The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-07-11
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SPEECH OF GENERAL W. II. F. LEE
Ipenorfed FOR the Baltimore SUM-


has the path OF duty been the way to glory
Tt had not" he said, been always way
soft TO the tread and surrounded with fiow-
ers. Often it had led over rugged coun-
try, across sharp rocks and weary places.
and sometimes down through the mlre OF
despair and into the quicksands OF defeat,
But ever it led to glory, that despite an
falsehood and misrepresentation would
shine brighter as time went on. The clouds
NAV cover the sky for q time, but the sun
OF truth still shines, and its beams will seek
every crack and creyice in the rock OF ages
and make all things plain. Applause
The day will come when men will wonder
that even for time such thin, watery ''apor
should have clouded so much OF the truth.
"What though the battle was lost? All
was not lost. The proud recollection OF
having defended the liberty of CIR country
and the safety of our fresides is imperisha-
BILE. On such occasions as this solemn
pleasure comes hand-in-hand with high
duty. We feel that while we survive it is
our duty to publish to the world the virtues
OF the men at whose graves we mourn
They did not die in vain. The blood OF
the brave SENDS says Scott, "a roaring
voice through all time Who can contem-
plate the sacrifice these men. made! Who
Cln look UPON tiIcSC SllCub t1Oullto, W hSthNA
lonely by the roadside where they fell on
the march, or thick like forest-trees on the
battle fields they never yielded, OF in city
cemeteries, crowned with flowers, the en-
biems of woman's love and devotion, and
not feel, while tears come to the eye, the
heart grow stronger for the sight:
"Who were those men? Catch a sight OF
their line of battle; listen to that cheer. See
the onset with which they fall upon the foe.
Let some such memories as these qulVer IN
the heart and say, Has this blood been
shed in vain! Not in vain. for 1t has
shown that no people, however small i'll
numbers and weak in resources, can be
overcome until their rivers redden with the
blood of the slain, and there is not left 4
corporars guard to carry on the fight. They
did not die in vain, for truthful history will
recount such examples of patriotism, SELF
sacrifice, and daring rs will make its pages
that tell OF these heroes lessons OF pubic
virtue, and their lives the textbooks where
in honor may be learned. Even the record
of the heroes OF the Pagan age is to-day the
textbook OF Christian schools.
"Such blood is never shed in vain, unless
all Grecian vaor and Roman prowess shall
be held for naught; unless Poland's exam
Dle speaks no more; unless the Slens OF
Scotland, full Of self-sacriticc, or the green
bogs OF Ireland, where men died for free
dom, have ceased to nerve men to deeds OF
virtue and OF daring, the blood OF these
men whose graves we decorate has not been
shed in vain. By their manly sacrifices
civilization has been purified and freedom
advanced to higher love among men.
"Thc time will come when those who
fought us in the field will say that this blood
| 4 ,,o1, i, fbnir Ipfnnpp ami
defence of constitutional liberty, as well rs
for our dear old land [applausel, and they
will ioin with us in appreciation OF the VI
Curious sacrifices made by the gallant men
whose graves to-day we strew with flowers.
It was pleasure" he said, "to stand by
the graves Of departed friends, to remember
the days that are gone"
He drew lively picture OF the men in
whose honor this assemblage gathered, from
the beardless boy whose slight hands. inca
pable OF graSping a musket, yet held and
sounded the bugle at the head OF the GAL
liant charge or beat upon the drum his own
funeral march, to the gray-headed sire who
would not let his sons 70 10 battle without
him. He pictured many OF the war scenes.
There were myriad deaths, butno time for
mourning them. But these tender ties
were not severed, and now in peace we may
give utterance to our pent-up sorrow. AS
The press spread the intelligence through
the land many sad heart would thank God
that by old Alexandria due honor was paid
their memories; that no greater honor did
Ilion ever TO her heroes pay.
But the past must not claim all OUR heart.
The path Of duty still lies before US. Our
country claims oCr allegiance. Virginia
still livcs. Our every thought should be
given to her honor and prosperity. 1t is
! not manly 10 repinc-not manly to let tie
past crush the present. We must make
Virginia the equal Of the great empire State,
and strive to turn here the tide OF the west
| crn tr:dc-that great river OF gold that fer
| tilted wherever it passed.
| He depicted the position of the State and
| lis advantages, and said we have accepted
the position we occupy, and it now becomes
our duty to show ourselves as good citizens
under the new dispeESatiOn as we claim to
have been patriots in the days that are gone.
Loud applause.]
General Lee then urged the young men Of
Virginia to take a high place among the
sons OF men; 10 be diligent, virtuOus. and
OF high aim and determined purpose. Our
homes are still here.
Though dcsoation has sweep. these lovely plains,
Rise, fcllow-men, our country yet rcmaln<."
Let us be faithful to the memories these
graves awaken. and honor them now, and
through our chillren's children. to their
latest poSterity.
The address concluded amid loud ap-
plause.