Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/107

 Ceremonies at Unveiling of Statue of General Lee. 101

Mr. A. C. Doyle, of New York, whose growing reputation will surely be confirmed and extended thereby.

I experience a peculiar pleasure in finding our city represented in her chief officer by one who was a distinguished soldier under Lee, and who was at the same time an active member of the Association and contributed valuable aid in the successful accomplishment of our enterprise.

Louisiana is entitled to a full share in the glory of Lee. Her sons illustrated b}^ their valor every field on which his fame was won.

To her chief city we confide this monument, with full assurance that she will appreciate and preserve it as one of her most precious possessions.

Thereupon Mayor Behan arose and responded as follows :

Mr. Chairvia7i a7id Gentlemen of the Lee Monumental Association :

In accepting at your hands, and receiving into the charge of the city of New Orleans the monument which now completed, so proudly stands as an enduring tribute to valor, worth and military genius, it is indeed difficult to sufficiently acknowledge the appreciation and respect with which our public must regard the affectionate devotion of those who have contributed to its construction.

This shaft has been erected as a tribute to the greatness and virtue of one of the purest and noblest men whose names are written in modern history.

General Lee was not only illustrious as a great commander, but he was also great in all those attributes which might constitute a bril- liant exemplar of the highest civilization.

Gentlemen, it needed not this monument to perpetuate the name and fame of General Lee. His deeds are his monument, and they will survive and continue in remembrance long after this marble shall have crumbled into dust ; his great example will outlive the brush of the painter and the chisel of the sculptor, for great examples are indeed imperishable:

"They will resist the empire of decay, When time is o'er and worlds have passed away; Cold in the dust the perished heart may He, But that which warmed it once can never die."

After the conclusion of the presentation, the Board of Directors, in company with Bishop Galleher, proceeded to the statue, and the