The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-01-20
would say on the occasion would be like
apples of gold In pictures of silver.

Mayor Kelley said:
l have been asked, ladies' and gentlemen,
to discharge the formal though scarce needed
service of closing with some farewell words
this impressive albeit impromptu ceremony.
To every heart in this sssemblage must
spring the question that knocks for utter
ance at mine, What need can there be now
and here-if, indeed, there evermore be
nted-for words of praise OF that consum-
mate character whose birth, nine and sixty
years ago, we are here to honor-whose
death taught us that
The cease OF majesty
Dies not alone; but, ike gulf, doth draw
What's near 1t with IT.?
When genius, profound and subtle, de-
votes itself to the mere mimicry OF noble
nature, and in its brief stage.hour assumes
the
GARB OF GREATNESS
and wears it Worthily, we stand uncovered
in its presence, yielding the tribute Of tu-
multuous applause, or the deeper homage of
reVerent, absorbed, and silent praise. But
here was no counterfeit of kipgliness, but
the verg form and essence, the substance and
the spirit Of such
ASSURED MAJESTY .
as for the encouragement of effort and the
despair of emulation rarely comes upon the
earth-such moderation in triumph, such
fortitude In disaster, such self denial in con.
quest, such splendid patience In delay, such
courage, and skill, and wisdom, and mod
esty, aud truth. and sovereign dignity |!
What fitting things can or any man say Of
Lee' [Applause]
When the best men die, the wisest and
werthiest, the utmost license Of affection is
strained when we affirm that in their lives
were ap:ly illustrated the courage and kind
iiness, the wisdom and the worth, which are
the cbiefjewels of character. But rho is there
here who recalls that gloomy October day,
FIVE years ago, which brought the sad knell
of Lees death from the sighirg mountains
that guarded his home; who does not remeE--
Der how bis heart sWeled with the feeling
that it was not type Of chivalry, and manli-
ness, and virtue tnat had fallen, but that
cuTALRy ITSELF
was dead, and honor, and patriotism, and
faith. and heroism were dead-all lying dead
in that compacted clay which once was
Robert Lee?
Who does not remember how. amid his
tears, the thought, unbidden, came:
sRenown and grace are dead.
The WING OF lite is drawn. and the mere caSk
Is left the vaults 10 Drag OFF,
In that hour the General Assembly invoked
the Governor to proclaim day Of mourn
ing; in that hour it dispatched its repre-
ser,atires to attend the closed coffin and the
omen tomb, and to ask in Virginia's name
that the dust OF her immortal son might be
committed 10 her hands that In this. her cap
ital. it might repose forever.
And so, doubt not, it yet shall be; and
from the free offerings of generous people
there shall arise in enduring brorze, as his
distinguished lieutenant.
OUR GALLANT GOVERNOR,
to-day has prophesied, a monument to bis
name not unworthy the companionship OF
that which in yonder quare perpetuates the
fame of his fathers fastest friend. And
people will come from every land to
view that serene, majestic face,-eVen
they who fought him in life-and will bring
their children to gaze upon the moulded
bronze and drink high inspiration as they
contemplate the noble lineament of him
whose deeds were so great end whose life so
lofty that the realms of earth richest in fame
cannot afford to renounce their heritage ia
the life and deeds of Lee. [Great applause.
The exercises were closed with prayer,
offered by Rev DR.. j. William Jones, author
of the /" Personal "reminiscences of General
r. E. Lee" who was chaplain in the army
and after the war resided at Lexington, anc
was Lees neighbor and trusted friend.
Military.
N