Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-11-11
LEE MEMORIAL CONVENTION.
Jefferson Davis Speeeh-Army OF
Northern Virginia Organization.

Northern virginia Orsanizattoh.
As already stated briefly by telegraph,
Mr.. Jefferson Davis, on taking the chair
to preside over the Lee Memorial Con-
vention in Richmond, Virginia, Thurs
day night OF last week, made some elo-
quent remarks upon the life, character
and career of General Robert E. Lee.
He said:
General Lee was not a self-seeking
man. He never sought to shift dangers
or responsibilities from himself. He un-
derstood the difficulties of our situation
at all times If he needed men and they
could not be furnished him, be compre-
hended why, and never complained. His
heart was the one that braved difficulty,
his mind the one that brought victory
out of defeat. Mr. Davis had never
known the occasion when Lee had fall
tered to attempt anything that man could
dare. Mr.. Davis then referred to the at
tempt to cloud the luster of the name OF
Lee by charging him with desertion Of
the United States army and the nation
at whose expense he had been educated.
Lee was Virginian, descended from a
family illustrious in the history of Vir-
ginia. He was given by Virginia to the
general service, and represented her at
West Point, and afterward in the army.
As Virginia paid in her full quota for
the maintenance Of the West Point Acad
envy, he denied that Lee received his
education at the expense Of the United
States.
In this connection Mr.. Davis related
the following incident: When, during the
struggle in Cuba, the Junta we're casting
about to find a leader, they hit upon
General then Captain Lee, aud made
him the most tempting offers of rank and
money. They offered even to make a
settlement upon his family such as sur
passed his brightest hopes for the future.
Lee was an engineer at that time and the
speaker Congressman. Lee came to
him at Washington to consult the pro-
priety Of accepting the offers of the
Junta. The speaker was discussing the
military aspect Of the question, when
Lee interrupted him by referring to the
TACT that he had been educated for the
army of the United States, and it was
his belief that for this reason alone he
had been offered such high position.
He then said that he did not feel at liberty
to accept the offer So nice was his
sense of honor. But when Virginia, his
native State, Joined the South, he felt
himself compelled TO cast his sword in
the scale of the Confederaey, for good or
for evil. .hnra,.tntF aFt nal
Mr.. Davis referred to the beginning Of
General Lees career in the Confederacy
and the discredit which attached to him
for the failures in West Virginia. Gen
eral Lee could have thrown the blame
on others had he been so disposed. The
facts of that campaign were disclosed to
no one but the speaker. II General
Lee S plans and orders had been carried
out in this campaign success would have
attended his efforts Never did he reveal
these facts to any but the speaker, and
then il was with the request that they
might be kept silent HeWas a man of
rare magnanimity.
When, after the battle Of Seven Pines,
the enemy crossed the Chickahominy
and came within threatening distance Of
the capital, we looked upon our slender |
forces and deliberated anxiously. Then
the proposition Of Lee was to let him
lead an army and turn the flank and rear
of the enemy and break up his campaign. |
The seven days battle was fought, and
how well the campaign was broken up is
in the memory Of all.
Mr.. Davis, in refuting the charge
against General Lee that his eagerness
for military fame dictated his invasion of
PENNSYLVANIA, said, the enemy had been
a force which, if left alone
to advance upon us, would overwhelm
our capital by force Of numbers. Our
only chance was TO attack that enemy,
force him to the defense of his own cap
ital, and thus gain time for the increase
Of our own forces Whatever may have
Deen the disasters Of that campaign, its
purpose was effected. But il was not
he purpose of the speaker to review the /
military campaigns Of General Lee. of
he man himself how should he speak2 /
aid Mr.. Davis: He was my friend. His /
moral qualities rose equal to his genius.
lis mind was always intent upon duty. |
lie was selfcontrolled 10 that degree |
hat many thought him cold He was
ender and afectionate, and susceptible.
Ie had a warm heart for the widow and
rphan, and his wounded comrades. Al
hough conscious Of the inequality Of the
ieans at his command, it was never his
art 10 complain.
When defeated at Petersburg, although
) well aware as any man Of the newt
BE issue, he strove 10 postpone H. de !
ID that " With the army IN the moun-
ins Of Virginia / could carry on this
N for twenty years When General
e surrendered be had expectations r
iich we're not fulfilled. He expected :
) army TO be respected, and to be left /,
possession Of their civil and property =
hts he sleeps nov IN tie land be q