Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 17.djvu/197

 The Monument to General Robert E, Lee, 189

modes of traveling, very many of us were debarred the privilege of participating in the funeral ceremonies of attending the burial of him we loved so well, or by concerted action of giving expression to our feelings on the occasion. While the unburied remains of the illustrious hero were yet under the affectionate care of friends who were bowed down with a sorrow unutterable, the hoarse cry of " trea- son *' was croaked from certain quarters for the vile and abortive purpose of casting a stigma upon his pure and exalted character. His fame belongs to the world and to history, and is beyond the reach of malignity ; but a sacred duty devolves upon those whom, in defense of a cause he believed to be just, and to which he remained true to the latest moment of his life, he led so often to battle, and for whom he ever cherished the most affectionate regard, we owe it to our fallen comrades, to ourselves, and to posterity, by some suitable and lasting memorial, to manifest to the world, for all time to come, that we were not unworthy to be led by our own immortal chief, and that we are not now ashamed of the principles for which Lee fought and Jackson died. Already some steps have been taken by some Confederate officers and soldiers, assembled at Lexington, the place of General Lee's death and burial, to inaugurate a memorial associa- tion ; and being, as I believe, the senior in rank of all the officers of the Army of Northern Virginia now living in the State, I respect- fully suggest and invite a conference at Richmond, on Thursday, the 3d day of November next, of all the survivors of that army, whether officers or privates, in whatever State they may live, who can con- veniently attend, for the purpose of securing concert of action in re- gard to the proceeding contemplated. I would also invite to that conference the surviving officers and soldiers of all the other Con- federate armies as well as the officers, sailors and marines of the Con- federate navy. The call would have been made sooner, but for my absence, up to this time, in a country where there are no railroads or telegraphs, and where 1 was detained by imperative duties. " Your friend and late fellow-soldier,

'*JuBAL A. Early. "Lynchburg, Va., October 24, 1870,*'

Pursuant to this call there assembled at the First Presbyterian Church, in Richmond, on Thursday evening, November 3d, 1870, the grandest gathering of Confederate soldiers which had met since the war. This church then stood upon the upper portion of the site now occupied by our imposing City Hall.