Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-06-04
TRIBUTE 70 A GRAND CHARACTER
CITY BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED.
The Orator, Col. Archer Anderson, present
ed by General Early.
UNWILLING OF THE STATUE.


ed by General Early.
UNWILLING OF THE STATUE.
Last Thursday, May Goth, on which the
equestrian statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee
was unveiled in Richmond, marks an ever
memorable epoch in the history not only of
that historic City and of Virginia, but of
the whole South, for on that day was wit
messed one of the grandest demonstrations
of devoted love and affection ever shown
for one of the grandest and noblest charac
tiers that ever lived in "all the tide of time"
Such universal and sincere, heartfelt trib-
ute of honor and affection was never before
given to any man, and he was eminenily
worthy of it, for his character combined all
the virtues that adorp human nature. His
was rounded and even-balanced charac-
ter, and stake him for all in all, we meier
shall look upon his like again." for, verify,
he was one 'upon whom every god did
seem to set his seal to give the world assur-
anceof a man."
1t required no monumental granite or
bronze to perpetuate his name and fame,
in the hearts of the people statue to his
memory more enduring than marble or
bronze, and more perfect than the highest
art could fashion. Whilst time will darken
the color of the bronze statue,it will bright
en- the lustre of the fame of his noble char
acter which will be better appreciated and
more admired with the lapse of years and
ages.
He was simple as a child, tender as a
woman, and yet, when the occasion requir-
ed, he had nerves as strong as those of the
Nemean lion. Whilst he possessed an equa-
nimity of temper which rendered him calm
and serene under the most trying circum-
stances, yet he was on occasion bold to the
verge of temerity.
1t was the stainless purity of his life, the
moral sublimity of his character, more than
his brilliant military achievements, that SO
endeared him to the hearts of the people.
Though he was one of the ablest and
most accomplished military commanders
and heroes the world ever saw, it is not
chiefly rs the great military chieftain that
he is so much admired and so dearly below
ed, but as the man and citizen who possess
ed in pre-eminent degree the highest vir-
tues that adorn the patriot, the gentleman,
and the christian. AS the military chief
tain, he is greatly admired; as the noble
man and patriotic, christian citizen, he is
dearly beloved and enshrined in the hearts
of the people.
1t was the love more than the admiration
of the people that caused them to come to
Richmond last when from all parts of the
South to pay loving and heartfelt tribute
to the memory of Robert E. Lee at the un-
yelling of the equestrian statue erected in
his honor.
For three days preceding that of the I'M
yelling, the Railroad trains from every di-
Richmond to witness the ceremonies attend
ing the unwilling of thes tatue of r. E. Lee.
These visitors, which, in the aggregate,
it is said, amounted to near a hundred
thousand, were composed of distinguished
military commanders, ex- Confederate vete-
ran soldiers, many of them maimed-some
having lost an arm and others leg-citi-
zens and their wives, sons, and daughters.
On reaching Richmond they found that
City richly, deliberately, tastefully, and
beautifully decorated to degree that sur
passed not only their expectations, but any
thing of the kind that had ever been done
in this country. The City thus decorated,
with the colors of the State, Confederate,
aud United States flags displayed in count.
less numbers, side by side, the procession
of many thousands, with thousands of war.
worn aud battle-scarred veterans, volunteer
companies in vast numbers. citizens, sons
of Confederate soldiers, &C., with many
bands of music, the procession several miles
long, with the sidewalks crowded with
numbers of spectators, with the welkin
ringing with shouts and cheers, and the
scented q scene which none who witnessed
it can ever forget and which no tongue or
pen can adequately describe. If it is i'm
possible to describe this physical scene how
much more so to describe the untrollabka
emotions which surged tempestuously in
the swelling bosoms of the old veteran SOL
diers, filing their eyes with tears, though
unused to weep, especially at the moment
when the veil was Withdrawn and the fig
ure of Lee was revealed, and they saw him
l.. l. 1 s-H4
hand as though he we're acknowledging the
honor they we're paying hint having
been the purpose of the Artist, Mercie,
who fashioned the statue, to represent him
as riding along the lines of his army and
acknowledging the ovation given him by
his gallant and devoted troops.
We would like to dwell upon this theme,
but want of space prevents, as we wish to
give the order of the procession, and to no.
tice briefly the ceremonies attending the
nnveilng for which we are indebted to the
U. s. Press Association.
THE PROCESSION.
The head of the procession formed on
Broad street, facing north, the Left resting
on Adams street. First came squad OF
mounted police, then the Stonewall band,
and following was the Chief Marshal, ex-
Governor Fitzhugh Lee, wearing broad
sash as his badge of Office; his chief of staff,
Gen. J. r. Cooke, wearing white sash,
and the chief marshals aides, among whom
were Senator Bate, of Tennessee; Senate,
Colquitt, of Georgia; Senator Hampton, o;
Sout, Carolin Z; Senator R .nsom, of North
Carolina Colonel Basil W. Duke, of Ken
lucky; General Eppa Hutton, OF VlrRini
ex Governor Scales. Of Norh Carolina;
Genaral joe Wheeler, of Alabama, and