The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-01-21
LOST CAUSES LOVED LEADER
ALL DIXIE AGAIN HONORs THE NO.
BILE LIE.

Ex-Gov. william r. Cameron of Nir-
Einia Pays an Eloquent Tribute 10
the ChivaIric soldier Before the
virginia Society of AtIanta-IIis
sword n Stranger 10 DishonOr and
His Life a Noble Example for Amer
lean Manhood.
Atlanta. Ca. Jan. 20.-AH the banks and
public offices were closed here to-day in
honor of Gen. Lees birthday. The Nir-
ginia Society held a meeting in the Young
Mems Christian Association hall tonight,
and Immediately after there was a ban
quet at the KimbaIl house. President
Barbour Thompson Of the Virginia Socie-
~ was prevented from attending. The
Grafton was delivered by ex-Gov. William
L. Cameron Of Virginia. His address was
upon Gen. Robert r. Lee. After briefly
sketching Gen. Lees life prior to the
breaking out of the war Gov. Cameron
said. "And so he started forth upon that
course which brought him to the call of
Virginia in 1861, veteran already in war.
master of its theories. ripe in its practice.
in the flush of health.
Scott, his old commander had de-
clared OF him in his sincere way, that he
was the greatest military genius in Amer
lea, the best soldier ever saw in the field.
and If opportunities should offer he will
show himself the foremost captain Of his
time II was through the influence of this
Nirg1nian, then at the head of the United
States army, that President Lincoln was
induced to offer that high command to
Col. Lee. This tender was calculated to
crafty an ordinary pride and great
enough to satisfy any ambition. It came
10 man who was controlled in every act
of his existence by a desire to do the
right. In all that memorable career there
is not an act nor an utterance which sug-
gests motive less noble than a sense of
THAT his resignation from the United
States army was a step taken in sorrow
and after severe conflict of mind, is not
10 be doubted by any who read the calm,
yet mourntul letters in which at this
Juncture he announced his decision to his
sister. He severed the ties and relin-
pushed the aspirations of a lifetime to
enterhpon contest which promised moth
ing but loss and danger to him."
Outlining Gen. Lees war record up to
me close OF loo4' the speaker sad: Dark
days were upon us. The shadows of the
inevitable were beginning to obscure the
brow of hope 1t was as the winter fell
that / first observed the decpened lines
of care that not all the serenity of a soul
at peace with God and itself could
smooth from the countenance of Gen.
was already bleached into silver, and
though too much a gentleman to be-
tray abstraction, his speech except on
business. was rare. In fact, at this pc
riod. the peril and privations of the
troops were never absent from his
thoughts. So patient OF privation him
self, he was indignant at what he be-
lieved to be the neglect of the supply de-
partment in furnishing clothing and pro-
visions TO the men"
In closing Gov. Cameron said: whether
posterity will assign to Gen. Lee the rank
as commander which the south claims
for him is a question which need not be
discussed here. The judgment of foreign
critics of this generation places him high
in the list of the born Leaders of Men,
That he accomplished much with limited
resources, that he elected the best skill
and valor of the union by his persistent
defense OF Virginia, that he overmatched
many generals and decimated several arm
finally gave to the victor a costly triumph,
are facts not to be gainsaid. He fought
for the cause of his conscience until fur
Their contest would have been a useless
and criminal sacrifice of life. He surren-
dered in good faith to a generous foe, and
thereafter gave his example to the build
ing up OF substantial peace and real
union. He laid aside his stainless sword
with less reluctance than he had drawn
II, and without a sigh for the past turned
to the duties of the present Patiently
Installing the lessons of virtue into the
minds of the Virginia youth presiding at
the VeStry meetings of his church, fore
most IN unheralded chariues-so passed
the Few years that remained on earth to
Robert Lee"
Lucien l.. Knight responded for "Vir-
ginia, and made an eloquent speech
Mayor Porter King spoke for Atlanta
The other toasts and the speakers were:
ATLANTA Resurgents," Hon. Porter
King.
Colonial Danes" Charles A. Read.
The Daughters of the Confederacy,"
DIR. William Perrin Nicolson.
The Confederacy's Capital, Richmond
on the James," Maj. John A. Courtney.
The University of Virginia" Algernon
B. Gambler.
The Ragged Heroes of the Lost Cause"
Julian A. Hutchinson.
The Hero of Balls Cross Roads," Rev.
B. j. Kelly.
THE Press" F. H. Richard