Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-27
CRITICISMS OF LEE.
AN NEWTON ADDRESSES CON-
rrpERATES ON THUS sUBJECT.
COMPLETE REPUTATION OF CHARGES.
u,,c Regular Meeting of Lee Camp
son Writes for His Fathers
War Rccord-RcsoiutiOns Of Com
dolcncc with the Stratton Family.

rho announcement that Mr.. Virginius
newton was TO deliver an address before
D., camp last night attracted very
LARGO attendance OF members OF that or
yar.zatiop. Very generously the camp
had extended invitations to other Con-
leacrate bodies IN the city to attend and
besides a large delegation from the Sol
H.,s Home, there were representatives
NJ rec-Camp Ladies' Auxiliary and the
sons OF Veterans. A cordial welcome was
sNtended IN the name Of the camp by
commander John NJ. Warren.
The regular business OF the camp was
inst disposed Of. a letter was read from
Mr J. H.. staloy. Of Knoxville. Tenn.
asking TIE camp to furnish any informa-
ZION they might possess In regard to the
var record OF David Ruse Staley, his
Gather. who died January 70, 1897. The
family are without any definite records
r.yond the fact that he entered the army
during the first year and fought in many
battles throughout the campaign. An ef-
fer, win De made TO supply the required
information.
Iron his urgent request Comrade r.
leslie Spence was released from further
service ON the Picture Gallery Committee.
Comrado ID. Hardy Pyle was named TO
'ake his place.
Mr.. NEWTON PRESENTED.
Nlr. Newton was then introduced. In a
most mastery review he spoke Of the
latter-day criticism on the life OF General
Robert +. Lee. and refuted the charges
that he had fought on the side of the
south from impure notifies and against
his principles by quoting from records,
personal testimony. and the utterances OF
the great General himself.
Mr. Newton paid an eloquent tribute TO
the boundless devotion, magnificent hero
ism. uncalculating sacrifice, and UNI
eQuallcd endurance Of General Lee, who
offered himself in defence of the sacred
soil and civil liberty Of his own state. It
was a fact. he said, that General Lee had
left no record Of his views Of secession.
and q fact, too. that he had once said
that secession is only revolution" but
when he said this Virginia was sim in
the Union. and men were longing for the
pacincation OF the impending trouble.
when the time came for Lee to make his
decision he made 1t without the slightest
l.sitatiOn.
He FOUGHT FOR PRINCIPLE.
Mr Newton dwelt at length on the
criticism printed in the Nation. Of New
York. in which it IS charged that Lee per-
vefted the whole course of an honorable
life 10 sustain his ambition. The whole
tenor Of General Lees life. said Mr.. New
ton. refuted this charge. Robert Edward
Lee saw I'm unfailing light the love Of
home, Of family, and friends President
Davis said that Lee knew more than any
one the heavy odds against the success
OF the South, and yet he chose 10 fight
under the SOuth's banner. despite the
fact that he had been rendered the COM
mand of the northern armies, and had
been subjected 10 all manner Of blandish-
ments and enticements. and moved not
d hair's-breadth from what he believed
20 be his duty to his State.
ar Newton then quoted from the re-
cords OF the critical examination Of Gene
raj Lee before the Reconstruction Com
mittee in Washington after the war. Mr..
Newtons lecture was very brilliant
effort, and at its close he was greeted
with prolonged applause.
Rev J.. +. Smith, in most feeling
terms. moved vote Of thanks to Mr..
Newton for his able address. He said
me had been very deeply moved by Mr..
Newtons complete vindication Of the
character Of General Lee, in view Of the
criticism which has Deen lalely Ultuef
and the stigma which had been put upon
IL.
Colonel Brander, in seconding the mo-
ton asked that the camp should signify
their appreciation by a rising vote and
that Mr. Newton should be requested 10
leave his manuscript with the camp in
order that they might at some future
time take some action towards having
% printed and circulated.
The motion was unanimously adopted.
OTHER SPEECHES MADE.
Captain Lamb member Of Congress,
was then called upon, and he paid a very
high compliment 10 Mr.. Newton for the
lectur,. which. he said, was the most
cao1ble and interesting on the subject
that he had ever listened TO.
Colonel Alec. Archer moved that a vote
Of tenderest. heartfelt sympathy should
n. extended to Captain J. Taylor STRAIT
ION and. through him, to his aged mo-
ther. I'm their sad bereavement He spoke
-tith much feeling Of the high esteem
'D which Captain Stratton was held, and
rrs horror that each one felt at the I'M
timely death Of his brother, VINO hao
also been a Confederate soldier.
Captain Stratton was completely over
come. but rose and managed to express
his gratitude at this tribute from MS
n FanHr