The Washington herald., 1907-01-20

statesmen "the Confederacy collapsed
from hamilton. Suffering such occasional
reverses and defeats as are incidental TO
all warfare it was never crushed in battle,
or on the field. until its strength was
Slapped away by want Of food. It died
Of exhaustion, starved and gasping."
In sketching the later history of the
war, Mr.. Adams gave to Gen Lee the
credit for recognizing the facts of the
situation when the time had come Ior
the cessation of resistance as well as
for exerting the influence that prevailed
over the wishes Of Davis and the extreme
war party. "The service Lee now rem
dered to the common country" he com
tinued, the obligation under which he
placed us, whether OF the North or South,
has not, I think, been always appreciated.
and to overstate il would be difficult.
The lead given by Lee proved TO be de-
cisive Of the course TO be pursued by his
fellows with arms in their hands. Whether
what was recently witnessed in SOuth
Africa would in its results have been
more morally injurious to the North thah
il would have been physically destruc-
tive to the South, is not now to be con
sidered. It would, however, assuredly
have come about. From that crown OF
sorrows Lee saved the common coun-
try"
Flowers from New England.
President Denny in introducing Mr.
Adams, said:
To the alumni and friends of Washing
/ ton and Lee this ceremony brings 70
memory something more than mighty
name and a mighty drama in the nations
/ history. To some of US Il brings 10
memory a great and wonderful person
atty. moving among us daily and becom-
/ ing so much a part Of our lives as 10
make US feel that We know him just a
little better and loved him just a little
more than did those who were farther re-
moved from him than we during those
years of simple devotion and Of unsUr-
passed dignity, when he was writing that
I splendid closing chapter Of his career. To
all of us II brings to memory our great
president. the greatest man who has ever
adorned the presidency Of an institution
/ Of learning not merely within Virginia,
not merely within the South. butt dare
also to say-within the limits of the
American republic. We believe that
whatever Immortality is destined to at
tend his great career as commander OF
/ armies, this work which engaged the last
energy of mis- life and upon which he
pronounced his final benediction. will rest
like a capital upon the solid shaft Of his
civic and military renown.
Il know Of no more splendid spectacle
in human history. no suTeT evidence that
Virginia is loyal 10 the national flag than
the spectacle that we behold to-day.
know Of no greater expression of human
sympathy. OF human courage of heart
and Of human sincerity Of spirit than the
coming Of a man, distinguished in the
service Of his country and no lOngeE
young in years. from the capital of New
England. in midwinter, a thousand miles
TO the tomb Of Robert +. Lee, in order e
strew fresh flowers upon his grave
President Denny also announced that
the degree of doctor Of laws has beer
conferred upon Mr.. Adams by the trus
tees of the university.
Lee ana the University.
The early history Of Washington and
Lee University dates from the first hall
of the eighteenth century. when an acad
envy was organized near the present sit,
by Robert Alexander. This school came
under the favorable notice of Georg'
Washington, when. after the Revolution
airy war he was in search Of a beneficiary
for the gift of $500 which he had beer
voted by the legislature Of Virginia, bU
had refused to accept save on the COZ
dition that II be transferred 20 some OBJ
ject of a public nature The bestowal o
the $4,000 upon the academy led to it,
transformation into a log college bear
ing the name of Washington, which j
retained as its only designation until afte
the death Of General Lee.
Gen. Lee did not become associated witt
the college in any capacity until after tn
war, when he was invited by the trustee.
TO become its president