The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-02-12
Lees Birthday q Holiday.
(Charlotte Chronicle.l

No apology is needed, no apology
is rendered, for North Carolina max
ing the birthday of such man State
holiday. A land without statues is a
land without memories-a land with
out heroes is a land without history.
No country could evolve such a lofty
specimen of peerless manhood and not
be justly proud of him. He has been
tried by victory and by defeat, but has
never been found wanting. The loom
of time has woven its warp and woof,
but has never in the history of ages
produced better, purer, stronger
texture.
1t is an old song to repeat his vir-
tues, his lack of self-love, his almost
deifed human nature. 1t might be
construed that the pen of a country.
man and an admirer was running wild
with partial delight of the theme.
He was pure man, a good one; and
the most poisoned and revengeful
arrows never made impression or
found lodgment upon his name or
character.
When his statue was unveiled some
months ago at Richmond, one of the
most remarkable, orderly and pathetic
scenes was enacted, that has ever oc-
cured in the tragedy and life of man
kind.
There were no victors flushed and
arbitrary with the peli of pensions.
There were only the followers OF a
cause that had no home or resting
place, save in the memories of those
who had loved and irretrievably lost.
Many houses were opened to the
fullest extent and all -Confederates
were freely invited to come in and
sup.
The house of Mr.. Talbot presented
table loaded with provisions the
entire day, and the old soldiers freely
partook of the generous hospitality.
When the lady of the house marked
the poverty, wounds, and neat, but sim
pie dress of the peusionless veterans
she said with tears streaming down heI
cheeks, ''God bless you, l wish l could
feed you ALL"
A vast throng stood waiting. Ner-
vous, almost paralyzed, and appalled,
they watched the maidens gently draw
the strings that brought the head, bust
the entire figure of the grand com
mander that they had followed to vic
tory, to nutllation and to defeat into
view. Enthusiasm could not be checked
There went forth a shout that shool
the continent. 1t was spontaneous
uncomfortable. The great fountains
of the deeps of pent up affection were
opened up. Strong men wept likt
children and women sobbed silently
and long. One little child gazed will
wonder while its grandfather lifted It
to view his great chieftain. The bab!
wondered. Tears coursed down th'
cheeks of the grandparent and min
gled with his grey beard. He held tht
| Nlllo Will Ou@ al Win tuS otuO "
the other he brushed the hot tears a
best he could.
Most 0: the spectators were poor
disabled. They had scarcely none,
to buy their tickets, none to pay fo
their lodging. They brought thei
scanty fare wrapped in paper or sim
pie cloth and slept where they could
The best of life had already ended
and many of the companions of thei
campaigns had passed over the silen
river.
They merely wished to see the form
of their leader and chieftain befor
they too joined the great majority be
yond. That figure though immovabl
and rigid in marble or bronze, wa
sentient, living, speaking.
1t recalled the life and death, tn
hope and fear, the struggles and dis
asters of four long, eventful, thrillin
years. Can any one with sou
with a heart, with the common hu
manity of man, begrudge the consola
ton Of such love, such a memory