The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-20

cral Lee with that high conception OF
duty that had over governed his conduct
set am example for the Southern people Of
accepting the situation and resolutely
returning to the paths OF peace In four
months after his flag was turled and his
army was parolled, he entered upon new
duties as president OF Washington Col
lege at Lexington, Va, and his example
as Il citizen was as inspiring 10 the South
as his military career had been GLORIOUS.
Duty. he had said was the sublimest
word in the English language; and he
demonstrated by his refusal to lend his
great name to commercial enterprises
which would have brought him wealth
that in his opinion wealth is matter Of
secondary consideration, and that char
Gcter and virtue are above all price. In
peace, he was as admirable as in war;
and his example as a noble hjgh-minded
Christian gentleman has had a refining
influence in the homes of the Southland
At last, in the autumn of 1870 he pass
ed away, and was gathered to his faith
ers, leaving as a heritage to the South
ern people the rich legacy of his immort-
al fame and of his pure, noble character
In conclusion let me quote from the
autobiography of Lord Wolsely, his esti-
mate of our beloved hero:
General Lee was one of the few men
who ever seriously impressed and awed
me with their natural, their inherent
greatness. Forty years have come and
gone since our meeting, yet the majesty
CT his manly bearing, the genial, winning
grace, the sweetness of his smile and
the impressive dignity of his old-fashion-
ed style of address come back to me
among the most cherished of my recollec-
tions. He spoke of the future
with confidence-it was just after the bat
tie of Antetam-although one could
clearly see he was of no very sanguine
temperament.
Even when the great and noble Chris
tian captain referred to the bad treat
ment of Southern soldiers and people by
the Yankee, he showed no resentment
or bitterness While deploring the fact.
He even showed no resentment when he
told of the destruction OF his own home
at Washington Heights, near Washing
ton. which he had inherited from General
Washington.
He had merely gone with his State,
Virginia-the prevailing principle that
had influenced most of the Soldiers l
spoke with during my visit to the South.
He was, indeed, a beautiful character
! and of him might truthfully be written,
In Righteousness he did judge and make
var
This tribute from England famous
military critic sustans our own view of
Lees greatness and character. His ma
| ture was not only lofty and noble, but
his character was beautiful.
| Such was the chief champion of the
| Southern people in their contest to main
| tain and preserve the independence won
for them by the blood and sacrifices Of
| their Revolutionary Fathers. We honor
MIN now; and postority will veuerate his
name.
After centuries have rolled hy--when
| al his contemporaries shall have passed
| into obscurity, the name of Lee, like
THAT of Washington. will still be luminous
with lustre of glory; ana his fame will
be perpetuated as the noblest the knight
| Hest, and the most illustrous patriot who
ever drew sword in his country's cause.
THE, CROSSES OF HONOR.
As the applause died away after the
conclusion, Of the address the band rem
dered 'Tenting on the Old Camp Ground
and then the audience, led by cornet
sang Gem -E-eeis=-favorite hymn How
Firm Foundation"
Next was read by Adjutant Birdsong
the rules ard regulations governing 1he
| presentation Of Crosses OF Honor to Con-
federatc vet fans, and following this the
| following naIncs were read as those 10
whom the Daughters OF the CoEfederacy
presented thes2 at this time, The names
being:
S. II. Black, Company C, 10th regiment.
c. NJ. Busbee. Company E. 9Th regiment
w. D. Clanton. Company B, 18th req
ment
W. Gregory, Company E, 5lst regi
ment
E. B. Goelet, Company D, 10th regl-
ment
NJ. Hill, Company A, 18th regiment.
II. Johnson Company A, 53rd regiment.
| D. owen, Company /, 18th regiment.
j. Pierce, Company H, 9th regiment.
j. A. Smith, Company C, 53rd regiment.
W. A. Terrence. Company B, 2Sth rogi
ment
t. C. Williams. Company I, sard reg
ment
John NJ. Fleming, Company E, Gun
stead regiment.
| j. ". ID. OIADt>, ~ " 49, .AIAA ~ ~
regiment.
j. M. Goodwin, Company c, 47th N. c..
regiment.
w H. Lyon, Company I, 9Th N. c
regiment.
w. H. Mumford. Company D, 67th y.
c. regiment
OF these there were present but Messrs.
NJ Hill, j. NJ Fleming and w Fl. Lyon.
To receive the other Crosses, which went
to veterans at the Home, Capt. r. H..
Brooks, superintendent OF the Soldiers
Home, was designated by the chapter,
while relatives took those OF kinsmen un-
ayoidably absent As the three veterans
came forward there was applause Tor
each, and more applause was heard a.
tiny granddaughters OF the Contederacy
pinned these on, the little ladies being
Elizabeth Hill, Annie Lee Wynne, Mary
Stronach and Lillian Riddick, all sweet
| little misses.
THE REAR GUARD.
Mrs. r. A. Odds was next introduced
and she read most feeling poem, The
Rear Guard" as follows:
1