Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1890-05-30
Echoes from Richmond.

Ths GAzETTE's dispatches from Rich
mond yesterday gave full accounts Of the
unwilling ceremonies Of the Lee Monument.
It was slmost dusk when the exercises were
concluded and the procession wac dismissed.
The number of men 10 line wss estimated at
from Is, 600 to 10000 No such assembly Of
ex-Confederate soldiers will ever Re assem-
bled together sgain. North Carolina had
three thcuaand uniformed men in line. with
cut counting the Veteran Associations. The
marked feature OF the occasion We5 the
ovation to Longstreet. It was the most en-.
thusisstic, cave that to FitZ Lee, accorded
to nny general. Il Is understood that though
anxious to be present, he hesitsted, fearing
that political feeling might be against BIN.
He said that day was the proudest OF bis
life. Generals Joe Johnatcn ard Jnbal a.
EARLY rode together, and were greeted with
intense enthusiasm The var flags of the
different commands were accorded as much
enthusiasm as the generals. The bands
PLAYED on the march the Confederate airs
THE Bonnie Blue Flsg," Maryland" and
"D.xie.n which evoked enthusiasm
General Lees daughters Miss Mildred and
Miss Mary, were also tho recipients OF sn
ovation.
When the troops had all been formed
around the monument, Gov. Mckinney,
chairman of the Lac Monument Association,
called the meeting TO order and made q
short sneecb. He esid that the people
gathered around the monument with no en-
nifty against the general government and nc
desire to perpetuate snimositieF, but With
sacred memories OF the dead and OF the lost
cause, which ere unconquersble Ehe feel
| !nes he expressed, he ssid, ere not exception
al. We all revere the memory CT our desc,
end we hsve affection for the Confederacy,
which Ia now dead. This sentiment Is not
at variance with highest sentiment of loys :
! ty aud devotion to our country AID Its gov
ernment. Ha referred to Reagan, Of Texas,
member OF the Davis cabinet, now Ser
ator of the Unlted States, and as loyal Is
any one TO the government, and whom he
was Glad to welcome today. He spoke
also of the presence in the city OF
Lonpstreet. "ihe old wet horse" ofthe Army
of Northern Virginia, sud the men
ton of The pane ELECTED great chee'
log. He also spoke of Gordon OF
Georgia. ard of Hood and Hampton, and
without mentioning her name peid heat
tiful tribute to Mrs. Jefferson Davis, who
he said, BIAS suffered for the South es none
have suffered since Gethsemsne, and wac,
Though unable to be here 10 person, bad
sent word that she was here in heart" He
spoke Of the comradeship between Lee and
Johnston and their mutual confidence and
resnect for each other. O0a Of them had
gone, tina other remains. The name o.
neither was mentioned, however he sald
that while the people of the South are loyal
they will never fail to express their love ioI
these who fell for them. That feeling, be
esd, was unconquernhe.
Rev. DIR. Minnigerodo read prayer III
which he thanked God for euch man as
Lee, and held him up rs an example for the
youth OF Virginia.
General Early, in taking the presiding
officers chair, paid glowing tribute to the
private colder. He sad that silence Ws:
golden on on occasion like the present, anu
asserted thai Lee needed 20 monument e.
cspt to show the love OF the people of the
South for him. In the midst of il &c old
yatersn cried out Turn this way General
we want to soc you bsfore you sit down"
So the General turned his bent end feeble
form around and continued his speech
General Early declined the invitation OF the
crowd to speak futher, and introduced the
orator of the day, Col. Archer Anderson.
The oration delivered by Col. Archer Al
derson was a scholarly address, in every
way appreciative of its subject, aud glowing
| with natural enthusiasm a0d pride in the
great Southern commander, but dgnilied In
it's uttera nces, broad In its views and earn
eat and sincere in IT'D patriotism. Col. An
derson portrayed the mental and moral
characteristics of Lee and the points OF re-
semblance between him and Washington,
whom, he thinks, Lee most have taken for
his model. After brief account OF his
youth and early lifs and hia brilliant ser
| vices in Mexico, the orator described the
painful struggle which tore Ices heart
! when it became necessary for him ITO make
his choice and take his side in an irrepres-
shle con1 Ct" Il wac no partisan passion
| or sectional hate which made him decline
the command OF the United States army in
manifoRt sacrifice of all his peculiarly inter
este, !" hi.t q calm serse OF duty to his Safe lie
| did nos siiahke or underestimate the North.
| He was above the prejudces and tsunis Of
the dag which belitted Northern virtue and
courage. Col. Anderson ske5ched his prin'
| cipsl military operations during the Har,
described the disadvantages under which ne
fought and the heavy odCs OF every kind
against him, critically considered his claims
; to the high military rank which be holds In
the estimation Of the world. and showed
how thoroughly the general verdict 10 sus-
tsined BY calm review and dispasaionato
estimate of his achievements.
In concluding the Colonel ssid THE
army of Northern Virginia ceased TO be re-
cruted it ceased TO be adequately fed. L.
lived for months on les than one-third rs
tions. 1t dwipded tc So, 900 mer, holding &
front OF thirty five miles but over the enc
my it still cast the shadow of ite great name.
Again and again By bold offensive front 1t
arrested the federelmo7ementt to fas'en on its
Communications. At last an irresistible coz
G ntration OF forces broke through its long,
thin line OF battle, trains bearing supplies
were intercepted, and starving army, be-
raised for seven days By incesssnt attacks
on rear and flank, found itself completely
hemmed in by overlooking masses. In the
agony of dissolution now invading that