The Washington herald., 1909-06-12

vicksburg. Miss. June u.-In behalf Of
the United States government. Gen. Fred
erick D. Grant. Z. S. A. received q heroic
statue OF the late Gen. Stephen D. Lee,
which was unveiled to-day in the Ma
tional Military Park here.
Thousands Of Confederate veterans who
attended the reunion at Memphis came
here for the ceremonies. Among those
present were Gen. Clement A Evans,
the present commander in chief United
Confederate Veterans; Henry watterson.
Of Louisville, who was master OF cere-
monies; Col. George R. Peck. Of Chicago.
and Cows. Sanders. Of Louisiana, and
Noel, of Mississippi with their staffs, and
Blewett Lee. son Of Gen. S. D. Lee.
Three companies Of United States reg
ulsrs from Fort Logan Il. Roots also
took part
ner Lee, OF Chicago, and Lee Harrison.
OF Columbus. Miss. drew the cords that
unveiled the monument
The statue is OF life size. and represents
Gen. Lee in a moment Of triumph after
one OF his victories In a skirmish about
Vicksburg. and is the work Of Henry
Hudson Kitson. OF Quincy, Mass, a we'll
known sculptor. who Is the creator
Of many monuments OF various Northern
States already completed and dedicated in
the Vicksburg National Military Park.
In his work he knew Gen. Lee. then one
OF the park commissioners. and put his
best efforts in this statue.
Perpetual Union.
Upon taking the chair as presiding ON
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 il 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 was TO gain this outlet 20 the sea
that we acquired the Louisianas Of
France It was TO keep It open that the
yeomen OF the great Northwest took the
held. The purpose to close II proved an
error Of far-reaching magnitude: but il IL
be true, as Gibbon tells US. that history
Is little more than the register OF the
crimes, follies, and misfortunes Of man
kind what must not all OF US
have 20 answer for when reason
comes 10 the final disposition OF the
facts Of a conflict which even now
bafies philosophy; because the South.
foredoomed 20 defeat, risked all and had
everything TO lose; the wonder being. and
the glory, that against such odds the self
confident bat vanqulshed and vanished
Confederacy was able 70 hold out so long.
Ranks Fast Thinning.
Those OF US who survived thst dread
ordeal are old men now, and each annual
roll-cal brings yet fewer OF US together.
Presently there will remain among the
living not one who fought on either side.
Happy those who have been spared TO
look upon a land never again 10 be wet
by fraternal blood and a people reunited
forever in hand and heart. The mystic
chords OF memory, stretching from every
battlefield and patriot grave to very Iiv-
ing heart and hearthstone,' touched long
ago 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 a common blood
and race. for. impossible as the line OF
IRE seemed. We were one people then ana
we are one people now. the war OF sec
tions a mutual and blessed heritage.
This Is why we are assembled In a
national cemetery to rear a memorial
to Confederate commander. He was of
the best the South has 70 offer upon
the altars Of American manhood. all
that the North could wish an American
10 be. 1 have ridden TO battle with him.
and knelt By his side in prayer, and can
truly say that what his great kinsman
was to Virginia even so was he to Mis-
sissippi:
So prompt and capable and yet 50 calm.
He nothing lack'd IN soldiership,
Except good fortune
Thorough Lee.
1T will be for another TO dwell unon
his many and surprising virtues: his
-.-in and prowess in the field, his service I
10 the arts Of peace; his simple. kindly. |
sturdy nanfulness in the presence Of |
lifes duties. his Christian resignation
in the presence Of death: a Lee in every
drop Of his blood. in every inch OF his
stature. in every thought and fiber OF |
his splendid intellect and delightful per
sonality.
Let me end where I began: for We
still stand by the side Of the Father OF
Waters. I regret that the battle shin
winch but few weeks ago came and I
went. did not penetrate yet a little far /