Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1883-06-08
GEN. ROBERT II. LEE.

: n musketry died away mid the Businesses of
the blue hills of Virginia and the cause of
the Southern Confederacy was pronounced
failure.
Nearly twenty years since that splendid
and eloquent figure, quietly and without
stentation, repaired to one of the most pic
Iefuresque and historic valleys of the State
he loved SO fondly and had served faithfully,
and placed his sword, which had never been
sheathed but with honor, upon the. altar of
one Of her proudest institutions of learning.
HIS PRIVATE worth, his public integrity, his
AehrisIian virtues and military talent had
Dracted the admiration Of the world as
hey had charmed and commanded the con-
fidence of his people and the love of his SOL
diers. NoN~ Chem the balance of life which
had rounded into spendor and eloquence by
reason of his virtues, was TO be dedicated to
the growing manhood OF the country, in
preparing them for the great emergencies
with which they would have to contend in
the battle of life.
Twenty-Five years and more since Gen.
Robert E. Lee stood in the convention at
Richmond, Virginia, before the royal robes
of that once proud old Commonwealth had
been soiled by reason of the degeneracy Of
some of her sons, and listened to the sub
Joined words which fell from the trembling
but eloquent lips of Jno. Janey, of Loudoun,
the president Of the convention:
"Sir, we have by the unanimous vote ex-
pressed our convictions that you are this
day, among the living citizens of Virginia,
first in war We pray God most fervently
that you may so conduct the operations
committed to your charge, that it may soon
be said Of you that you are first in peace;
and when that time comes, you will have
earned the still prouder distinction of being
first in the hearts of your countrymen.'
Yesterday your mother, Virginia, placed
her sword in your hand, upon the implied
condition, that we know that you will keep
to tie letter and in spirit, and that You will
draw it only in defense, and that you will
fall with it in your hand rather than the
object for which it was placed there shall
fail"
To which Gen. Lee replied as follows
Profoundly impressed with the solemnity
of the occasion, for which must say was
not prepared, accept the position assigned
me by your partially. would have much
preferred had your choice fallen upon an
ADLER man. Trusting in Almighty God, an
approving conscience and the aid of my
fellow citizens, devote myself to the SER
gce of my native State, in whose behalf
,alone will ever again draw my sword"
| With what toll, patient endurance, de-
ivuted zeal, patriotic ardor and courage, the
noble old soldier guarded and endeavored
to execute the provisions of that sacred
trust-the people of a land who loved him
in life and who have been as faithful TO his
memory as is constant the waves which
come telling their story TO the pebbles OF
the beach, will through thousands of voun'
teer representatives attest their devotion and
gratitude for his long and faithful services
at the ceremonies attending the unyeiling
of a bronze statue to his memory at Licking
ton, Virginia, on the 2Sth of June.
"He saved his country, could not save
mine," are words which fell from the lips
OF the patriotic exile, Kossuth, when with
uncovered head he stood at the tomb Of
Washington. Gen. Lee felt all the anguish
contained in that utterance, and in the deep
est and evidently darkest moments he rose
TO that sublime height of christian faith and
courage and exclaimed, "human virtue ought
at least to be equal to human calamity"
II has been said with much force and
beauty shat suns seem larger at their set
ting"-and OF Gen. Lee it may be said with
truth that no period of his long, eventful
and romantic life was more beautiful and
magnetic than that whilst President of the
College of Washington, now doubly sacred
IS the University Of Lee, at Lexington. yir-
ginia. There midst the quiet atmosphere OF
this nursery of virtue and learning, with a
cheerfulness and silent dignity characters
tic Of the old hero in days OF strife, the
remnant Of life which had again and
again been covered with glory and breveted
with honors ON battle fields, at home and
and abroad, was spent in adjoining and
strengthening the minds and hearts OF the
young men who had gathered around him
10 order that they would be the better able
10 discharge whatever Of private or public
duties might devolye upon them.
Upon this very same spot, In the midst OF
the same classic surroundings, in the leaiy
month Of June, whilst every breeze comes
trembling with the oder of wild flowers, and
laughing streamlets are chanting their I'M
tutored melody along every ravine and down
every hillside, grateful people, after long
years of peace, will erect a lifesize statue
40 his memory. No filter or prouder spot
upon which TO place it-eyery inch aground
hooking memory of some heroic deeds
al struggle In which the virtue of his
military genius was so many times illus.
frated. Every range OF mountains which
interlock their arms and lift their ragged
and towering cliffs into the skies are living
witnesses Of the grandeur and glory of his
mastery campaigns, and every grave of his
brave dead speaks in eloquent silence of
the battles he fought and the victories he
gained.
The preparations for the ceremonies at
tending the unwilling are represented as be.
ing upon an extensive scale. Distinguished
ex.confederates, ex.offlcials and brave boys
will be present from all parts of the South.
Major John w. Daniel. the gifted orator of
Virginia, will deliver the address. Southern
beauty Of graceful and faultless physique,
with eyes softer and more dreamy than
those described by Mahomet to those war.
worn soldier of the Crescent, will be present
TO gladden. and stimulate the proceedings Of
The day. The chivalry of the State OF Viz
GINA, who stand ever ready to guard the
constitutional guarantees of a fraa naonia ,of