The union Democrat. [volume] (Sonora, Calif.) 1854-1946, 1870-11-26
SONORA TUOIUMNE COUNTY, NOVEMBER IS, 1870.

WDiS0 tEeG arose followed niEs WAS1 nc went
TO South Carolina, so that 1t became necessary
Gu his going to South Carolina to write let
ter to the Governor of that State. telling him
what manner of man be was. Yet. through
all this, with magnanimity rarely equailed.
he stood IN silence. without defending him
self or allowing others to defend him. Ter he
was unwilling to offend any one who was
wearing sword and striking blows for the
Confederacy. Mr.. Davis then spoke of the
straits TO which the Confederacy was reduced
and of the danger to which her capital was
exposed Just after the battle of Seven Pines.
and told how General Lee had conceived and
executed the desperate plan to turn their flank
and rear, which. after seven days of bloody
battle, was crowned with the protection eff
Richmond, while the enemy was driven from
the city. The speaker referred also to the cir
eumstances attending General Lees crossing
the Potomac and the march into Pennsylvania.
Ile( Mr.. Davis assumed the responsibility for
that movement. The enemy had long been
concentrating his force. and it was evident
that they continued their steady progress
the Confederacy would be overwhelmed. Our
only hope was to drive him to the defence of
his own capital, and we being enabled in the
meantime to reinforce our shattered army.
How we'll General Lee carried out that dan
moud was relieved, the Confederacy was re-
lieved and time was obtained. If other things
had favored. to reinforce the army. But,
said Mr.. Davis, / shall not attempt to review
The military career of our fallen chieftan.
OF the man, how shall speak He was my
friend, and in that word is included all that
could say of any man. His raoral qualities
ruse to the height of his genius. Selt-deny
ing. always intent upon the one idea of duty.
self-controiled toan extent thnt many thought
him cold. His feelings were really warm, and
his heart melted freely at the sight of wound
ed soldier or the story of the srfferings of the
widow and orphan. During the war he vas
ever conscious of the inequality of the means
at his control, but was never bis to complain
or to utter a douht--it was always his to do
When in the last campaign he was beleaguer
ed at Petersburg, and painfully aware of the
straits to which he was reduced he said:
with nv army in the mountains of Virgin
ia could carry on this war twenty years long
er." His men exhausted and his supplies
! failing, he was unable to carry out bis plans.
An untoward event caused him to anticipate
the movement and the Army of Norther Vir-
@inia was overwhelmed. But in the surren-
der he anticipated conditions that have not
been fuflled-he expected his army to be re-
SfleCtVu. anu his paEoltu SolulSTS 10 De hituh-
ed the enjoyment Of life and prosperity.
Whether these conditions have been fulfilled,
letnthers say, Here he now sleeps in the land
be loved so we'll, and that land ia not Virginia
| only, for they DO injustice to Lee who believes
he fought only for Virginia. He was ready
to go anywhere, on any service for the good
Of his country, and his heart was as broad as
the fifteen States struggling for the principles
that our forefathers fought for in the Revolu
ton Of l776. lie is sleeping in the same soil
with the thousands who fought under the
same flag, but first offered up their lives.
Here the living are assembled to honor his
memory, and there the skeleton sentinels
keep watch over his grave. This Citizen this
soldier, this great general this true patriot,
left behind him the browning glory of true
Christian. His Christianity ennobled him in
| life and affords US grounds for the belief
that he is happy beyond the grave. But,
while we mourn the loss of the great and true,
drop we also tears of sympathy with her who
was his helpmate in life-the noble woman
who, while her husband was in the field
leading the army of the Confederacy. though
an invalid herself, passed the time knitting
socks Cor the marching soldiers! woman fit
| to be the mother of hefoes-aud heroes are de-
scended from her. Mourning with Der, we can
only offer the consolation of a Christian. Our
loss is not his for he now enjoys the rewards of a
| life we'll spent and a never-wavering trust in
a risen Savior. This day we unite our words
of sorrow with those Of the good and great
throughout Christendom. for his fame is gone
over the water. His deeds will be remember
ed; and when the monument we build shall
/ have crnmbled into dust. his virtues will still
| live, high model for the imitation of gener-
atoms yet Misunderstanding Meas, Noc 5.