The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-06-05
Lee in Bronze.

The events of the past week may
never again be reproduced in this coun
try. They present a remarkable specta-
Gle. We believe there was no design or
purpose on the part of the Lee Monu-
ment Association to have the unwilling
of the Lee Statue just the day before
the annual celebration of the National
Decoration Day But it so happened,
and in so doing presented phase OF
National life never before seen among
the nationsof the earth 1t was grand
exhibition of the principles of the
American system of government.
In the city of Richmond. Va, once
the famed cipital of the Southern Con
federacy, where for four years the gov
ernmentalheads of the seeding States
laid their plans and mustered their
armies for the accomplishment OF the
political separation of these States from
the Union. there was gathered a remark
able assemblage From all over the
South, and from all parts of the Union,
where Southerners have found homes,
since the late civil war, there were
gathered men and women, to pay the
homage of their loving devotion to the
memory of General Robert E. Lee. the
Christian chieftain of the armies of the
South the grand commander, whose
skill, valor and courageous endurance,
in war and in peace. have commanded
the admiration and elected the applause
of the civilized world. 1t was the last
grand assemblage of the officers and
soldiers who followed their beloved
leader through all the hardships of war.
It has been twenty five years since
with sad and heavy hearts, these brave
men received the last command of their
great captain to return to their homes
and pursue the avocations of peace In
this time the great commander has been
removed from the activities of life: and
now the officers and men who survive,
and who loved him SO well for his great
and noble qualities, assemble to give eA-
preston to their love and devotion, in
celebrating the dedication of monu-
mental stone and enduring bronze which
shall perpetuate the virtues of the great
commander, the Christian gentleman
and the virtuous citizen.
We give an account Of the ceremonies
in another column. Amidst the I'M
bounded enthusiasm. the great rejoicing
and the exaltation of feeling which ami
mated the great assemblage which met
ioI 10 OF Ia a ra
was not single sentiment Of disloyalty
to the Government of the Union as it
stands to-day in it's majestic strength
and moves on in its grand march in the
conouests of peace. There are individu
al cranks everywhere. South and North
East and West, but for these the people
are not responsible, nor do they echo
the sentiments of the masses, and wht Il
ON Thursday of last week that graLd
old veteran, Gen. Joseph +. johnson
whose head has been whitened by eighty
three years of service, pulled the cord
which revealed to the gathered thronas
the features of the beloved Lee annie
the roar of artillery, the rattle of mus
kerry, the wild dash of cf.ya'ry and the
shouts of the multitude, there was only
one feeling. and that was of joy, 80 see
the features of the great captain whom
they loved SO WE'LL true to life, mounted
on the familiar form of his old war horse
in enduring bronze and resting upon
a handsome granite column, all erected
by the unselfish love of the women OF
%oc i.,1 fNff haI q
of the people of the Southland. and te
point his great virtues and heroic life tt
those who shall come after. Not a dis
loyal pulsation moved that vast crowd
nor disturbed the feeling Of love and de
votion which had called it together.
The other side Of the picture. which
we would hold up before our readers, is
the gathered multitude who, the day If
ter the grand assembly at Richmond
met at the National Cemeteries all ovel
the country. South as well as North, tt
renew their evidences of love for the
brave men who gave up their lives IL
defense of their country, and to strev
with freshly gathered flowers the graves
where the dust of the noble defenders O.
their country's cause sleep in rest and
peace. In this act of devotion to the
memories of their heroic dead, and OF
love for those who in life were dear tf
them. and whose noble deeds they love
to chant in hymns of praise. there was
not thought or feeling in any commu
nifty of any part of the late Confedela
L. a., "A, ri, l,a lam n
their demonstration or deny the right
eous duty of their patriotic devotion.
And thus is presented the most re
markable spectacle the world has evel
seen-Of citizens and soldiers of the two
sections of common country who only
quarter of a century ago were engaged
in the mightiest conflict that has ever
threatened the overthrow OF a nation
meeting in peaceful assemblages on thf
soil consecrated by the blood of true
brave and noble men, to pay the tribute
of their love and admiration to thosf
whose courage and heroism are a common
heritage to common country.
The ranting of an imbecile, nor the
raving of the fanatics, did not disturb
the peace and joy of the gatherings Oh
either side; and while the chief of the
nation and, his advisors left the seat OF
government to attend the ceremonies Of
dedicating monument to the scholar
soldier and Statesman, j. A. Garfield
those who attended the unwilling OF the
bronze statue of Lee. returned i'll peace to
their homes, all alike on either side secure
in the feeling of confidence they had in
a system of government, under whose
protection such remarkable scenes could
take place, and not a single thing dis
turb the peaceful course of events. I'm
der no other government in the world
could such things happen.
The healthy and c6 nservative progress
of the Development Company is the
best evidence of it's final success. There
has been no short cuts in its manage
ment 1t has been proceeded with from
the premise of undoubting confidence.
and has not required any booming or
sensational statements to grow in public
conf ience. Everything connect I'd with
4 ,.oncarya five and sinh