Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 17.djvu/199

 The Monument to General Robert K Lee, 191

of all that is mortal of our beloved commander. This is a question, at this time, solely for the determination of the immediate family of General Lee. I am sure that the soldiers who followed him through such dreadful trials, will have regard for the wishes of that noble Virginia matron, who, being allied to Washington, has through life been the cherished bosom companion of Lee.

" Comrades, I am more than gratified at the fact that the great statesman and patriot who presided over the destinies of the Con- federate States — who selected General Lee to lead her armies, and gave him the entire confidence throughout all his glorious career — is here to mingle his grief with ours, and to join in paying tribute to the memory of him we mourn.*'

PRESIDENT DAVIS.

In these words the speaker introduced President Davis, and as that revered form arose to answer the summons, it was greeted with a burst of irrepressible enthusiasm. His address enchained the attention and thrilled every heart from the beginning to the end.

The following is fitly extracted from his touching utterances :

'* Soldiers and Sailors of the Confederacy ^

Countrymen and Friends :

" Assembled on this sad occasion, with hearts oppressed with grief that follows the loss of him who was our leader on many a bloody battle- field, there is a melancholy pleasure in the spectacle which is presented. Hitherto, in all times, men have been honored when successful, but here is the case of one who, amid disaster, went down to his grave, and those who were his companions in misfortune have assembled to honor his memory. It is as much an honor to you who give as to him who receives, for above the vulgar test of merit, you show yourselves competent to discriminate between him who enjoys and him who deserves success.

" Robert E. Lee was my associate and friend in the military acad- emy, and we were friends until the hour of his death. We were associates and friends when he was a soldier and I was a con- gressman, and associates and friends when he led the armies of the Confederacy and I held civil office, and, therefore, I may claim to speak as one who knew him. In the many sad scenes and perilous circumstances through which we passed together, our conferences were frequent and full, yet never was there an occasion on which