Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 18.djvu/155

 Robert Edward Lee. 155

out of the dark and narrow bondage of royal tyranny into the broad light of republican freedom.

"REBEL" he was to those who denied the chartered liberties of his struggling countrymen, but to-day, under every sun and in every clime, the name of this "rebel" is to all freemen the synonym of constitutional liberty.

And yet had not success been his, Washington were none the less a patriot and a champion of freedom.

HER GREAT SON OF A SECOND REVOLUTION.

Thus it is that Virginia, true to the ennobling traditions of that mighty past, which teaches us that patriotism is patriotism and that Principle is principle whether glorified by victory or shrouded in defeat, has reared a monument no less impressive and enduring to her greatest son of our second revolution the peer in military genius, in patriotism, in constancy, and valor of that immortal "Rebel" whose good blade carved out the freedom of the Western World.

"And here and now, my countrymen,

I tell you Lee shall ride With that great ' Rebel ' down the years,

Twin ' Rebels,' side by side And confronting such a vision, All our grief gives place to pride."

" Those 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."

BANQUET AND TOASTS.

After the exercises at the Capitol the society and its guests repaired to the Kimball House, where an elegant banquet was spread. It was the first annual banquet of the society, and no pains were spared to make it a perfect success in every particular. The speakers were as follows : Captain W. Gordon McCabe, Governor W. J. Northen, Mayor W. A. Hempphill, Colonel W. L. Calhoun, Hon. Clark Howell, Hoke Smith, Rev. Dr. George B. Strickland, and Major J. C. Courtney.