Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-01-19
Lee. and Memories of Our Struggle

Lee. and Memories of Our Struggle.
Time brightens rather then dims the
lustre of RoBxRr z. LIES name. As the
PEARS roll on. wider and wider extends the
circle OF bis fame.
It has fallen 10 the lot OF few men to be
% loved in life, or so honored after death;
but no more than his deserts has been ac-
corded him.
He was not only model soldier. but a
model gentleman and model Christian.
It follows that he was modest, considerate
of the feelings of others, and without a
spark OF spite or jot Of jealousy. Other
officers plagued the President for place
and stickied for rank, but no pleading or
remonstrance came from him. He was
content to await the Presidents pleasure
When great power was placed in his
hands he welded it unselHshly. For three
years he bore the burden OF the great re-
eponsibilities Of the chief command.
Think what loads of care he carried He
claimed no credit for his army's victories,
while he was ever ready TO assume blame
for its defeats.
Next to LEE tho people and the soldiers
loved SroNEwALL JACKSON most, but none
of them loved LEE more than JACKSON
loved him; none of them loved JACKSON
more than LEE loved him. This was their
only rivalry. Where else in history do you
zee two great generals making such re-
cord
LEE lived TO be tried by the great test
OF this world-the test OF calamity, OF de-
feat. Any captain can sail his ship when
the gales favor him and many heroes APP
near amid the thunder of the storm, but
when sbipwreck and the long night OF
despair comes then true manhood is put to
proof.
is adversely that proves the man, and
I,Fr was not less majestic when he rode
home from Appomattox or after he be-
came college president at Lexington
than when he stood at the head OF his en-
thusiastic columns and hurled them upon
the enemy at Richmond. at the second
battle of Manassas, at Sharpsburg, at
Fredericksburg. at Charlottesville, at
Gettysburg at the second Cold Harbor,
and at Petersburg.
q title Of knighthood TO have been one of
Lxr's men; one of LEES fighting men,
whether as an humble private in the
ranks or as all officer, with sword in hand
md gold braid on sleeve. And yet it may
happen, if it has not happened. that un-
worthy claimants for this honor will arise,
md that the veteran of four years ser
vice will be showed aside by some four
weeks man.
This anniversary of the birth of LEE will
be appropriately celebrated in Richmond
and in many other places in Virginia and
farther South, in Georgia especially, and
an some cities north of the Potomac river,
Everywhere the orator of the day may
honestly point to LEXIS life as life to be
emulated.
In year from now we trust the Private
Soldiers aud Sailors monument on Libby
Hill will be completed. LEE has his monu
ment here, SToNIwALL JACKSON has his
and we are now soon TO finish that lofty
granite column on which will stand {
bronze figure of robust young man, will
musket In hand, blanket strapped from
shoulder TO hip. and canteen and cartouch
box by his side. the figure of an infantry
man ready tor the march, watching fol
the enemy and ready for the fray. 1t viii
not be Virginia monument, but Con-
federate monument. wherein there will be
q stone for each State of the Confederacy.
Next we must bury President DAVIS in
Hollywood and build him asuitable monu.
ment In this city. Till then our duty tC
the dead will not have been done.