Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/102

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96

Southern Historical Society Paioers.

But, proudest, tenderest thought of all, the people of this bright Southland say, through this monument, to all the world :

" Such was he ; his work is done. But while the races of mankind endure, Let his great example stand, Colossal, seen of every land. And keep the soldier firm, the statesman pure. Till in all lands and through all human story, The path of Duty be the way to glory ! "

HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE R. E. LEE MONUMENTAL ASSOCIATION.

The R. E. Lee Monumental Association of New Orleans had its origin in that grand outburst of tributary grief at the death of Lee, which, while it covered his tomb with the votive offerings of the good and wise of all civilized nations, prostrated the people of the Southern States of this Union in peculiar and unutterable woe.

The Association was organized November i6th, 1870, with the fol- lowing officers and directors :

Wm. M. Perkins, G. T. Beauregard, a. w. bosworth, Wm. S. Pike, - Thos. J. Beck, James Strawbridge,

President.

First Vice- Presiden t.

Sec on d Vice - President.

Treasurer.

Recording Secretary.

Corresponding Secretary.

directors.

Hugh McCloskey, A. M. Fortier, Chas. E. Fenner, Wm. B. Schmidt, Wm. H. Dameron, W. N. Mercer, M. O. H. Norton,

Henry Renshaw, Edward Barnett, George Jonas, Abram Thomas, Lloyd R. Coleman, Ed.' A. Palfrey, Arch. Mitchell,

R. S. Morse, Samuel Boyd, S. H. Kennedy, Newton Richards, Jas. Jackson, E. A. Tyler, Ed. Bigney.

It is unnecessary to say why the enterprise languished. It was in those dark days when poverty sat by every honest hearthstone in New Orleans, and when the scanty remnant left by the greedy tax-