The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-01-19

army had inferior numbers on the held'
Men may talk foreign tongues 10 con-
vince Us that the sun Is not SHINING III
the heavens; and so they may le'nncdiy
discuss unfamiliar military manoeuNiea.
But divinity must prove that duty Ola
not require the reformation OF any plan
that may have been agreed upon ana
aggressive battle upon a superior force
when caught I'm detail. and the smaller
army has present greater force WIN
which TO beat him.
GREAT IN DEFEAT.
But the measure Of his greatness Is not
vet filed. The severest test of human
greatness IS not to be found In the bril-
liant paths OF victory. Success often
comes TO those who do not in truth de-
serve its golden favors. Likely enough II
will tear the robe with which little
spirit masquerades as great. But he who
is great enough to stand success is not.
therefore, grca, enough 10 rise above
disaster. IL Is defeat. ruin, despair that
tries the Utmost fibre OF the soul NotbAng
tut a great spirit. a magnificent soul can
rise above utter ruin and disaster
IL was reserved for our leader 10 taste
the sweets OF most glorious victory. and
TO drain. with peaceful spirit. the drcgs
collected. accomplishing. I'm the quiet
walks Of peaceful life. not distempcred by
defeat. though he rad led his armed
hosts along the most splendid paths to
victory. No schemes TO levy war anew
disturbed his peaceful spirit no bitter re-
pining disturbed his great soul. no com
paints. no murmurs escaped his undeill-
cd lips: ne had done mis- best. and with
his grand. 2r.iy head revcrenuy bowed TO
his Fathers viii he sank 30 rest with
out a stain upon his great career. worthy
of himself. an example for all time OF
truly great and sublime life.
The peace Of our country IS due TO
him. Had he been "A Napoleon or a Han
nibal. we should 3till have suffered from
wars aud rumors Of war.
And n the change in war is properly
considered. it may be he will be hidden
higher still 1t is hut truth 10 say that
conditions forbade the highest reach ~
his splendid genius. Lack Of men and
lack OF means alone confined him crIcl-
". But our beloved city. Of which he
was the guardian angel. was mill store
about his neck Splendidly as nature
guards her with strategical defences.
more than once perhaps. she should have
been abandoned But she could not he.
In our proverty. we relied on her for
iron and for arms. without which no shc-
cessful issue could be hoped for.
Thus his brilliant genius was confined
within the narrow strip Of about hun
drcd miles that separated the hostile
capitals. and like "A bird within a cage
his highest fight was limited. But more.
he was not even named as chiei COM
mander Of all our forces. until the South
back had been broken. and the west
already lost beyond recall. Inter arma.
lcges silent in the midst Of arms the
laws are silent.
Not only first i'm war. but | dare ~
firm. first also in peace and first in the
hearts of his countrymen. As a man then
ne was without guile or blemish. As =
warrior. / know not what better TO
saw then TO use the words Of his Ole
commander. Wingneld Scott. who told
General Preston that Lee was the
greatest living soldier in America and
added with emphasis, II tell YOU that n
I were on my death bed tomorrow, and
the President of the United states should
tell me that great battle was 10 Do
fought for the liberty or slavery OF the
country. and he asked my judgment as
10 the ability Of a commander, l would
say with my dying breath, let IT 'e
Robert +. Lee
As pure and lofty shaft reaches TO
Heaven. from the capital of our country.
loving tribute TO the virtues OF cur
Washington. so in the hearts OF men
there grows day by day and viii grow
more and more. wonder. and a love.
and veneration for the virtues OF RoDert
Lee that will demand another pure ana
lofty shaft which will forever fix his
PEOPLES cause. and which will claim his
glory for America.
MUSIC AND RECITATION.
At the conclusion of Colonel Anderson
remarks. ne was loudly applauded. The
Tony Miller Quintet,o rendered several
numbers. while Miss FLORENCE Evans gave
"a few Of her best selections After the
entertainment the Sons of Veterans held
a business meeting.