Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-02-27
DANIELS TRIBUTE TO LEE.
a Thousand people gathered DO

nearly two hours to the lecture of SEN
ator John w. Daniel, upon Thoughts
of Robert f. Lee" The audience was
enthusiastic and many times interrupted
the speaker with deafening applause.
Senator Daniel was introduced by
Rev. DR.. G. Madison Peters, the pastor.
The Senator said in part :
"While my friend, DR.. Peters, has
been travelling south have been travel
ing north, and am delighted that we
happen to come together in such de-
Iightful city as Baltimore. In my youth
none could have been more anxious to
reach Baltimore and spent four years
in a vain endeavor. At the same time
| may observe that many of those who
smile at my remark were trying TO get
from here to Richmond, but somehow
loitered on the way three or four years.
Permit me to say, although metaphor is
not exactly suitable to use in church,
honors were about even.
at is my privilege to speak to you
of one who through many trials, yicis-
situdes and tribulations proved himself
perfect man. The world has long
since recognized that he is unsurpassed
in excellence of character.
"In the nineteenth century there APP
peared in the front rank of history FIVE
great military commanders-Napoleon.
Wellington, Won Moltke, Grant ard
Robert Z. Lee. The Little Corporal tf
Corsica. who would have icrowned him
self with his own hand, was famous for
his prodigious intellectual achievements,
which astonished the world of arms, but
with all his ability he made a colossal
error. As surely as enlighted judgment
of mankind has awarded to Napoleon
Bonaparte military pre-eminence, so
does it award to Robert E. Lee pre-em-
inence of manly virtue. Not more sure
" than sparks fly upward or the sun
returns after night has gone will there
come time when every countryman will
recognize that in the person of Robert
E. Lee was a perfect American and a
perfect man.
ave are all familiar with his form
and features. Works of art have given
us his countenance and history his dex-
terity and courage in campaign and
battle. | propose to speak of what Lee
thought more than of what Lee did.
"No happier home than his was there
in America. In its simple Doric
columns, halls and chambers adorned
with the portraits of the fathers of the
country was an ideal home for lover
of hearth and family. So situated was
Colonel Lee in 1861 on the verge oi
that great revolution which shook the
country from end to end. We cannot
estimate the sacrifice he made to take
up arms against the union or the flames
of action which promoted his course.
"Colonel Lee was distinctly union
man and Virginia a union State. He
loved the people of his kindred blood.
His life had been spent until then in the
service of his country and two OF his
sons held commands in the army. He
was born in the same county and de-
scended from the same old English blood
as Washington, and with Washington
as his example of manhoodhe worshiped
his character with the fullness of his
whole being. Many professional years
of his life had been spent in northern
community and he well understood the
resources of that great section. When
men spoke to him of coming war be
would reply: we all are Americans.
Each side at that time grossly under
valued and grossly misunderstood the
other. No people well informed made
greater mistake than the North in under
yaluing the South, unless it was the
South in undertaking the North.
"The North and South in their meet
ing in that war remind me of the two
Irshmen who met one day. How ar'
YOU. PatY said one. How are you
Mixer. said the other. But Pm not Pat,
answered the first. And Pm not Mike,
said the other. Faith said the first
you took me for Pat and took you foI
Mike, but, bejsbbers, it naither of u.s. .
"Shortly before the war one of Lee
soldiers asked him what to do in case o
war being declared. Stick to your col
ors., replied the Colonel. While he hell
the commission of colonel in his nativ'
State no man was ever truer to his coun
try than Lee. The States acted Tor them
selves; the North for themselves, ant
Virginia for herself. Robert E. lie
took his place beside his kindred, hi
children, his home. No stronger tie
there than that which binds to home ant
kindred.
az cannot refer to Lee without ais
to his great companion and friend
Stonewall Jackson.
"Never two men in the world were
such great compliments and supplement
of each other. Never two men who ha'
more admiration for each other.
General Lee with all his mental ac
complishments was man OF as fine
sense of humor as any other man alive
He concentrated himself on the work be
fore him, but in his quiet moments o
rest he was full of wit.
zone night Lee went into his tent
where several young officers were porin