Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-02-24

4 tnem ID thelr peculiar ana lrreparaole befeafe-
ment.
a copy. Teste:
JNO L. CAMPBELL,
CLERK Of Tie Faculty.
| An intimate association with Gen.
| Lee in the Fifty-first Congress and as
mem bers of the board of trustees of
Washington and Lee University at Lex
ington, Va, and in private life enabled
me to form a just estimate of his char
D6ad of those personal qualities of
cart that made him beloved
eally knew him. While they
well expressed in the fore
Hdte, | may add from my own
N~Eiou brief summary of his no
P6le character. His mind was eminent
ly practical and arrived at it's cOnclu-
sionS more from an unerring instinct of
justice and common sense than through
the exacting processes of logic. His
Judgment was rarely at fault, for his
intellect was not swerved by passion or
prejudice, but was held in perfect equi-
poise to receive the truth on both sides
of every question. His Difference to
the opinions of others and his caution
in seeking the views of those on whose
discretion he relied suggested to some
who did mot know him that he was
hesitating in temperament. This was
not true; he sought all the light posi-
BILE on every subject patiently and earn
estly, and when he arrived at his con
clusion no man adhered to it more tena-
ciOusly or enforced it more earnestly
As speaker Gen. Lee possessed
many of the attributes of the orator, a
gift inherited from his grandfather,
Light Horse Harry Lee. He was grace
full in delivery, persuasive in manner,
and forcible in argument.
His diction was pure, unpretentious,
and simple. His speeches were often
embellished with references to ancient
and modern history and mythology,
with which he seemed to be very famil-
lar.
Doubtfulness, l believe, was the most
prominent trait of his character. 1t
was the star by which his life was guild
ed. Once persuaded that certain
measure or a certain line of policy was
right and he was unflinchingly firm in
its support No burden was too heavy,
no privation too severe, if only they
were borne along the path of duty.
He eXemplified in his life the noble
utterance of his distinguished father,
DUTY is the sublimest word in the
English language"
not partisan, and he firmly believed
that the supremacy of his party was
necessary for the good of the country
and the welfare of the people. His pa
triotism was exalted, and his faith in
the ultimate triumph of the Right nev-
er wavered.
His manly appearance, his gracious
but dignified manner, his courtly bear
ing and pleasing conversation marked
him as a gentleman of the ''Old school, ,"
as one of Natures noblemen.
Any sketch of Gen. Lee would indeed
be imperfect that failed to mention his
love for little children, and his friends
will never fail to recall fhe tender in
terest he always manifested in the chill
dren of their families, especially in the
youngest.
His life, Mr.. Speaker, was truly no
BILE one. 1t was on the highest plane.
, His character had no spot or blemish
upon it that sweet charity would now
consign to oblivion, but it was robust,
well-rounded, and symmetrical, open
as day. His ambition was not to attain,
but to deserve the praise of the good
and that higher benediction, to be pro-
nounced by the final judge of the world,
"Well done, good and faithful servant;
enter thou into the joys of thy Lord
He was an earnest believer in the
Christian faith The abstruse doctrines
of the church formed no part of his
creed. His faith was in the Christ, the
Saviour of mankind; faith which il
lumined his pathway in life, Tightening
his burdens, exalting his nature and
which sustained him without fear when
he met the last enemy of the race as he
walked through 1.-The valley of the
shadow of DEATH 1t was the faith of a
little child