Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-01-23

spent on the Richmond monument of
stone, it Is not yet too late to start
the movement for the jeff Davis uni
versity, and he hoped that it would be
started by the Winnie Davis chapter
on that day. Colonel Stephenson's re-
marks elected enthusiastic applause.
The next speaker introduced was J.
H. Witherspoon, Esq, who had been
chosen by the U. D. c., to deliver a
eulogy on General Lee. He spoke as
follows:
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentle
men:-It affords me much and sincere
pleasure to meet with so many Of those
who are doing such noble work in the
schools Of our country-you, who are
driving, as it were, wedge under the
very foundations of education, and
thereby elevating the entire structure
to pay our tributes, on this, his natal
day, to the memory of one Of the great
est of all teachers and college presi-
dents.
/
rising generation, to add my tiny
wreath to the many garlands that will
be placed around his name this day by
hundreds-survivors Of so many hard
fought battles.
Ninety-four years ago today. in
Westmoreland county, Virginia, was
born Robert E. Lee, to whom was en-
trusted the destiny Of the South, whose
influence and effect will be long felt,
ard who was so active in promoting
the good of the human race. Old Vir-
ginia, besides the crown of her glory
Washington-her Jefferson, her Madi-
son, her Monroe, and her Marshall, has
enrolled among her archives still an
other and venerable patriarch Of free
dom, whose name is sacred word up
on the lips Of every true lover Of his
country Who would not write with
me on the scroll, which American lib
erty displays to the world, under the
name Of General Washington, that of
General Lee?
Left fatherless at IL, appointed chief
engineer to the central army in Mexi-
co on graduating from West Point, for
more than a quarter Of a century he
served with credit and distinction In
the Federal army, and at the outbreak
Of the Civil war, held, in the opinion OF
both the army and the country, the Sec
ond position in it in point Of merit.
The president even offered him the i'm
mediate command. Here honor and
high military distinction awaited him.
On the other hand, enlisted with Vir-
ginia, suffering and sorrow were In
store for him; from wealth he would
be reduced to poverty and proclaimed
a traitor by the government he loved
SO well.
Yet he believed his state had the eright
to pursue the course she had adopted
though he knew it would entail great
suffering and disaster upon her. He
believed also, that Virginia had the
first claim upon him, and that 1t was
his duty to obey her command with
out questioning. His course was the
result Of a conscientious conviction of
duty, formed after a mental struggle
such as few men are called upon to
make. But it was his state which de-
manded the sacrifice, and 1t was cheer
fully made. Was there ever an In
stance of sacrifice, heroism, and patri-
otism like this? What must have been
the feelings Of that man-What the
emotions which swelled his breast.
The force Of his talent and character
had been able to challenge the rever-
ence of all, and to win fame as ex-
tended as the limits Of the globe, and
which we can but believe will be as
lasting as the existence Of man. He
commanded the love and respect of his
countrymen and the admiration of
those in all lands that honor the Christ
ian soldier, who, having been charged
with the fate Of a newborn nation,
never failed in his duty; but was faith
full unto the end. Notwithstanding the
order, dignity and beauty Of his char
acter. there are none whose private
lives would furnish much more inter-
esting subjects. The interest Of life
depends more upon state affairs than
personal adventure or romantic Incl
dent. He was man Of integrity whom
no temptation could swerve from the
performance of duty, Of unceasing con-
stancy and devotion to his native land
He commanded respect without any
appearance of haughtiness, and was
ever serious without being sullen or
dull. OF his character it is Impossible
to speak but in the terms of the high
est respect. Yes, he was a great ma
tional character.
I might say many things of his lib
erality. of his kindness to his domes-
tics and his command in the army.
The great general possessed, in an en-
inent degree, a nature that could SYM
pathize with his soldiers in all the
hardships that fell to their lot. Whilst
the passions Of men were loosened and
the fierce war went on, he, who direct
ed it's tremendous force, moved also
amongst it's scenes Of woe-a gracious
and healing spirit. He was the noblest
man that ever lived. Better Is this
praise than any garland of the poet.
How many examples Of the bravest
men have the Greek and Latin writer's
left US; but can we find one amongst
them all half so brave? Pagan mythol-
ogy would have placed him among the
gods; but let us keep him ever present
with us. His conduct has been stamp