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[48]

Editorial Paragraphs.


The Lee Mausoleum at Lexington, Virginia, has been put under contract, and the corner-stone was laid on the 28th of November. Professor J. J. White presided, Rev. Dr. W. N. Pendleton (the life-long friend of Lee and his Chief of Artillery during the war) offered the prayer, United States Senator R. E. Withers made an admirable address, and Hon. J. R. Tucker introduced General Joseph E. Johnston as “the life-long companion of Lee, his fellow-cadet at West Point, his sharer in the struggles, glories and disappointments of the unfortunate South, and the greatest surviving General of the war.”

In few, but very fitting, words General Johnston acknowledged the compliment paid him, spoke with pride of the fact that he was the “companion and friend of our beloved Lee from youth till God took him away,” and expressed his gratitude to the committee of the Memorial Association for giving him the privilege of being present “to witness and participate in this token of regard for Virginia's noblest son.” General Johnston then proceeded to deposit in the box in the corner-stone various appropriate articles; and the ceremonies being over, and the benediction pronounced, the crowd dispersed with three cheers for General Johnston.

The occasion was one of deep interest. We regretted that we were unable to accept a kind invitation to be present, and that our limited space admits of only this meagre notice.

But we avail ourselves of the occasion to make a brief statement of the origin and objects of the Lee Memorial Association. The very day on which General Lee died this association was organized by Confederate soldiers met in Lexington to do honor to the memory of our great chieftan.

The Association has acted from the beginning in strictest regard to the wishes of the Lee family. Mrs. Lee herself suggested as the artist Mr. Edward V. Valentine, of Richmond, whose bust of General Lee made the year before his death had given such entire satisfaction. Mrs. Lee also approved of Valentine's design of the recumbent figure. The completed figure in marble has not only given the highest satisfaction to all concerned, but has been pronounced by competent critics one of the finest works of art in the world. The Mausoleum is to contain this splendid creation of Valentine's genius — this fitting monument to deck the tomb of Lee. The Association have raised in all $22,000, and they now need only $5,000 to complete the Mausoleum. Surely the bare announcement that this small sum is all that is necesssary to complete this splendid monument will at once bring contributions from every quarter. We would be glad to receive and forward any sums which could not be as conveniently sent to the treasurer, C. M. Figgatt, Esq'r, Lexington, Virginia.

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