The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-06-09

ba ptiZed with fire, may look to this
martial figure. riding serene and fear
less as OF old. as the noblest and
/ knightlest type of American man
! hood
And now, sir. as chief executive
of the ancient commonw wealth of Vir-
ginia. the mother of Washington and
Lee. | give into the keeping Of the
United States. OF which you are the
honored representative OF this aus"
picious occasion. this noble monu :
ment. which shall stand not only as
the undying expression OF the high
ideals In Whieh-we Of the South
would this day sanstify our memories,
but as fresh and abiding inspiration
to all men. North and South. who in
this trying day of our national ex-
istence would stand shoulder to
shoulder In defense Of our common
Accepted BY Ingraham.
The statue was accepted for the
government by william NJ. Ingraham,
assistant secretary OF war. who de-
clared 1t was chara cteristic OF the
American people that both North and
South could meet as one greaA re-
united family on the celebrated nelo.
Virginia knows how to honor those
that she loved and who fought and
ham. at is only natural and proper
for those who survive to honor those
who fell. It matters not whether they
be victors or the vanquished. as long
as their part was honorable and they
fought like men.
The LESSONS that we gather from
the battlefield on which we stand. the
inspiration that this monument gives
us. all go forth toward helping US
solve the difficulties Of the present
hour. The Civil war UP to the OUT
break OF the present conflict was the
greatest struggle the world had ever
seen. but now II sinks into Insight
ffcance. compared with the present
conflict
put those who took part In the
Civil war. and especially In the hat-
tie Of Gettysburg. realize what war
means and can best interpret the fuii
significance OF the present struggle
Leigh Robinsons Address.
The dedication address at the I'M
yelling of the Gettysburg monument
was delivered yesterday by Leigh Rob-
nson. of Washington. formerly OF
Richmond, and a son Of the late Con-
way Robinson. Leigh Robinson is
veteran of the Richmond Howitzers.
OF the Confederate army.
Quoting Associate Justice Brewer.
Of the United States supreme court,
when he made his famous address in
1907 on Lees birthday. Mr., Rohinsou
began,
Il vividly recall the pang l felt
when there was brought TO my house
the body OF n idolized brother. slain
in battle with the Army of Northern
Virginia At that moment | would
nave executed sentence OF death with
my own hand on General Lee. and
Vet am here tonight. and Willingly
here, 10 add my leaf to The immortal
wreath which time Is fashIoning Tor
the brow OF Lee"
The tribute" said Mr. Robinson,
rs fereefui one 10 the tffeiffethtttts
Of truth.
Referring TO the cause Of the
Southern states Mr., Robinson CON
tlnued
IT IS my cherished faith that what
is true Of Lee is true or the cause
We served. which pierced with wounds
for US is sacred. and crowned with
thorns for us IS holy. The story OF
fond faith for which glowing pieiies
LAID down their lives, laid down their
fortunes. laid down ali save sacred
honor. WIN grow RS time grows. Will
last while time lasts
He contended that the South had
made no mistake and defined his po-
tration before power is familiar. 1t
Is ancient, Il is Oriental 1t - pros
tration before the material. But
when we assemble 10 commemorate
to honor Talor reward
ed only by its wound, q sacTIhce
whose NM @4tassa '1s<sts cre,ss. "a Gyttea-.
nomenon is witnessed, not TO be ex-
planned b, pride. vain glory or ny
I ocrisy This is horror TO the ideal"
Here MIR. Robinson quoted from
famous men OF the day. statements
attesting 10 The prosperity OF the
t nion under Southern ieadership.
MIR Robinson discussed the slavery
question. recalling the instances when
Virginia wished to ban slave trade
and was prevented by Northern IN
terests. The South did not desert the
Union. the Union deserted the South.
said the speaker. for the SeptuagInt
OF honor, so extoiied, the South stood
T0r this II fell,
review OF the Gettysburg monu-
ment from the time II was suggested
IN 1897 by General Lindsey l.. Lomax,
To the unveilins. was followed by this
personal tribute TO Lee and his sol
diers.
An army steeled in battle shared
the jeopardy OF the captains. and was
yokefellow IN the glory. Commander
and commanded were one; courage
mated courage; consistency, constancy."
Reviews Lees Afe History.
Mr. Robinson reviewed the life his
tory of General Lee, whose figure
crowns the monument. saying among
others these tributes:
There Is lustre. in the moment.
when, putting aside the offer tknown
to have been made to HIND to take
command of the Union armies, he
gave his heart forever
to his mother state, and with both
hands embraced her perils Every
gift of fortune had been showered on
him. but he was greater than the
gifts. Every blow OF adversely was
raincd upon him. but he was greater
than the blows"
From the time Lee assumed COM
mand of the Army of Northern Nir-
sinia to the end of the war. Mr.. Rob-
nson reviewed strikiag incidents of
the battle around Sharpsburg and
chancellorsville. the march into Penn
sylvania, the famous battle of Gettys-
burg where Lee uttered the noble
words after his first repulse, "All this
has been my fault" and the battles
Of the Wilderness. The charge Of
old Texas brigade under {.reQN