“Scott maintained that Lee was the greatest soldier in the army.  His discerning eye compared men; and I remember when, in some respects, I thought General Lee’s military education had not fitted him for the great talents which he was destined to display.  I remember when General Scott made use of these remarkable words:  ’I tell you one thing, if I was on my death-bed, and knew there was a battle to be fought for the liberties of my country, and the President was to say to me, “Scott, who shall command?” I tell you that, with my dying breath, I should say Robert Lee.  Nobody but Robert Lee!  Robert Lee, and nobody but Lee!’ That impressed me very much, because, at the beginning of the campaign, Lee was not prosperous; and why? because he was building up his men with that science which he possessed.  His great qualities were discerned not after his remarkable campaigns; but, long before it, his name was regarded with that respected preeminence to which it did rise under that campaign.  And I now say, and even opposite officers will admit, that no man has displayed greater power, more military ability, or more noble traits of character, than Robert E. Lee.  Therefore it is that America has lost much.  Europe will testify this as well as ourselves in this local community.  Europe will weigh this, but after-ages will weigh him with Moltke and Bazaine, with the Duke of Magenta, and with all military men, and, in my judgment, those ages will say that the greatest fame and ability belonged to Robert Lee.  But let us look to his moral character, to which I have already alluded.  Through his whole life he had been a fervent and simple Christian; throughout his campaigns he was a brave and splendid soldier.  If you ask of his friends, you will find that they adore him.  If you ask his character from his enemies, you will find that they respect him, and respect is the involuntary tribute which friend and enemy alike have to pay to elevated worth; and, to-day, as the bells toll, their sounds will vibrate with the tenderest feelings through every noble heart.  Public confessions of his worth and his greatness will be made through thousands of the towns and cities throughout this broad land; and, even where they are silent, monitors within will tell that a great spirit hath fled.  This secret monitor will tell that a great and good man has passed away, who has left, in my opinion, no equal behind him.”

REV.  DR. HENDERSON.

“Since the announcement of the death of Robert E. Lee, I have been momentarily expecting the appearance of a call to pay some tribute to his splendid memory; but, if a notice had been given of this meeting, it altogether escaped my attention, else I would have been here freely and voluntarily.  If I am a stranger in Lexington, and my lot has been cast here only during the last three weeks, yet I am happy that my fellow-citizens here have paid me such great respect as to call on me, on such an occasion as the present, to testify to the greatness and glory of General Robert E. Lee.  Some public calamity is required to bring us into one great brotherhood.  ’One touch of Nature makes the whole world kin.’  Though you are all strangers to me, yet, in that common sympathy which we all feel, we are mourners together at the bier of departed worth.