Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 17.djvu/223

 The Monument to General Robert E. Lee. 215

Twin ** rebels " side by side — And confronting such a vision All our grief gives place to pride.

These two shall ride immortal And shall ride abreast of Time ; Shall light up stately history And blaze in Epic Rhyme- Both patriots, both Virginians true, Both " rebels/* both sublime.

Our past is full of glory,

It is a shut-in, sea,

The Pillars overlooking it

Are Washington and Lee : —

And a future spreads before us

Not unworthy of the free.

And here and now, my Countrymen,

Upon this sacred sod.

Let us feel : it was " Our Father **

Who above us held the rod,

And from hills to sea,

Like Robert Lee,

Bow reverently to God.

Captain McCabe's recitation of the poen) was frequently inter- rupted with applause.

THE ORATION OF COLONEL CHARLES MARSHALL.

General Early then introduced Colonel Marshall, Lee*s military secretary, who spoke as follows :

It is now more than twenty-two years since the last gun was fired in the war between the States, and more than twenty- one years ago the blessed return of peace was proclaimed throughout the land. All who hear my voice are citizens of the Union established by the war, and from the Potomac to the Rio Grande the authority of the Fede- ral Government is undisputed, its laws are obeyed, its benefits are acknowledged, and to defend it against enemies at home and abroad is accepted as the first duty of every citizen of the mighty republic throughout its wide borders. And yet we are gathered here to-day to lay the corner-stone of a monument to one who is generally re- garded as the most formidable enemy that the Federal Government ever encountered, and to make known to all men our veneration for his exalted character, our admiration for his great deeds, and our