Evening star., 1909-06-11

will speak clearly, forcibly and eloquent
ly for itself. 1t is also one of the highly
interesting facts of this occasion that the
love of the son for his father, the ira.
ternal feeling of the veteran soldiers of
two great armies tonce enemies, now
friends), and the patriotic impulses OF
fellow-countrymen, are all cordiaily
blended in the united offering of this
monument to their common country lhe
gift therefore, honors the hearts of the
givers, who are thus united by the best
ties that bind mankind together. Fiiia!.
fraternal and patriotic sentiments, In all
the heights and depths of their influence
are here, concretely allied, to honor the
givers and the government. as we'll as the
heroic southern soldier and citizen TO
whom the tribute is paid.
Our thoughts and feelings today con-
centrate fifty on the patriotic life of
Lieut. Gen. Lee as we shall always as
sociate him with the great events in
which he acted his distinguished part.
His comrades and his countrymen know
the great activity Of his service and its
wide area-frst in his native state, then
Virginia and the states beyond the Po-
tomac; after that the great middle states
of the Confederacy, and at Vicksburg.
where he shared with the Confederate
armies the fate of the city's fall. When
exchanged he was promoted major gen.
eral, commanding Confederate cavalry
over several states, in fighting comrade-
ship with the great cavalry leader, Gen.
Bedford Forrest. until, rising to the rank
of lieutenant general, he commanded his
corps in Georgia, Tennessee and the Caro-
linas to the surrender of Johnston's army.
In a review of these varied services In
actual battle it was said of him by Mr..
Davis not long before his death: stephen
D. Lee was one of the very best all-around
soldiers we had. I tried him in artillery.
and he handled the guns SO superbly that
/ thought we could never spare him from
that arm of the service. l tried him in
cavalry. and then l thought he was
born for that service. and when l put
him to command infantry he was as
equally able in that position
Gen. Evans concluded his address by the
formal presentation of the monument.
Gen. Grants Address.
Maj. Gen. Frederick Dent Grant of
the Department of the Lakes, repre-
senting Secretary of War Dickinson,
who was unable to be present. received
in behalf of the national government
the statue of Gen. Stephen ID. Lee
from the United Confederate Veterans
Gen Grant referred to his acquaint-
ance with Gen. Lee. which he said
afforded him the greatest happiness
and qualification. He reviewed the
career Of Gen. Lee, who died, .'leav-
ing an untarnished record and a MEM
Ory deSerVedly hOnOfeQ with ddmlra
ton and respect. because of his noble
life and character. of which his sur
viving son and friends will be ever
proud, and which all who follow him
may emulate.
Continuing. Gen. Grant said: Il my
self am especially grateful to have this
opportunity of speaking in honor of
Gen. Stephen D. Lees memory. as less
than two years ago he. my kind
friend and hospitable host. took me
over these very historic grounds at
Vicksburg, and we recalled together
the incidents of the fearful struggle
which occurred here. in 1863, where
he and l had both been wounded. Gen.
Lee serving during that struggle as
distinguished officer OF the Confederate
army, and l being with my father, who
commanded the forces of the opposing
Union army. We talked over the bat
ties of the past with no feelings of bit
terness. only with rejoicings that
peace had been established and that
harmony, patriotism and loyalty 10
one flag now existed throughout our
great land.
IN the shadow of this beautiful
statue, built to the memory of this
knightly and chivalric soldier. | am
glad to recall the earnest wish cher
ished constantly by my own dear fa-
ther Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, for peace
nd harmony among the American peo-
pie. This wish was shown in the terms