The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-01-20
Anniversary OF General II. Il. Lees
Observation-Disclosures Of General JubaI
Early.

Early.
Special telegram to the Dispatch.
LEXINGTON, Va, January 19.-Ths morn
ing the anniversary Of General Lees birth
day was celebrated. General Jubal Early
delivered an address in the chapel of Wash.
ington and Lee University. The military
course of General r. i. Lee was reviewed.
Taking up in succession the campaigns of the
great commander from the unavoidable
disasters in West Virginia to the great
closing scene at Appomattox Court.
house, he showed how mastery were his
plans, and how, without fail, they would
have been successful had resources been at
hand to enable their continuation. He never
failed. His natural line of defence lay on
the Rappahannock and the Rapidan, and the
Pennsylvania campaigns, spoken of so often
by the ignorant rs failures, were grand
and successful diversions, carrying war into
the heart Of the enemy's country and
| rendering him unable to reassume the
aggressive during the year. When, in par
ticular battles-as, for instance, Gettysburg
he was not thoroughly successful it was from
mistake or inability Of subordinates. A com
handing general cannot do all be may plan
but if he has not lieutenants who, with en-
ergy, dispatch, and unhesitatingly and
confdentially, will execute, his plans
are for naught. Jackson's unhesitatine
confidence made him truly Lees right
arm; Longstrect's want of it, if we may
credit Swinton, lost the battle of Gettysburg
When by reyerses in the South and South
| west the Confederacy is virtually reduced tc
Richmond, little string of land along Jane:
river, and the glorious ana and that little
band of eight thousand braves is forced tt
surrender, who stands at AppomattoX Court
house? Is it Grant the victor! Victor ovcl
what! The skeleton, the ghost of an army
How grand was General Lee then To WHOM
can we compare him? History cannot show
| his equal. Those who in the past whose deed:
might seem like his had not to contend
against all the appliances Of modern science
and mechanical skill; and to liken him t.
any one of his opponents would be like com
pairing the Pyramids that tower above TIT
Nile to a pigeon perched on Arrat.
They tell us to forget dead issues. Cal
| true issues ever be dead? We do believe
that people who forget their traditions art
unworthy of the name Of freemen. Ladies
I have faith in you to instill into the rising
generation the memories of the past Upor
you, young friends, who are here in these
walls preparing for life, rests the hope 0
your country. You have the example o
Lee and Jackson more Immediately before
you; profit by them. Comrades, who OF
many field have followed the great cap
tain, l need not tell you to be true. If any b.
renegadcs, let them 60 with the brand 0
infamy upon them. We have sacred dut,
to perform: the tomb of Lee must be caret
for: n monument to him must be erected a
the Confederate capital. We will do it, ant
show to the world that as we loved ant
honored him in life we are true in death, ant
not unworthy to have been the followers o
Robert L. Lee.
A large audience in the chapel received
with much attention the address. Its dcliy
cry occupied about two hours. 1t will b
published in full shortly.