Evening star., 1935-10-13
PRESIDENT LAUDS
LEE AS V|RG|N|ANS
DEDICATE SHRINE
High Officials Gather at
Stratford for CoIorfuI
Ceremony.
LAST STAFF MEMBER
OF GENERALS PRESENT
Leaders Bravery in Taking Con-
sequences of Acts Praised
by Freeman.
BY JAMES E. CHINN,

BY JAMES E. CHINN,
Staff Correspondent Of The Star.
STRATFORD-ON-THE POTOMAC.
October 12.-Virginia gave to the
Nation today another historic shrine
-Stratford, the ancestral home of the
famous Lee family which has been
restored to its early Colonial brilliancy
with the contributions of the people
Of both the North and South and
several foreign countries.
The dedication attracted to West
moreland County one Of the most dis
tinguished crowds that ever came to-
gether in Virginias Northern Neck.
High Government officials joined with
Virginia's leaders and the proud de-
scendants of the Old Dominions FAM
lilies whose names have gone down in
history in celebrating the restoration
Of the beautiful property near the
banks of the winding Potomac.
President Roosevelt. though miles
away, took part in the ceremonies by
sending a special message in which
he described the restored Stratford
as "a shrine to the great American
family and especially to the memory
of that very great gentleman. Robert
E. Lee" Also, said the President,
Stratford "is equally a permanent me-
mortal to brave, sound civilization
for which America will always be
grateful"
The Presidents message was read
by Assistant Secretary of State r.
Walton Moore, who for many years
represented Virginia in Congress be-
fore taking the cabinet post.
Tribute of Roosevelt.
Il always think of myself as re-
dlscoverer of Stratford," said the
President. Probably there were many
others who, like myself, stumbled upon
the Stratford of 20 years ago. I knew
OF its existence. of course. but not its
precise location. When, therefore, a
party OF us who were serving in the
Wilson administration landed from
the small presidential yacht Sylph at
an apparently uninhabited section of
the lower Potomac and Stratford ap-
peared before us as we strolled inland,
we felt the thrill of a Balboa upon a
peak of Darien. The amazing dignity
of the great house. Of the outbuildings
and barns, transcended the want of
repair and the lack of accessibility.
Many times after that I returned to
visit DR.. Stuart and to wander with
him through the rooms and then up
to the roof to see If aught remained
Of the original glimpse Of the Potomac.
1T is right and fitting that STRAIT
ford is being made once more shrine
to which the lovers of the history of
our land can come from every part
Of the Nation. 1t is shrine dedicated
to great American family and
especially to the memory of that very
great gentleman, Robert E. Lee. 1t
is equally permanent memorial to a
brave, young civilization for which
modern America will always be
grateful"
The ceremonies were held on the
broad, freshly clipped lawn in front
of the rehabilitated old Lee mansion
Seats, dozen rows deep, filled with
dignitaries from the four corners of
the country, spread out in a semi
circle before the immense brick build
ing. Behind them stood hundreds
farmers from all parts Of the Northern
Neck and admirers of the Lee family
from many other places.
The centerpiece of that picture was
the speakers platform, flanked with
the flags of the Union, the Confeder-
acy and Virginia's own emblem. On
it sat the principals in the ceremony,
the most colorful of whom was 97-
year-old Maj. Giles B. Cooke, the last
member of Gen. Lees staff.
who served with him throughout the
War Between States, first as an as
sistant adjutant and later as inspec-
tor general.
Mrs. Wilson Present.
Behind the platform a detachment.
Of white plurhed Virginia Blues stood
at attention. In front of them sat
such celebrities as Mrs. Woodrow Will
son, widow of the wartime President;
Newton D. Baker, who served as VIII
sons War Secretary: Mrs. James
Roosevelt. mother of the President;
former Gov. Pollard of Virginia,
George Boiling Lee of New York,
grandson of the Confederate chief
tain, and Mrs. Charles D. Lanier Of
Connecticut, president Of the Robert
E. Lee Memorial Foundation, which
directed the restoration Of the historic
home.
Gov. George c. Peery of Virginia
took an active part in the ceremonies
by stressing the historic value of
Stratford to the Nation. and paying
tribute to the organization, which
had charge of its restoration as a
historic shrine for American posterity.
Gov. Peery also touched the high
lights Of Lees contribution to Ameri-
can history, and described him as zone
of the noblest, tragic figures the world
ever produced"
Washington, Lincoln, Grant and
other leading figures in American his
tory were great" Gov. Peery pointed
out, because they were successful, but
Lees greatness was emphasized be-
cause he "withstood defeat" He said
too, 1t was "a source of qualification"
that the tribute to Lees greatness
came not only from the South, but
from the North and the world at
large.
DR.. Douglas Southall Freeman,
Richmond editor, who wrote "R. E.
Lee," which took the Pulitzer prize
award in biography this year. deliv-
cred the dedicatory speech and lauded
the records Of the Lee family In citi-
zenship and public service, and the |
courage with which they made deci-
sions and accepted the consequences
,f their acts.
DR.. Freeman said citizenship was
the loftiest Of avocations. but that |
universal suffrage, with . system Of