Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-01-20
MR. DAVIS ON LEE.
The EX-pRESlDENT ON THE GREAT
CONFEDERATE COMMANDER.
Extracts from EuIogy Delivered in
Richmond and from an Article in
the North American.

"Snirs and Sdilorsof 9,e Confederacy, Coun-
iry7asH and Friends:
Assembled on this sad occasion. with
hearts oppressed with grief that follows the
loss Of him who was our leader on many
bloody battlefield, there is a melancholy
pleasure in the spectacle which is
presented. Hitherto, IN all times, men
have been houored when successful, but
here Is tho case Of one who, amid disaster,
went down to his grave, and those who
were hls companions in misfortune have
assembled 10 honor his memory. 1t is as
much an honor to you who give as to him
who receives, for above the vulgar test of
ment You show yourselves competent to
discriminate between him who enjoys and
him who deserves success.
MY FRIEND.
Robert y. Lee was my associate and
mend N the Military Academy, and we
were friends until the hour of his death.
We were associates and friends when he
was soldier and was a congressman, and
associates and friends when ne led the ar
hies Of the Confederacy and / held civil
office, and, therefore, may claim TO speak
a. one who knew him. In the many sad
scenes aud perilous circumstances through
which We passed together our con-
'r'ences were frequent and full. vet
never was there an occasion on which
thefe was not entire harmony of purpose
Aau accordance as 10 means. III ever there
vas dlheIence Of opinion, II was dissipated
~ discussion and harmony was the result.
lispeat, we never disagreed, and l may
hlu That never IN my life saw in him the
Niehlest tendency to self-seeking. 1t was
Hol ~, 70 make q record, il was not his TO
shlit blame 10 other shoulders; but il was
hls, with au eye fixed on the welfare of his
country, never falterinP, to follow the line
N alty 70 the end. His was the heart
sAa' OIayed every difficulty; his was the
u''Ad mat brought victory out Of defeat.
no WANT OF DASH
He has been charged with want Of
9A'b. wish TO say that never knew Lee
yo'Ane To- attempt anything that man may
aAIe. Ie. An attempt has also been made to
tlIoW cloud on his character because he
g'l lhe army Of the United States to join
II lHt struggle for the liberty of his State.
"H552ut entering into politics, / deem il
ny uutY 70 say one word ia reference TO
tlls charge. Nirginian born, descended
Ioh family illustrious IN the colonial
history =. OF virginia, more illustrious still
N N ueI struggle for independence, and most
,,Ilus'Hous - 10 her recent effort 10 maintain
,.e great principles declared in 1776
E'eh 10y virginia TO the service Of the
yli',d States, he represented her in
We !. Military Academy al West Point.
nt was not educated by the Federal Gov
sII1iuesnt sl1s but'by Virginia. for she paid her
,s ~ snare Tor the support of that institu-
'i9n and was entitled to demand in return
..s services OF her sons. Entering the
NNhy OF the United States, he represented
,hgnla there also, aud nobly performed
ns duty for the Union. Of which Virginia
Wa member. whether we look TO his
r'4yelul services as an engineer or 10 his
1.,..e 1..e notable deeds upon foreign fields OF
.a.He' HE came from Mexico crowned
80 80 honors, covered by brevets. and
sspbyOghlzed, ~ young as he was, as one Of the
O's', oi his country's soldiers.
HIS aoDEsTY.
When Virginia joined the Confeneracy
300 spN the seat Of government was moved To
- ,'aenN0nd Lee was the highest officer
the little army OF Virginia and
promptly .ec0perated in all the move
~. slshs Of the Confederate Government for
~ ~ leienee OF the common country. and
NJ sosh ne was sent TO West Virginia made
sS ~ INJURY as TO bis rank. but continued 10
s,a, under the impression that he was
SIi Ssa an ofieer Of Virginia. aud though hs
Ssna. 20 point OF fact been then appointed
IsneIH by the Confederate Government
hsys n ~. 80 careless OF himself as never to Z
nv. me learned the fact. and only made in |
H. wnen; ordered % another State, I
Sb., deemed II necessary 10 know
Ton would be his relative posi-
VII. towards other officers with
.ya AL remember the disastrous chsractsr !
sb,ebs s, campaign In West Virginia. 70 |