Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-10-20
Rev. Thomas u. Dudley's Remarks,
at the Public Meeting In Baltimore
in Memory of Gen. Lee.


at the Public Meeting In Baltimore
in Memory of Gen. Lee.
Mr.. Dudley said he counted himself happy
that, though almost stranger IN this home OF
his adoption, be was permitted to speak as a
Confederate soldier to Confederate soldiers
gathered about the efhgy OF their leader who
is gone, because he knew that their hearts
beat as his heart. He counted himself happy
that, by the courtesy of the Committee of Ar
rangements, he was permitted to bring bis
little flower to add to the royal wreath of i'm
mortelles; they were gathered to place on the
grave of their father-c -chieftain, who was gone.
Yes, they have buried him to day, brother
soldiers, in his mountain home, meath the
church ho had builded. Perhaps some day q
nation shall demand that his dust shall be
buried near her capital: Perhaps some day
the Richmond be defended will guard the pre-.
cious remains. Let him be buried there-not
on the bill with the Presidents, but bury him
where the boys lie, that when the grand re-
veille sounds they may behold their ohieftain
in their midst. For that grand reveille will
sound, and it is of this that he would speak.
fIe camo not to speak OF him as patriot-for
they had been told by one who knew and loved
him long, who had sat at his feet as bis pupil,
the capacity Of his great heart to take in its
embrace all the land he served. He would not
speak of him as soldier to men who had seen
under his prescient guidance handful chase
thousand who had seen the marvellous circle
of retreat, ever keeping the shield OF his army
between the foe and the city he defended. He
came to speak of him, not as patriot, but as
Christian patriot; not as soldier, but as Christian
soldier Was be Christian? He would relate an
incident as llustrative:-lt was in the beginning
of that long cold winter OF 1862, when tho bat
ties round Richmond had been fought,a and Ma
nassas and Sharpsburg, that the army, weary
of the hard campaign, was camped on those
bleak hills about Winchester. An order came
We can so we'll remember-so sad, and yet ne
cessary to the discipline aud efficiency of the
army. There were no bright trappings nor
glitter OF gold, the only glitter was the fire of
determination in brave mems hearts. But all
would appear in their best. There was a chap
lain who, in obedience, as he believed, to this
order put on the pure white robe OF his office
and went to the review. Doubtless he heard
tho derlsive laugh. the sneering remarks OF
those about him ; but when the command he
marched with passed the great chiet the officers
tell MS that, lifting bis hat, he said ~ sa-
lutte the Church OF God The eye that was
busy inspecting the accoutrements, the arms,
the troops in which he trusted to do the work
he had to do, could see the chaplain's robe.
The commander who sat in the lmmovab'e ma
iesty we can remember so well, bended his un-
covered head to salute the Church OF the God
he served. II was when the boom OF the occa-
sional Gun could be heard in Richmond. Sew
en- Pines had been fought and won. The Sew,
en- Days fight had not yet begun. lo cham.
ber in the beleaguered city an aged minister OF
God lay dying. Could our eyes have psnetra,
ted the recesses Of that chamber IN the close or
one afternoon, We should have seen the hero
whom VIC mourn, booted and spurred, iresh
from his victorious legions: kneeling by the
bedside of the dying Bishop to receive his
blessing, that he might certify him by this
sign of the favor and goodness OF the God ne
served. We should have heard the words OF
blessing. Robert. Robert'--for he had held
him in his arms 10 infancy-"stand up tor our
country and God will bless you" Was he
Christian Thus soldiers, he saluted, with
lifted hand and bended knee, and humble
heart, the Church of God. Remember 1t,
not only patriot, soldier, but Christian. There
fore We are comiorteh. because the light
that streams from one open tomb, makes bright
all the darkness of the place whittier he Is
gone. The sad expression, we can remember
so we'll, is gone from his face now, Tor the bur
den OF the Lost Cause no more oppresses bis
heart; because he has been soldier in the
cause that can never be lost. 1t no more
grieves him that the conquered banner is folded
and weary, for he has fought bravely and well
under the banner that floats triumphant from
the hattemeuts of heaven, and shall float tor
ever
There is left to US, brother soldiers, mono
than the mournful privilege to tell over 10 our
hearts, and to our children, the battles, sleges,
fotunes he had passed. There is lett to US the
grand example of Gods faithful servant, that
We may follow. He being dead, yet speaketh, =,
bidding you, his soldiers, to enlist under this
Christian banner. This is his command. You
did never fail to follow where he led; you dld
never finch or fater to do his bidding. This
is the command be speaks: Enlist and battle
for God and Christ, so that, when our end
shall come, we, too, like him, may ever wrap
the drapery of our couch about US, and lay US
down, not to dreams, but to the eternal reall
ties which eye hath not seen nor car heard,
dor hath entered into the heart OF man.
but which God hath prepared tor them
that love Him-that We too, may hear, as we
trust he has heard, the greeting:
Soldier of Christ. we'll done
kest from thy loved employ!
Thy battles DER, thy victory won
Enter thy Masters Joy.
WASHINGTON ITEMS. esterday an acci.
dent occurred in the wine and liquor establish