Omaha daily bee., 1909-06-12
WATTERSON ORATOR OF DAY
Distinguished Kentuokisn Thanks
God for Union Of States.
he SPEAKS AT vICKsBURG
General Fred Grant and ether PromI-
nent Men Fay Tribute 20 Confed-
crate General stephen n. Lee
4 Monument UnveiIinE.

VICKsBURG. Miss, June 1i.-vicksburg
today entertained a large crowd Of con-
federate veterans and visitors. who took
part this afternoon In the unwilling Of the
bronze statue OF General stephen d. Lee,
former commander-in-chie Of the United
Confederate Veterans. In addition to the
gray clad veterans. General Frederick Dent
Grant. u. s. A., was the especial guest Of
the city. J. T. Harahsn Of the Illinois
Central was also present. Among the
other prominent men present we're General
Clement Evans, the principal commander
in-chief OF the United Confederate Vet
Grams, Henry Watterson OF Louisville,
master of c~eremonies; Governors Sanders
Of Louisiana and Noel OF Mississippi and
Blewett Lee, son OF General s. ID Lee.
Three companies Of United States regu-
lars from Fort Logan II. Roots OF Little
Rock also took part in the unwilling. Two
grandsons Of General Lee, John Glesner
Lee Of Chicago and Lee Harrison OF Col
umbus, Miss, unveiled the monument.
Reunion wattersOn's Plea.
Upon taking the chair as presiding Off
Ger. Mr.. Watterson said:
standing by the Father of Waters let me
first give thanks to God, that from the
Falls of st. Anthony to the Gulf of Mexico,
It flows through an unbroken succession
OF American states; at once a chain and an
emblem of perpetual union between the
north and the south.
1t vas to gain this outlet to the sea thai
We acquired the Louisianas Of France. IL
was to keep It open that the yeomen OF
the great northwest took the field. The
purpose TO close it proved an error VI far
reaching magnitude; but II It be true, "a
GiDbon tells us, that History is little more
than the register OF the crimes, folies auu
misfortunes of mankind" what must not al
OF us nave to answer Ter w9eH ivSs .
OF a conflict which even now battles
philosophy; because the south, fore-doomcd
TO defeat, risked all and had everything to
lose; the wonder being, and the glory, that
against such odds the self-confident but
vanquished and vanished confederacy was
able to hold out so long.
Those OF us who survive that dread
ordeal are old men now and each annual
roll-call brings yet fewer OF us together.
living not one who fought on either side.
Happy those who have been spared TO look
fraternal blood and a people reunited for
ever IN hand and heart. The mystic chords
field end patriotic grave to every living
heart and hearthstone," touched long age
by the angels of our better nature swell
at last the universal chorus OF the union
the memory Of deeds of kindness and OF
ValOr done; OF q common blood and race
for. impossible as the line Of fire seemed
people now, the war Of sections a mutual
and a blessed heritage.
Likened to n. e. Lee.
This Is why we are assembled in a ma.
tional cemetery to rear q memorial to q
confederate general. He was OF the best
the south had to offer upon the affairs OF
American manhood, all that the north
could wish an American to be. l have
ridden to battle with him, and knelt by his
side in prayer. and can truly say that VIVA
his great kinsman was to Virginia he wa
TO Mississippi:
so prompt and capable and yet
so calm.
He nothing Lacked IN soldiership,
Except good fortune"
Il will be for another to dwell upon his
many and SURPRISING virtues; his skill and
prowess in the field. his service to the arts
~ peace; his simple, kindly, sturdy manful
ness In the presence of LIES duties, his
Christian RESIGNATION in the presence oil
death; a Lee in every drop of his blood, In