The Washington herald., 1907-01-20
-ashington Herald

Lexington. Va, jan l3.-AIlS, the
home of Gen. Robert E. Lee in the clos
ing years of his life, and the resting
place of his ashes, rung to-day with
fervent praise of the military leader of
the Confederacy. on the occasion of the
Tooth anniversary of his birth.
The great memorial was under the
auspices of the Sons and the Daughters
Of the Confederacy and the veterans of
the lost cause The formal exercises
were held in the Lee Memorial Chapel at
Washington and Lee University, over
which Gen. Lee presided after the close
Of the war
Charles Francis Adams. of Massachu-
sets. a lineaI descendant of two Presi-
dents of the United States. was the prin-
cipaI speaker for the occasion. He was
introduced by President George H Denny,
OF the university. as "a son of Virginia
by reason of degree conferred upon
him by the university.
Tribute from Abroad.
The exercises Of this morning were held
in the Lee chapel. which was erected
during the presidency Of Gen. Lee. It
was beautifully decorated for the occa-
sion, the Stars and Stripes and the Stars
and Bars having prominent place in the
decoration scheme. The heavy curtains
behind the rostrum were drawn back.
exposing 10 view the celebrated Valen-
tine recumbent statue Of Lee, A beau
tiful floral tribute was brought by c. c.
Pinkney. of Richmond. who was present
as representative of the Lee family. An
other decoration was an exquisite laurel
wreath in bronze, sent from England,
and bearing the inscription; "To the
glorious and immortal memory of Gen.
Robert f Lee: born January 10, 1907. Tn
surpassed as a warrior, he was no less
conspicuous as a complete and perfect
model Of a true gentleman. His name
will endure forever IN the memory of all
who respect and admire true nobility of
character. This wreath is placed here
on the centenary of his birthday, in low
ing and respectful homage 10 the mem
DRY Of true, good and great man, by
Gerald Smuythe Putney. England"
House Well Filled.
The body Of the house was nearly filed
by the students. seats in front being re-
served for the Confederate Veterans in
the South. along with the members of the
Daughters and Sons Of the Confederacy,
and opposite them visitors and friends.
On the platform. besides the trustees
and faculty. were the old alumni, who
We're students during the period when
Gen. Lee was president.
Promptly at II O'Clock the academic pro
cessiOn moved from NewcOmb Hall across
the campus to the chapel. President
Denny leading, with Hon. Charles Francis
Adams Of Boston. the orator of the day
followed by trustees. faculty. alumni Of
m nd ST md
senior classes were in full academic cos
tune.
The exercises opened with prayer by
the rector, DIT. @. r. Stricken, of Rich
mond, who was captain of the Liberty
Hall Volunteers the college company
which fought through the entire war.
The glee club then sang How Firm a
Foundation" one Of Gen. Lees two IA
vOrite hymns.
whODecided Honestly, Decided Right
Mr. Adams began by referring 10 the
Importance of character as the basis Of
national greatness. and enumerated some
conspicuous examples of the influence of
character as distinct from genius or abil-
ity upon the drift of affairs in American
public life. Among men who eXerted
such an influence he referred to John
Winthrop, John Jay George Washington.
John Marshall, and Gen. Lee. Omitting
any attempt to review the work or posi-
ton Of Gen. Lee in history he commented
in brief terms upon the circumstance
which had brought himself-the head Of
the Massachusetts Historical Society and
a persistent military antagonist of Lee
throughout the waT-tO pass judgment
upon his opponent, adding, the situation
is thus to a degree dramatic"
Hastily passing in review the charges
against the secessionists Of the war that
they acted tTeacherously, and admitting
the charges as technically true, Mr.. Ad-
ans added: Coming directly 10 the
point I maintain that every man in the
eleven States seeding from the Union
had in 1861. whether he would or not, to
decide for himself whether TO adhere to
his State or TO the nation, and I finally
assert that whichever way he decided, il
only he decided honestly, putting self-in-
terest behind him. he decided right.
1T was a question Of sovereignty
State or national-and from decision OF
that question there was I'm a seeded
State escape for no man. Yet when the
national Constitution was framed and
adopted that question was COnfessedly
left undecided. and Intentionally so left
More than this. even the Federal Consti-
tuition was theoretically ana aVOWedly
based on the idea of a divided sover-
eighty, IN utter disregard of the fact that
when d final issue is presented sover-
eighty does not admit of division"
May Have Been Technical Treason
Mr.. Adams then reviewed the career OF
Gen. Lee himsef, with brief biographical
comment. and pointed to the fact that
in throwing his part with Virginia he
practically consented 10 sacrifice all that
he had and his whole future career. Con.
trasting Lees decision with that Of Win
field Scott and George H. Thomas. he re
marked:
1T may have been treason for him
TO take this position. the man who took
it may have been technically a renegade
TO his flag. but he stands awaiting sen
tence at the bar of history in very re-
spectacle company. Associated with hin
are, for instance, William of Orange
John Hampden, Oliver Cromwell. Sir
Harry Vane, and George Washington
As to Robert E Lee, individually. I car
only repeat what I have already said
that If in all respects similarly circum.
stanced I hope I should have been fila
and unselfish enough 10 have done as lie,
did. Such an utterance on my part MAJ
be 'traitorous,' but I here render thai
homage"
Mr. Adams passed rapidly over The
campaign Of Lee from a military stand
point and while justifying the concep
ton and plan of the Gettysburg campaign
pointed out that it was based on funda
r,antaI Instrumentation of the Sitt1at{oY