Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-01-20

REMARKS OF Mr.. PENDLEroN, ofBotetourt
county Va, in the State Senate, on the reso-
luton to purchase Elders portrait of Gen
Lee
''rhc picture which hangs before you is a
life-like representation of the foremost Virgin
ian of this country whose fame is as wide as
civilization, and will be more enduring than
brass. 1t is the work of a young Vlrglnlan ar
tist who served under the banner OF the Great
CaDtain whose features he has SO successfully
reproduced on canvas.
1t would be painting the lily-adding per
filme to the roSe for me to attempt, LII this
presence, to speak in praise of the lofty virtues
and renowned deeds Of Robert r.. Lee. Ii to
have lived life wholly devoted to duty and to
have died the death of an humble Christian
if to have exhibited benign equanlmty IN
PROSPERITY and an unhinching fortitude in ad-
yersity the most cruel; if to have added to the
most brilliant military achievments the most
elevated civic victories if to have attracted
ut once the admiration Of the world and the
most atfectionate devotion of his nelghbors II
to have lived universally honored and died uni
yersally regretted constitute any claim to hu-
man greatness then certainly We may call
Robert +. Lee great
1t was said of Washington, that whilst he
was first in war, first in peace, and first IN the
hearts of his. countrymen, ne was second 10
none in the humble and endearng scenes OF
private life; pious, just humane; temperate
and sincere uniform, lignifed and command,
ing, his example was rs edifying to all around
him as were the effects of that example last
ing. =,
with almost painful consciousness Of the
sacred ground on which | tread in approprlat-
ing to any human being the apt description OF
the transcendent virtues of the Father OF his
Country" I-vcnturc to ask of all candid men,
which one of these words is inapplicable to
Ice?
Does some one ask how can VIC consistently
appropriate the public money to the purchase
of this painting, while the public creditors
,lead in vain for the payment OF their just de-
nlands ? ,
will answer him. The dead have their
claims upon us no less; than the living No
State or nation has ever yet hourished or pros
pcrcd which did not honor and perpetuate the
memory of it's dead heroes Westminster Alb
luy is to England ut once the history OF It's
past and the sure pledge of It's future great
ness. How many young sons Of Virginia have
felt their hearts swelling with a nobler cnthu-
:,i;sm and loftier ambition. as their eyes have
fingered in admiration upon the forms OF the
tnnlers and architects of Virginia's grandeur
moulded in imperishabe bronze her states
men. her aw-givers--her jurists her orators
and her heroes? 1t is, indeed, rather Tor the
living than the dead that great virtues and
great deeds should be thus perpetuated
Sir, we all feel that Virginia has been retro
grading, and upon us and upon those who are
10 come after rs, rests the responsible task OF
restoring her to her pristine glory | am not
one of those who have lost faith in her future
She has noble SONS yet living capable OF making :,
her again great and prosperous II they viii pu5
recognize the duty which is cast upon them ana
faithfully discharge it. Sir, let us study the
lives and emulate the example OF those VINO
made Virginia great i'll former days. Let us
Keen them ever before our eyes. Let US revere
their lives and copy their virtues, and the time
will surely come when Virginia, in the words OF
the great poet of English liberty, will rouse
herself like strong ln9n after sleep, and silak-
inc her invincbe locks, will he as an eagle rals,
inS her mighty YOUTH kindling her undazzled
ewes at the midday beam and unscallng her
sight at the heavenly fountain, while the tl!nor-
Gus birds of her evil destiny, loving the twllight
shall hutter about amazed at what she means
It will be observed that the picture before us
presents General Lee in the dress OF civilian
as citizen of Virginia 1t is in that charac-
ter that most like to contemplate HIM; have
no desire to perpetuatc the animosltles and the
cruel rccollections of the late war. prefer
therefore, to see our great chicttaln clothed IN
his great civic virtues, and desire that all the
senators who shall sit in this chamber shall learn
from the contemplation of that noble counte-
nance wisdom, prudence, fortitrde and justice
TIE VIRGINIA BOUNDARY QUESTION. The
Virginia Senate has passed supplemental bill
for commission to consider the boundary lines
not only of Virginia and Maryland, but between
Tennessee and North Carolina also. Five thous-
and dollars is appropriated to start the COM
mission In the course of the debate 1t was
calculated that the recovery Of disputed terri
tory by Virginia would in taxation much more
than reimburse the State in one year tor any
expense incurred. The Senator from Bland
county (Mr French stated that within the last
twelve months it has been discovered that the
proper line of Virginia in the vicinity OF Bristol
would include some four or five miles now under
the jurisdiction of Tennessee. As for Maryland,
it is claimed that she is in possession OF very
large and valuable area that belongs to Virginia
Should this resolution pass both houses the
commissioners may cxpend portion OF the
money appropriated in supplying the proofs OF
Virginia title to the area now included IN
Maryland which Mr.. Angus Mcdonald procur-
ed in England, and which was destroyed just
after the war closed
TLOUR-Wc have on hand and arc constant
" receiving from the Valley FAMILY
EXTRA and SUPERF1NE FLOUR, which
,,.c oaor fore colo at market prices