Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-06-04

war horse' who led the First corps OF the
army of Northern Virginia.
Many of his old soldiers are here to-day
and all will greet him with unspeakable
pleasure.
Georgia is here with many of her noble
sons, and with them comes Gordon, whose
name is as familiar to the veterans OF the
grand old army as those of jackson ana
| Lee.
Florida and Alabama are here with their
gallant sons bringing fresh garlands OF
flowers from their beautiful lands to crown
the soldier whose statue we will this day
unveil.
North and South Carolina are here, Vir-
ginia's eldest sisters, with hearts as brave
in 1851 as in 177e, led by Hampton and
Hoke, and others, as loyal to Liberty as
we're the fathers of the Revolution.
OLD Virginia, God bless herl is here
From the Ohio to the ocean her children
are gathered. Every home, every heart is
represented here; not in sorrow, not in an
Ger. AS proud az conquering heroes they
Come to do honor to their older brother,
and to challenge the world in all its ages to
produce o grander man than Robert 4.
Lee.
| Arkansas is here with her gallant sons,
among whom is her distinguished Senator
Berry, who lost limb in our service.
Tennessee, Kentucky, Maryland, and
West Virginia are here, represented by dis
tinpuished officers, true old veterans, and
splendid young troops to honor the memory
of their leader.
Mississippi must not be forgot-she is
here with many representatives. There Is
one who is absent; patriotic mother, q
lone widow-she wears no rude scars OF
war, but she has suffered for uS as none
have suffered since Gethsemane. Crushed
by sorrow and by care she is too inhrm to
attempt the long journey, but in heart she
is with us, Could she have come these
brave men would have welcomed her with
filial affection, and this vast assembly would
be complete.
There is one other of whom word must
be spoken, the Oldest of our generals now
living-the classmate of Lee. They gradu.
ated together; together began the soldiers
proud and perilous life; together fought the
battles of their country before the birth OF
the Confederacy; together they followed the
fortunes of their native State; together they
obtain the highest military rank in our
army; one has been taken to whom the
honor will be granted of lifting the veil and
introducing to the world the heroic statue
of hisJife-long friend. We welcome Gen.
Joseph E. Johnston to-day, and all unite in
the prayer that his life may yet be spared
for years to come in the land he loves and
has served so faithfully.
I do not mention all. I am surrounded
by the representatives from every State in
this Union, who have come with loyal hearts
to do honor to the memory of him who is
honored by the civilized world for his great
genius and the purity of his character, and
of whom all true Americans should be
proud.
1t is not my purpose nor my duty to make
a speech, but am simply to introduce to
you the presiding officer. He is fifty chosen,
one of the friends and companions of Lee,
and one of his most distinguished generals
l-one who has never been false to friend or
foe, and whose heart has never had throb
disloyal to Virginia or the South.
| 1t gives me pleasure to introduce to you
, Gen. Jubal A. Early, of Virginia.
GEN. EARLY.
The Governor spoke with fine effect and
, each mention of the names OF the Confeder-
ate Generals and of Mrs. Davis was heartily
annlauded. When Gen. Early arose the
vast audience cheered, old veterans waved
their hats and ladies their handkerchiefs.
} There was great confusion. Everybody
wanted to see the General, and thousands of
voices could be heard asking the people in
front of them to sit down or calling on some
one to take down an umbrella. Gen. Early
, waved his hand toward the throng of people
and said: "Slence, gentlemen. Rev. DIR.
bfinnigerode will now lead in prayer"
THE PRAYER.
Dr. Minnigerode took his stand by the
:, side of Gen. Early aud read his prayer, as
follows:
o Lord, orr Heavenly Father, the High
and Mighty Ruler of the universe, who dost
F from Thy throne behold all the dwellers
upon earth, we are gathered together be
fore Thee to attest in all humility Oar love
and admiration for our great and uo.le
leader. It is right and proper to cherish
and perpetuate to late generations the
memory of the good and great, whose "a
bors all through life and through the great
r trials of our commoa country have been to
us blessing and glory. Most gracious
God, whose mercy ia OYER all Thy works,
Thou hast blessed our efforts (begun in
loyalty and love by few in our midst, but
whose appeals were responded to by the
) universal and enthusiastic approval of our
people, 80 that now there stands before us
the consumm alton of peoples gratitude,
the monument to this grand and noble and
|
his statue and show it forth to the world
and the gaze of future generations, we
would humbly pray for Thy blessing upon
it: we would consecrate it in Thy name and
) offer it as peoples tbank-offering to Thee,
our Heavenly Father; yes, we thank Thee
and bless Thy holy name not only for the
favor which has watched over our work of
love. but above all that Thou, the giver OF
every good and perfect gift, in Thy gracious
providence hast bestowed upon us the great.
est of human gifts in raising among us and
for US man SO true, SO noble, so unselfish,
so gifted, and of such self.sacrificing hero
ism. All honor and glory be unto Thee,
:, 0. Lord, that Thou hast honored cur land
ia the gift of Rob't E. Leel Aud we would
present this monument to the whole world
to preserve in the hearts of all good men
/ and for all time the memory of one whom
g even his enemies honor and to whom we
can look up as a shining light in all things
that make meh good and great, and who in
: bis noble deeds and Christian spirit has
j proved himself faithful and true to God and
man. But, OIL Father Of Mercies, we most
humbly and prayerfully beseech Thee tc
j bless that noble example to those among
whom he lived and labored and suffered, a
+ household blessing in every home in Virgin,
| ia and the South! May his memory be hal
lowed to what we may call his people! May
it be and remain and grow more and more
? an influence for good in all that is true and
honest and just and pure and lovely and Of
o good report, every virtue, every praise, as
indeed it was the great prayer and effort
Q of his heart to his dying day, in token Of
2 which when the sword was sheathed he
consecrated the last years of his life to the
noble work of using all his God given power
and influence to the training, education,
g aud elevation of the young who are the
hope of the Countrywide noblest work for
q the nobest Il men. On! may his name,
his example, his teaching be the heirloom OF
his glorious life, and his influence in all our
hearts give undying value to the monument
which we now uuveil in the name of the
, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, whose is the
kingdom, AID the power, and the glory tor
ever and ever. Amen.
THE ORAToR pRESENpET,