Year: 1872

Richmond Dispatch.l


The Senate Hall was crowded to its
utmost capacity last night by the old
soldiers Of Lee, while the gallery was
filled with the noble women who min
istered to the 'boys in gray" during the
days Of the war, and were present to
smile upon the survivors.


1t was pleasant to see in the garb of
quiet citizens so many of the men who
won the imperishable fame of our grand
old army, and to witness their cordial
greetings.


AS General Early, General Fitz Lee,
and others of our leaders entered the
hall they were greeted with loud ap-
plause.


The meeting was opened with prayer
by Rev. DR.. Minningerode.


General Fitz Lee called the melting to
order, expressing his deep sense of the
honor done him in being called to Dre-
side over the survivors of our noble
army, who must decrease in numbers
every year, but whom he hoped would
meet each year as long as one survived.


He regretted that General Gordon
had been prevented by sickness in his
family from being present and making
his promised address, but took great
pleasure in introducing a gallant soldier,
Colonel Joseph Mayo, who had at the
last moment consented to address the
meeting.


He elOquently eulogized the Southern
soldier, told the story Of hisnOble deeds,
and defended him from the charge Of
having been a 'rebel," so freely made
by the conquerer and the newly f1edged
"loyAlist," who, in eager search for
office, has deserted our ranks. He
ably argued that brute force can never
settle great principales, and that we
may calmly and proudly await the
verdict Of impartial history for a full
vindication of the purity of our motives
and our conduct during the great strug-
gle. He quoted from Mr.. Everettis
Oration at Gettysburg, and ably and
scathingly refuted its positions.


Colonel Mayo was received with APP
plause, and gracefully introduced his
subject.


He eloquently argued that just as the
"rebel" George Washington is now re-
cognized in England as one of the noblest
of his race, so the day viii come when
even upon the floor of Congress the
character Of Lee and Jackson will be
vindicated, and their true position as
signed them.


After Colonel Mayo's address, General
Early was called out and greeted with
the loudest applause. He regarded, not
withstanding the eloquent speech of the
gallant Colonel Mayo, the absence of
the distinguished soldier from Georgia
General Gordon) who has been ready
to obey every call of duty.


II he were TO say all that he felt about
this army of Northern Virginia, he did
not know how many books he would
write.


The history of that army has been
made, and is yet to be written. Some
say we must forget the deeds of that
army, but we are not going to forget
them.


Success is no criterion by which his
tory will judge, and we must not let il
be so in our case.


II the Army of NOthern Virginia had
nothing but give to the world Lee and
jackson, it would be entitled to ever
lasting gratitude.


The survivors of the army should fur
nlsh material from which in the future
the history shall be so written that men
will be proud to be descendants of sol
diers who fought in the army Of North
ern Virginia, and have not deserted to
the enemy since the war. .r6


He thought that the private soldier
who fought his way through al d has
been true TO his colors since is entitled TO
higher honor than any who had rank