The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1895-01-21

odlN NFcHtIdl Lee
upon a previous occasion when | was
honored with an invitation similar to the
one which brings me before you this after
noon. 1 failed to perceive how l could ae-
ccpt. because of my blood relationship to
the soldier whose natal day it was proposed
to celebrate. But again being the recipient
= the kindness of the Virginia Society. on
lection I became convinced chat the char
hr. services. genius and fame OF nero
BOT walled by family hcarthstones OF
by the lines OF his native state, or
~l.l ~ tsc limits et hi- country.
bong 10 the whole creation and the
! regions beyond
MS afternoon we meet to add another
me TO the monument Georgians and Viz
lia-Coorgians have been annually erect
ms in their hearts, TO Robert Edward Lee,
whose renown has reached all parts OF the
habitable globe. The career of General Lee
grows greater I'm proportion to the strength
OF the light which is thrown upon its Won
deriul parts until in elevation it has pass
ed beyond the shadow of hostile criticism
and rests on as secure a foundation as the
LOFTY mountains, uphcavod into the SKY,
and belongs in whole 10 us. Today, as We
east a retrospective glance over the thirty
wears since armies cOntcnded on fierce
fought fields and recall the history of the
campaigns of the great commanders, the
s1uthcrner has no feeling OF humiliation,
or tho courage Of their soldiers.
''rhc good and mighty Of departed ages,
SANG Shelley, are in their graves, but they
leave hope, or love, or truth, or liberty,
whose forms their mighty spirits could
conceive to be 4 rule and law to aSes That
survive
Il am requested TO present for your con-
s!deratlon few salient points which marK-
ga the pure life and the unblemished eAar-
aeter of a warrior whose hand during the
late war graspcd a mighty lever, cohttolled
the movements of thousands of armed men
whose deeds are now the proud inheritance
OF their surviving comrades. 1t IS appfo-
pirate that Georgia, 50 many OF whose SOL
diors followed the son OF Henry Lee with
fortitude which no reverse could shake OF
disaster daunt, should make the day Of ms
birth an annual holiday in which she can
jCin with Virginia II singing praises 10 me
matchless conduct of the man.
ROBERT y. Lee was but eleven years old
when his father de-, but his mother proved
equal TO all the duties which then deVoiVed
upon her and his nobility Of character and
early inspirations of religion and morality
were the result of her tender soleitude anu
watchful care. He was born January ~
1907 George Washington was born IN the
same county seveaty-iive years before Lee
ana their boyhood was similar. both w.
earnest grave, studious, ahkc IN lhcd NO.
carriage and CoIninahuil9 "l7'i,''' -, en-.
no stain upon the record OF lhe shy - -
,..ors between the date OF his brlh ana me
1ata of his death The conduct of the boy
was admirable. the life Of The man IRE
proachable. the career of the soldier without
blemish. ,r.,,,u,.,,
entering the United States Mlhtary
academy as a cadet in 1923, when e.Sh,een ll
wears old his four years were marked py
close study and military department. p"'
not by single demerit."
General Lee then referred to the Mex
lean war and recited the fact that nearly
every young officer in the army or the
United States afterwards distinguished