President Davis on General Lee.
We regret that we have space left for only the following brief extract from Mr. Davis's eulogy on General Lee at the great ‘Lee Memorial’ meeting in Richmond, the 3rd of November, 1870:* * * * * ‘Robert E. Lee was my associate and friend in the Mliitary Academy, and we were friends until the hour of his death. We were associates and friends when he was a soldier and I a congressman; and associates and friends when he led the armies of the Confederacy and I presided in its cabinet. We passed through many sad scenes together, but I cannot remember that there was ever aught but perfect harmony between us. If ever there was difference of opinion it was dissipated by discussion, and harmony was the result. I repeat we never disagreed, and I may add that I never in my life saw in him the slightest tendency to self-seeking. It was [429] not his to make a record; it was not his to shift blame to other shoulders; but it was his, with an eye fixed upon the welfare of his country, never faltering, to follow the line of duty to the end. His was the heart that braved every difficulty; his was the mind that wrought victory out of defeat. He has been charged with “want of dash.” I wish to say that I never knew Lee to falter to attempt anything ever man could dare.’ * * * * * *
