Southern Historical Society Papers, Volume 11.
Reverend J. William Jones, Ed.

[408] owe a debt of gratitude to Valentine. Here is the stone that will commemorate the virtues of the departed; but in the throbbing breasts before me I behold the living monument that more worthily attests his excellence. This beautiful tomb to cover his ashes is but the outward and visible symbol; the great and generous heart of the South is the true and noble sepulchre that enshrines the name and memory of Lee.

We have here to-day representatives of the civic and military virtues of this Commonwealth. You have heard the clarion tones of the great war-governor—a voice that has never faltered or given forth an uncertain sound. There is another here among us, a leader on stricken fields, that never quailed before face of man or blaze of battle, never elate in victory, and in defeat indomitable; the fearless guardian of the fame of Lee, of the honor of the dead Confederacy, of the slaughtered truth of history. You all know whom I mean— Early. I present him to you.

General Early then delivered a brief but characteristic address.

The figure was then placed in a room prepared for its temporary resting place, and the large assembly dispersed, elated with having spent a day in doing honor to the memory of the great and good man, whose noble person Valentine has so successfully reproduced.

The Lee Memorial Association takes pleasure in tendering its thanks to the escort of honor, students of Richmond College, who have accompanied the statue of General Lee and delivered it to the committee of the Association.

The very severe weather during the transportation made their labor of love and honor one of hardship also, and the propriety and delicacy with which the duty has been performed has increased the obligation of the Association.

The Association begs leave also to express its gratitude to the authorities and students of Richmond College, who have been so