The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-11-17
.aspeech Of E1.President Davis.

Mr.. Davis made the following eloquent speech
As Mr.. Davis arose to walk to the stand ev.
cry person in the house rose to his feet, and
there followed such storm of applause as
seemed to shake the very foundations of the
building, while cheer upon cheer was echoed
from the throats of veterans saluting one whom
they delighted to honor.
Mr. Davis spoke at length, and with his ac-
customed thrilling, moving eloquence;. We
shall not attempt, at the late hour at which we
write, to give full report of his address.
He addressed his hearers as SOLDIERS and
sailors of the Confederacy, comrades and
friends :" Assembled on this sad occasion, with
hearts oppressed with the grief that follows the
loss of him who was our leader on many a
bloody battlefield pleasing though melan-
choly spectacle is presented. Hitherto, and in
all times, men have been honored when sue
cessful but here is the case of one who, amid
disaster, went down to his grave and those who
were his companions in misfortune have assem-
bled to honor his memory. 1t is as much an
honor to you who give as to him who receives,
for above the vulgar test of merit you show
yourselves competent to discriminate between
him who enjoys and he who deserves success.
Robert E. Lee was my associate and friend
in the military academy, and we were associates
and friends when he was soldier and con-
gresham and associates and friends when he
| led the armies of the Confederacy and presi-
ded in its Cabinet. We passed through many
sad scenes together, but cannot remember
that there was ever aught but perfect harmony
between u.s. If ever there was difference of
opinion it was dissipated by discussion, and
harmony was the result. I repeat ace never
disagreed, and may add that never in my
life saw in him the slightest tendency 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 well
fare 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" :"
1 wish to say that l never knew Lee to falter to
attempt anything ever man could dare. An
attempt has also been made to throw 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 trenching at
all upon politics, I deem it my duty to say one
word in reference to this charge. Virginian
born, descended from q family illustrious in
Virginia's annals, given by Virginia to the SER
vice of the United States, he represented her
in the Military Academy at West Point. He
was not educated by the Federal Government,
but by Virginia; for she paid her full share for
the support of that institution, and was enti-
tied 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 conspic-
nous, battling for his native State as much as
for the Union. He came from Mexico crowned
with honors, covered by brevets, and recognized,
young as he was, as one of the noblest 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
in Baltimore, the Cuban Junta in New York
selected him to be their leader in the struggle
for the independence of their native country.
They were anxious to secure his services and
offered him every temptation that ambition
could desire. He thought the matter over, and,
I remember, came to Washington to consult me
as to what he should do, and when / began to
discuss the complications which might arise
from his acceptance of the trust he gently re-
buked me, saying this was not the line upon
which he wished my advice, the simple ques-
ton was "Whether it aeas right or not" He
had been educated by the United States, and
felt wrong to accept place in the army of
foreingn power. Such was his extreme delica-
cy, such was the nice sense of honor of the
gallant gentleman whose death we deplore.
But when Virginia withdrew-the State to
whom he owed his first and last allegiance
the same nice sense of honor led him to draw
his sword and throw it in the scale for good or
for evil. Pardon me for this brief defence OF
my illustriou5 friend.
When Virginia joined the Confederacy,
Robert Lee, the highest officer in the little army
of Virginia, came to Richmond, and not paus-
ing to inquire what would be his rank in the
service of the Confederacy, went to Western
Virginia under the belief that he was still an
officer of the State. He came back, carrying
the heavy weight of defeat and unappreciated
by the people whom he served for they could
not know, rs knew, that if his plans and or
ders had been carried out the result would have
been victory rather than retreat. You did not
know, nor / would not have known it, had he
not breathed it in my ear only at my earnest
request, and begging that nothing be said about
it. The clamor which then arose followed him
when he went to South Carolina, so that it be-
came necessary on his going to South Carolina
to write letter to the Governor of that State,
telling him what manner of man he was. Yet,
through all this, with magnanimity rarely
equaled, he stood in silence, without defending
himself or allowing others to defend him, tor he
was unwilling to offend any one who was wear
ing sword and striking blows for the Confcd-
Mr.. Davis then spoke of the straights 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 of Richmond,
while the enemy was driven far from the city.
The speaker referred also to the circumstances
attending General Lees crossing the Potomac
and the march into Pennsylvania. He MIR.
Davis) assumed the responsibility for that
movement The enemy had long been concen-
trating his force and it was evident that II they
continued their steady progress the Contederacy
would be overwhelmed. Our only hope was TO
drive them to the defence of their own capital,
we being enabled in the meantime to reinforce