Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/69

Rh God anoint us in this moment

Of memorial for the dead—

For the once contending armies

Now united overhead—

For the Blue and Gray together

That so bravely fought and fell,

When the North and South divided—

Faced the flashing flame of hell.

They are looking from the Heavens

On this hallowed scene today,

And the pipes of peace are playing

To their spirits' gentle sway.

While we rear the solid column,

Rear it high that men may see

How the valiant honor valor—

How the brave remember Lee.

Ladies and Gentemen:

If I appear before you in the double capacity of President of the R. E. Lee Monumental Association and of orator of the day, it is not of my seeking, but in obedience to the unanimous will of my brother officers and directors, who have imposed on me the task of commemorating the character, the deeds and the cause of Lee, in words, as this monumental tribute was designed to commemorate them in perennial bronze and stone.

It is now nearly two years since this summons came to me; and during that time, at such intervals as a somewhat busy life afforded, I have devoted myself to the study of the memorial records of Lee, with growing wonder at the purity of his life, the moral grandeur of his character and the splendor of his achievements.

Amazed at the glowing picture, and little disposed to believe in human perfection, I have, with the eye of the critic, sought to discover whether eulogy had not distorted truth, and whether, after all, this man was not too great to be so good, or too good to be so great as he is painted.

Unless it was my honest and considerate belief I would not insult the divine modesty of the spirit of Lee by proclaiming as I do that he was "the cunning'st pattern of excelling nature" that was ever