The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1901-07-24
THE PAST AND THE FUTURE,

A Graphic Description of Robert Z
Lees Appearance Before the Vir
gina Secession Convention.
The Richmond Chamber of Com.
mcrcc gave an excursion on the James
river few days ago to members OF
the Virginia Constitutional Convcn-
tlon, OF which Hon. John Goodc IS the
president. Mr.. GOodc was called upon
Tor speech, and he paid glowing
tribute to the Richmond of to-day, the
result OF untiring industry, pluck and
energy, and then he continued "But
gentlemen, my mind rcvcrts TO the
richmond OF other days. Grand, old
historic Richmond ! How kind and
hpspltablc her people have always been
to me Wei do | remember my first
coming in 1892, when but a boy, and
the friendships formed here even then
| that lasted to the graves Of so many
hcrolc souls. Wen do | remember
when as member Of the convention
OF 1851 | not only enjoyed Rlchmond's
hospitality, but enjoyed the fellowship
and shared the labors of Nirginla's his
tOnc band, only five of whom now
hor it was the first time bchcld the
great, the grand, the immortal Robert
T., Lee. (Grcat applausc). After sc.
ccdng from the Union and before ioin-
IN" the Confcdcracy, Virginia was an
independent nation, and Il. T.. Lee was
made commandments chief of the forces
of the Commonwealth.
"Wcll do | remember his grand
physique as he came into the Conven-
ilon Hall, where we here have left to-
day, leaning upon the arm of Judge
Munson, and stood before he prcsi-
dent of that convention, who sat where
| nave the honor TO sit each day now.
well do | remember the salute he gave
when the president addressed him,
saying that in the days when the re-
public was created all eyes turned to
cid Wcstmorcland, in Virginia, for in
Sp.ration and guidance, and called her
son to first preside over the dcstinics
OF that republic, SO now, when we have
to again adopt heroic measures to pre-
serve the blessings of independence,
all eyes again turn to old Wcstmorc-
land, made ever glorious by Wash
lngtcn and Light-IIorsc Harry Lee,
and you, her son, our dear beloved, we
greet to-day and invest you with our
power Mr.. Lee mUdcstly replied that
he was profoundly impressed by the
sOlemnity Of the occasion and the crave
duties he assumed with the honor ac-
ccptcd. Il accept it he said, with a
prayer to Almighty God that shall be
given grace to please Him and strength
TO serve you, III whose behalf alone |
shall evcrdraw my sword again. And,
oh what Il peerless captain he was
peace hath her victories no less re-
nowncd than war and when that glo-
rious chicftam accepted the abitra-
mcnt Of the sword, and az president of
Washington and Lee University de-
voted the rest of his life ~ the cduca-
| ton Of ihc sons of Virginia, he crown
cd an already llluStrious name with a
sweet and in!pcrishabc glory. 1t is
good to think of old historic Richmond
and Lee together.
"Old Richmond ! My friends, | re-
cur to the days when Mr. Lincoln told
the peace commissioners to go back
and tell your people to take of the
gray, lay down their arms and | will
Stonhnns r,,,o h,nl, ,,;,, 'I,i, aaa'a
In old Richmond q ..rno, r,ooi;nn ~, .
.,lnI IN u,o XII >,,,',, ruI,,i9 ~
81 mnnstcr n,ihr,In,t ,noL niocn thn.
Gu,d III, e,r,,i. lL1ol, o,,.o,,
..It soo.,, ,,,, ,,,s,nnIo,. ,,,} w
the great jIdah II. Benjamin and JEFF
fcrson Davis (grcnt applau'c) walk
down the aisle of the old church, and
shook the ycry ,nltcrs II - innrs.i.
hIc ,o drscrihr ,hr snccch ,h,t 7, nnr,
son Davis modc Demo.,hnnos, n,o.,
celebrated nhii,in;c nnvcr onnn,oI !,
and moi y ci,izrn of olcrious oil Rich,
mond wen; ,o slccn tIa, night wi,hnm,
- l. 80 '''','"'