Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1908-06-17
LEES LAST SPEECH
Prepared for Delivery Before y.
G. V. Reunion

ance Of the late Gen. stephen ID.
Lee, commander in chief OF the
United Confederate Veterans. He
was to have delivered it at the re.
union in Birmingham, but death
prevented him from doing so. The
speech was read, however, and in
part ls as follows:
alabama was the cradle of the
Confeoeracy. Here was instituted
the provisional government of the
new nation, and here her illustri-
oIs chief took the oath Of office
which no man but himself should
ever take. And from Alabama
came the great admiral who float
ed the stars and bars upon every
sea, and single handed swept the
nations commerce from the waves.
at has not seemed the whole
truth to me that the Confederate
soldier went into battle to vindi-
cate a constitutional argument.
"He went to war because be
loved his people, because his coun-
try wac invaded because his heert
was throbbing for his hearthstone.
"He who could have expected a
Lee to dosbattle against Virginia
or a Hampton to draw his sword
against South Carolina. has never
learned the language of the human
heart. Nothing but the most de-
voted love of country could ever
have sustained the Confederate
soldier in his unequal and terrible
struggle.
Neither do ] consider it neces-
sary to find a reward for the Con-
federate soldier in Unexpectedly
good results of the great conflict.
The reward of noble actions lies in
the capacity to do them. The
Confederate soldier who fought
with unainchlng courage had the
reward of being a true patriot. He
who faced the lannon's mouth for
those he loved dearer than life had
the reward of being a hero. He
who was faithful unto death had
the reward of q stainless honor.
What other course could a south
erner have takenS
"2ehind him were the great
traditions of his English race. In
his veins flowed the blood of a
thousand years of chivalry. He
could face the line of fire, but not
the shame of standing back.
as"But if religion were supersti-
ton and faith were folly-if death
ends all and icy night awaits the
world, these men lived the only
life fit to be lived.
"The old masterful type of the
Southern statesman passed away
with slavery. Whatever may be
said of that institution, it trained
men for leadership and govern
ment.
"The constant presence OF the
bondsmen wrought in the master
q love of freedom and sense OF
honor that will never be surpassed.
Wonderful men those old
Southerners we're; great in coun'
sci, great in battle. but greater
than all in the integrity which felt
dishonor like wound. They
would have fallen upon the sordid
plunderers, who in later times
have infested public life, like
Elijah upon the prophets of Baal.
II cherish the hope that our
Southern blood will produce the
type again-that with renewed
prosperity we will again introduce
into public life class of men able
and willing to devote themselves
with pure and unwaverlng fidelity
to the public service and free from
the all absorbing struggle FOL
bread " hich has teen the portion
of Southern men for so many
years.
"These men fell bleeding and
with broken swords before the al
tar of their country. Their re-
ward was the imperishable knight
hood of their service. l imagine
that the knights of the Holy Grail
never sought oGhers reward than
Just to serve. The Confederate
soldier was IT,. flower ol noble
and heroic courege. Erty l. &c
her kiss upon his brow. and Love
of Country folded him in her arms
He enriched tie world in tonor
He added TO the spiritual riches oil
mankind. The memory OF NIL
deeds is the treasure of his people
incorrup.ible, undetiled and thaI
fadeth no. away. No noble actor
is ever lost, no brave deed snal
q, err pass away. They are writ
ter upon the everlasting pages o.
the universe, they are inscribed
upon the heart of God. Th'
mountains md hills shall be mad'
low, there shall be no more sea
but nothing Of moral worth shall
perish. Upon the coral OF sucl
lives as these, Gods islands lift.
"May it be the lot of our chill
dren &c perform the duty OF free
men in republic with as WILLING
hearts as ours, but at no such fear
full COST"
A Valuable Cow
,.t ~ NJ Gauual Il