Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 28.djvu/243

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who put aside the highest honors th;it hi- might stand with his peo- ple and country, will j^o down to history as the peerless man, the man who brought to this great cause the greatest talents, wonderful judgment, and noblest panotism than which no greater gifts were r given to man. We have seen pictures and statues of Lee, but none could ever convey the idea of the man, for none could ever depict him as his old soldiers saw him. Only those who knew him and had seen him riding along the long line of men who bowed at his word could comprehend the man he was. He was the most in- comparable warrior and peerless gentleman of modern times. Grand in character, when the war was over, and he looked into the desolate faces of his old soldiers, and bade them goodbye, what did he do but set an example to American manhood by accepting a subordi- nate position, comparatively, as president of a college, and begin- ning life all over again. Ever since that fatal day when he laid down the most spotless sword that was ever wielded, he has stood as the incarnate representation of the incomparable soldier, the true gentle- man.

Mr. Marks concluded by saying that he was only a business man, unused to public speaking, and all unworthy to handle the great theme thai had been assigned him. But he was a soldier and had a soldiers' reverence for Robert Lee. If these few remarks could add anything to the evening of a day sacred in the heart of the south, he was glad to lay this simple thought at the feet of his old commander.

Mrs. Smith introduced Dr. Tichenor, who read in a beautiful and dramatic manner, Father Ryan's noble poem, "The Sword of Robert Lee."

Continuing, Dr. Tichenor said that he felt that at the mention of the name of Robert Lee every man and woman of the South should bow their heads and thank God that to this age and generation had been given such a man.

Mrs. William H. Dickson then read a beautiful tribute penned to the memory of General Lee, in answer to the New York Sun's attack, by John G. Hood, of Meridian, Miss.

After this beautiful reading the following beautiful poem, from the pen of our sweet southern songbird,

MARY ASHLEY TOWNSEND,

was read by Colonel W. R. Lyman. Mr. Lyman read the poem with great force and diction, and every word sank as a note that