds had given such luStre was tHred amid
gloom and disaster. After the first burst Of
grief had subsidized the inquiry arose III the
hearts Of all, What can we do 10 manifest our
esteem and veneration for him we loved SO well?
Ii was but necessary that thesuggestion should
be made to elicit an expression OF the general
sentiment thought that | could take the
liberty Of making that suggestion TO my old
comrades, and | therefore made the call under
which YOU are here assembled. Although |
made that call as the former senior in rank of
all the officers Of the Army Of Northern Virgin
ia now living in the State, desire 10 say 10
you. that at the tomb Of General Lee all dis
tinctons Of rank cease The private soldier,
who, In tsttered uniform and sure and bleeding
feet, followed the banner upheld by Lee aud
Jackson, sn6 did not desert or skulk in the
hour Of danger, bl; sia his duty 70 the end of
the war and is now doing his 6Gty hy remain
ing true 10 theprinciples for which ne fought,
is the peer Of the most renowned IN fame or
exalted in rank among the survivors. He has
an equalslarein the proud heritage left Us in the
memory Of the gIorions deeds an6 bright viz
tues Of our great chieitAin. All such | meet
and welcome here, claiming them as my friends,
comrades, aud brothers.
Ny friends, if it is expected that shall on
this occasion deliver an ouingy on Gen. Lee,
YOU will be disappointed have not the an-
qua Se with which to give expression Of my es-
estimate Of the GreItaesS and goodness Of his
character. / will say, however, that as exalted
as is his fame, the world NJ large has not fully
appreciated the transcendent abilities of Gen.
Lee nor realized tie perfection Of bis charac-
ter. No one that has not witnessed the aifec-
tionate kindness aud gentleueSs, aud often
plsyiuueSs, Of his manners in private, his great
seIt-co0trUl and dignity in dealing with impor-
tant public affairs the exhibition of his high
and uuyisldiug sense Of duty On all occasions,
aud the majestic grandeur Of his action and
appearance amid the shock Of battle, can form
more than a. Approximate estimate Of his real
character.
Monuments Of marble or bronze can add no.
thing 70 the fame Of General Lee, aud 1t is not
necessary to preserve 1t that such should lie
erected Blu; the student Of history in future
ages, who shall read OF the deed, a.d virtues,
of our immortal hero, will be l,st ~ smazement
at the fact that such 4 mau went down to his
grave DISTINGUISHED citizen by the ediCt of
bis cOutempurares-wLjc Infamous edict has
been forced to be recorded on the statute book
Of his native State by the fat Of an inexo-able
deSpotism.
We, my comrades. owe it to ourselves at
least 70 purge ourselves Of the foul stain 10y
erecting an enduring monument to him, that
will be a constant protest, for all time to come,
against the righteousness OF the judgment pro-
nouuCed against him, without arrangement
without trial, without evidence, aud without
justice. The exact locality Of that monument
DO lot now propose to suggest. When We
are 10 a condition 20 erect 1t, It will in my
opinion, be the proper time TO settle definitely
its locality; aud | merely say now that it
should be where il will be accessible to all his
boys and their descendants.
Something has been suggested with regard
to the final restiug-place OF all that was NOR
tai Of our beloved commander, This is aQues-
ton at this time solely for the determination
Of the immediate friends Of General Lee Let
Us respect the feelings Of those who have sus-
tanned 50 terrible a bereavement. | am sure
that the soldiers who followed him through
such dreadful trials will have regard for the
wishes Of that noble Virginia matron who, be-
ing allied % Washington, has been the chosen
bosom companion through the life Of Lee.
am more than grauhed at the fact that the
great statesman aud pure patriot ehy presided
over the deStuieS of the Confederate States.
who selected General Lee to lead her armies,
and gave him bis entire confidence throughout
all his glorious career, is here 10 niingle his
grief with ours, aud to join in paying tribute
10 the memory Of him We mourn"
These remarks were repeatedly interrupted |
Cy applause.
Rev. DR.. Minuegerode was then called to the I
pulpit and offered up leryent aud emineutly /
appropriate prayer. He thanked the Almighty 4
Ur having given 70 Us and the country one SO /
great in every virtue aud grace, 50 true to his
fod aud hls country, and that we have reason .
10 believe that be bas been translated from this .
world OF SORROW to Gods own presence. be
banked God frr tie lofty charlotte. aud noble
he now before southern youth Al an example
4 all that IS good and great, and for the eleva-
Ell reflections ever accompanying our recullec-
ions Of this son Of Virginia. lie prayed ear
.eftly that the great affection be sanctGed to
his mourning people, aud that We may follow
.lm as be followed Christ
COMMITTEES APPOINTED.
After tie PRAYER, on motion Of Gen. B. T.
Johnson. committees on permanent organiza-
lou and On Resolutions were appointed:
PERMANENT oss1NIzATIox.
After AZ absence Of few minutes the Com
littse on Permanent Organizations returned.
nd Gen Terry chairman, presented a report
the following permanent oreaui-