The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-05-30
AN |LLUSTR|OUS LEADER.
Unwilling Of an Equestrian Statue
Of Robert E. Lee at
Richmond.
An Immense Conoourse Of People
Present at the Interest,"
ing Ceremonies.
Felicitous Address or Colonel Anderson-
Gen. Joseph e. Johnston Unveils
the Statue-Tho Exercises,

AsAonaONOs so.S Ady AVs-A u0 OlU CdplGdl
of the Confederacy had great celebration
to-day, the unwilling of the statue of Gen.
r. E. Lee being an event that called thous-
ands to Richmond from all parts of the
south, the old soldiers of the Army of
Northern Virginia being largely represent
ed. The weather was clear and beautiful.
At daylight knots of those who were to take
part in the parade began gathering upon
the streets. Confederate camps. military
and civilians continued to arrive. The
country folks poured into the town in an
Gent as well as modern vehicles. Now and
then band Of music started the crowds
cheering by playing ''Bonnie Blue Flag"
Dixie and Maryland, My Maryland"
As some favorite commander was recog-
nlzed by the crowd a yell arose from them,
which was carried along till he halted or
turned off into some side street. As various
commands reached their starting points,
with some familiar officer at the head. cheer
after cheer rent the air. The chief marshal
Early, Johnston and Long received similar
ovations as they moved about from place
to place. The procession started promptly
at noon and was composed of representa-
tives of nearly all the old Confederate regi-
ments in the South. The line of march
WuC NCAAoCAJ OloWucO A6 VAc Culcl Vdlub
OF the Confederacy were recognized, hats
come OH and the old yell came from thous-
ands of threats. #EfF
On arrival at the statue the distinguished
guests were seated. Governor Mckinney
called the assemblage to order. After
man of the meeting. He introduced Col.
Anderson, the orator of the day.
Col. Anderson's address was an eloquent
one, which, while abating no jot of love or
admiration for Lee, was so couched in
words as not to jar upon the sensibilities of
the most ardent unionists. He began with
its monuments, and that the record of the
world always gave it's most devoted admir-
alton to warriors. He sketched in a
mastery way the transcendent qualities
necessarily united in great general, max
ing such an estimate by the world just.
Lee, however, was not merely one of the
greatest captains, but man of absolutely
unblemished Christian life. It was the
singular felicity of Virginia to have pro-
duced two great, stainless military leaders,
Washington and Lee. The orator gave an
elaborate biographical review Of the gen
9, erals 81, life and dwelt upon the painful
eide whether to give his allegiance
to the nation or to his native
state. Finally, in the face of an offer of
command of the Union army he decided
Iudt uuCy CAlleu MIN TO stand by Virginia.
The speaker then sketched Lees campaign
in illustration of his military genius,
touched upon the moderation and good
sense of the north at the close of the strup-
gle, and its happy results; spoke of Lees
subsequent quiet, dignifed life, and closed
with brilliant peroration.
Col. Anderson's address aroused great en-
thusiasm. Gen. Joseph E. johnson then
unveiled the statue amid shouts and the
booming of cannon.
The statue as unveiled is forty feet high
and weighs forty tons. It is cast in eight
pieces, and brought from Paris in three
pieces. The pedestal is twenty-one feet
high, making the total height sixty-one
feet.
The Lee monument is situated at the in
tersection of two broad streets in the fash
lonable residence section. It consists of
white granite pedestal, forty feet high with
Six pedestals for statues of Lees generals,
to pe placed hereafter. Upon the pedes.
tai stands bronz equestrian statue of Lee
upon the battlefield of Gettysburg. While
the figures of both horse and man are in
repose, all theatrical effect being avoided,
of Mercie, the French sculptor.
When the statue was unveiled the crowd
in the vicinity was estimated at 14O,O 600.
Those who participated in the procession
numbered 10000. There were 10000 stran-
gers in the city during the day. Abrilliant
display of fireworks took place tonight,
the most striking features being repre-
sentation of the statue of Lee and pic
lures Of Jefferson Davis and Stonewall
jackson.