Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/106

 100 Southern Historical Society Papers.

After consideration and discussion, the following resolutions were proposed and unanimously adopted :

Whereas, the immense audience assembled this day at Lee Statue has signalized the veneration and respect in which the people of New Orleans hold the memory of Robert E. Lee, and the enthusiastic ap- proval with which they regard the erection of the monument to him; and, whereas, a postponement of the ceremonies could add nothing to the tribute already paid thereby :

Be it resolved, That the oration prepared for the occasion be pub- lished ; that the Mayor being present, the presentation of the monu- ment to the city of New Orleans by the President of this association, be forthwith made ; that the directors of the association proceed im- mediately to the statue, and that the Bishop, J. N. Galleher, here present, be requested to invoke the blessing of Almighty God upon the work, and that the ceremonies of the occasion be then considered as concluded.

Resolved, That the Board of Directors tender their thanks to the Grand Army of the Republic, the Associations of the Armies of Northern Virginia and of Tennessee, the militia of the State and all visiting organizations, as well as to the patriotic women and men of the South, for their attendance in such enormous numbers, and ex- press their regret that the storm prevented the completion of the cere- monies.

After the adoption of the foregoing resolution, Hon. Charles E. Fenner, President of the Association, arose and addressed Mayor Behan as follows :

Mr. Mayor : As President of the R. E. Lee Monumental Associa- tion, and in its behalf, I have now the honor of presenting the monu- ment this day unveiled, through you to the city of New Orleans.

What I have to say touching the illustrious man to whom it is erected has been uttered in another form.

The immense outpouring of the people of New Orleans which con- gregated around the statue to-day, defying the elements until all hope of further proceedings had to be abandoned, testifies to the deep and enthusiastic veneration with which his memory is revered by the women and men of the South.

The design of the monument and its construction up to the base of the statue are the work of our home architect, Mr, John Roy; while the statue itself is the production of a young American sculptor,