Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 17.djvu/253

 The Monument to General Robert E. Lee, 245

as to what they should do. Some, unable to reconcile themselves to submission to the Government of the United States, sought homes and service in foreign lands. Others doubted whether they should stand aloof and let things take their course, or whether they should, with good will and cheerfulness, perform the new duties that de- volved upon them. The advice and example of General Lee did more to incline the scale in favor of a frank and manly adoption of that course of conduct which tended to the restoration of peace and harmony than all the Federal garrisons in all the military districts.

But I shall not attempt to put his noble sentiments in my unworthy words. You shall hear them in his own words — words that I think should be inscribed upon the pedestal of this statue as a more faith- ful representation of the man than the art of the sculptor can pro- duce. Hear him, all ye sons of the Republic :

tkeniy nor indisposed me to serve them; nor^ in spite of failures ^ which I lament y of errors, which I now see and acknowledge, or^ of the present aspect of affairs, do 1 despair of the future. This truth is this : The march of Providence is so slow, a7id our desires so im- patient ^ the work of progress is so immense, and our means of aiding it so feeble, the life of humanity is so long, and that of the individual so brief, that we often see only the ebb of the advancing wave, and are thus discouraged. It is history that teaches us to hope, * *
 * * A^ experience of men has neither disposed me to think worse of

Colonel Marshall's able speech was listened to with profound atten- tion, and was frequently and loudly applauded, while his allusions to General Early as the last to secede, his tribute to the military genius of Lee, his tribute to President Davis, some of the incidents which he related, and his peroration, elicited enthusiastic applause and cheers.

GENERAL HAMPTON.

In response to loud and persistent calls General Hampton came forward, was greeted with loud cheers, and made a few stirring remarks. He said that he regarded Lee as even greater than Wash- ington, and spoke of the enthusiastic love which the people of the South Carolina bore for Lee.

General Early took occasion to correct Colonel Marshall in saying that he was * * the last secessionist,' * and said that he had never sece- ded, but that when he signed the ordinance of secession it was with the statement entered on the record that Abraham Lincoln, his aiders