Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1870-11-11


show yourselves competent to discrim-
mate between him who enjoys and he
who deserves success.
Robert i. Lee was my associate and
friend in the military academy,
and we were friends until the hour Of
his death. We were associates and
friends when he was soldier and
a congressman and associates and
fciends wheE he led the armies Of the
Confederacy and presided in its Cab
met. We passed through many sad
scenes together, but | cannot rcmem-
Der that there was ever aught but per-
feet han mony between Us. III ever
there was difference of opinion il was
dissipated by discussion, aud harmony
was the result. | repeat, Ue ncrer dis
agreed, and | may add that | never
in my life saw in him the slightest ten
dency to self-seeking. 1t was not his
TO make a record, il was not his to
shift blame to other shoulders but it
was his with an eye fixed upon the
welfare of his country, never faltering
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 defeat.
He has been charged with "want of
dash" | wish to say that / never
knew Lee &c falter to attempt anything
ever man could dare. An attempt has
also been made to throw q cloud upon
his character because he left the army
Of The United States to join in the
struggle for the liberty of his state.
Without 'renching at all upon politics,
| deem 1t my duty to say one word in
reference to this charge. Nirginiau
born. descended from family ilustri-
Gus in Virginia's annals, given by
Virginia to the service of the Unite,i
States, he represented her in the Mill
tary Academy at West Point. He was
educated 10y the Federal Government,
but by Virginia; for she paid her full
share for the support of that institu-
ton, and was entitled in return the
services Of her sons. Entering the
army of the United States, he repre-
scented Virginia there also, and nobly.
On many "a hard-fought field Lee was
conspicuous, battling for his native
State a. IN ch "a for the Union. He
came from Mexico crowned with hon
ors, covered 10y brevcts, aud recognized
young as he was, rs one of the ablest
of his country's soldiers. And TO
prove that he was estimated then az
such, let me tell you that when Lee
was n captain of engineers stationed in
Bait more the Cuban Junta ia New
York selected him to he their leader in
the struggle for the independence OF
their native country. They were
anxious to secure his services. and Of
cred him every temptation that am
hitiOn could desire. lie thought the
matter over, and, i remember, came
to Washington to consult me as 70 what
lie should do. and when Logan to dis
cuss the complications which might
arise rom his acceptance OF the tfust
ie gently rebuP ed me, saying that this
was not the line upon which he wished
my advice, the simple question was
HheEher II U0s r{ght or not" He
had been educated 10y the United
states and felt wrong to accept place
in the army OF foreign power Sdct
was hs extreme dclicscy, such was the
nice sense OF honor OF the gallant gen
| tleman whose des,h we deplOre. RlI
when Virginia Withdrew-ihc state 4
whom he owed his first aud last nile
| Riance-the nice sense OF honor leo
| him To draw his sworn and throw il IA
| heecale for good or foreVil. Pardon IN,
for this brief defense Of my illUslriou,
friend.
When Virginia joined the Confrd
| eracy, Robert Lee, the highest office
in the little army OF Virginia, came {,
| Richmond, and not pRu-ing to inquir,
what would be his rank in the service
of the Confederacy, went to Western
Virginia under the belief that he wa
still an ofiicer'Of the State. He cam
back. carrying the heavy weight OF de
feat and unappreciated by the peOpl
whom lie served, for they could no
know, IA knew, that if his plans an,
orders had been carried out the resul
would have been victory rather than re
treat. You did not know, for " ould no
have known it had he not breathed il il
my ear only at my earnest request, am
begging that nothing he said about il
The clamor that then arose fOllOwe
him when he went to South Carolina
so that IL became Necessary on his SO
ing TO South Carolina To write lette
10 the Governor OF that State, tellin
him what manner of man he WAS. He
through all this, with magnanimi;
rarely equalled, he stood in silence
without defending himself or allOwin
others TO defend him, for he WAS M
willing to offend any one who wa
wearing a sword and striking blows ia
the Confederacy.
Mr.. Davis then spoke of the straight
10 which the Confedorary was reduce
and f the danger TO which her capt.;
was exposed Just after the battle A,
Seven Pines, and told how Gener,
Lee had conceived and executed Ill
desperate plan to turn their flank an
rear, which after seven days Of blood
battle, was crowned with the prOte,
ton of Richmond, while the eneM
was driven far from the city. II
speaker referred also TO the circun
stances attending General Lees eros
ing the Potomac and the march; int
Pennsylvania. lie (Alr Davis asSun
p cd the responsibility for that NOV
meut. The enemy had long been COZ
centrating his force. and IL was eVidci
that if they continued their stead
progress the Conicderaoy would
overwhelmed. Our only hope was
drive him To the defense of his ON
capital, we being enabled i'm the meal
time 10 reinforce our shattered arm.
How well Gen. Lee carried cut thi
dangerous experiment need not be tol'
Richmond was relieved, the COnleder
cy was relieved, and time was Obtain
ed, il other things had favored, to reil
force the army.
But, said Mr. Davis, I shall not a
tempt To review the military caro'
[ OF our fallen Chioftan. or the mai
how shall speak? lie was my frier
aud i'm that word II included all that
could say of any man. His NOR
: qualities rose to the height of his gcu
} Us. Self denying-always intent upo
/ the one idea of duty--sclf-cOnlrollt
e 10 an extent that many thought hi
cold. Ills feelings were really warn
| and his heart melted freely AT the sigl
, Of wounded soldier or the story
the offerings of the widow and o
1 phan. During the war he was evl
= conscious of the inequality OF q
Q m ans at his control hut Il was new
\ his TO complain or 10 utter doubt
was always his TO do. When In Il
3 last campaign lie was teleagured
= Dpfarshurtr and Rainfu1Iv ufVurn of II