Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-21

The Virginia Society uaS a Banquet al
the Kimball House.
Ex-Gov. CAMERON THE ORATOR.
General Lees Place ns n soldier and
n Leader of Mcn-L. l.. Knight
Speaks for virginia, Major Court
ney for Richmond.

ATLANTA, GA. January 20.All the
banks ard public offices were closed
to-day I'm honor Of General Lees Birth
day.
The Virginia Society held meeting
In the Young Mems Christian Association
hall tonight. and Immediately after
ward there was banquet at the Kimball
House. President Barbour Thompson, OF
the Virginia Society, was prevented from
attending.
The grafton was delivered by cx-Gov-
ernor Cameron. of Virginia. His address
was upon General Robert +. Lee.
After briefly sketching Lees life prior
TO the breaking out Of the war, Gov
ernor Cameron said:
And so he started forthwith upon that
course which brought him to the call OF
Virginia In the fall of 1861, veteran al
ready in war; master Of its theories, ripe
In its practice; in the full flush Of health.
Scott. his old commander, had declared
of him in his sincere way that he was
the greatest military genius In America,
the best soldier / ever saw In the field,
and if opportunity affords will show
himself the foremost captain of his time
ut was through the influence OF this
Virginia, then at at the head OF the United
States army, that President Lincoln was
induced to offer that high command 10
Colonel Lee. This tender was calculated
TO crafty any ordinary pride and great
enough to satisfy any ambition. IL came
to man who was controlled in every act
of his existence by desire 10 do the
right. In all that memorable career
there is not an act or an utterance which
suggests a motive less noble than sense
of duty.
THAT his resignation from the United
States army was step taken IN sorrow,
and after severe conflict OF mind, IL no,
to be doubted by any one who reads tne
calm, yet mournful letter in when at
this juncture he announced his decision
TO his sister. He severed the ties and re-
linquished the aspirations of lifetime
TO enter upon a contest which promised
nothing but loss and danger TO him.
LEES WAR RECORD.
Outlining General Lees war record up
TO the close of 1864. the speaker said:
Dark days were upon us. The shadows
of the inevitable were beginning to OBJ
scure the brow of hope. IL was as the
winter fell that | first observed the
deepened lines of care that not all the
serenity of a soul at peace with God
and itself could smooth from the counte-
nance of General Lee. The raven hair OF
four years before was already bleached
into silvery whiteness. and though TOO
much a gentleman to betray abstraction
his speech. except on business, was rare.
an fact, at this period the pcrils and
privations of the troops were never ab-
sent from his thought. So patient OF
privation himself he was indignant at
what he believed TO be the neglect OF
the supply department in furnishing
clothing and provisions TO the men.
In closing. Governor Cameron said:
whether posterlty will assign 10 General
Lee the rank as a commander which the
south claims is a question which needn't
be discussed here. The judgment OF for
eign critics of this generation places him
high in the list of the born leaders Oh
men. That he accomplished much with
limited resources; that he ELECTED the
hest skill and valor of the Union by his
nersistent defence of Virginia; that he
overmatched many generals ana deci-
mated several armies ere his own sue
cumbed, and that he finally gave 10 the
victor a costly triumph, are facts not 10
he eainsaid. He fought for the cause OF
his conscience uillll ti''A NOHNN'N ''~N-
have been a useless and criminal sacrihce
of life. He surrendered in good faith 10
a generous foe, and thereafter gave MS
example to the building up OF substantial
peace and real Union.
HE laid aside his stainless sword WIN
less reluctance than he had drawn IT,
and. without a sigh for the past, turned
10 the duties of the present. Patiently In
etilling the lessons OF virtue into the
minds of the Virginian youth, presiding
AT the vestry meetings of his church
foremost in unheralded charities-sc
passed the few years that remained OF
earth to Robert r.. Lee"
VIRGINIA"
Lucan l.. knight responded FOR "Nir'
cinia." and made an eloquent speech.
Mayor Porter King spoke for Atlanta.
The other toasts and the speakers were
ATLANTA Resurgent." Hon. Porter King
Colonial Danes" Mr.. Charles A. Reade
THE Daughters OF the Confederacy'
Dr. William Perrin Nicolson.
"The Confederacy's Capital. Richmond
on the James" Major John A. Courtney.
"The University Of Virginia. Algernor
b. Cansler.
'The Ragged Heroes of the Lost cause
Julian A. Hutchinson.
.The Hero of Balls Cross-Roads, Rev
1 =. !. Kelly
"The Press" f. II. Richardson.