Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-05-05

introduced Dr. Parker Of Boston, and all
the party in succession"
awe all soon arose, and DR.. Parker
said to him that we were on n humane mis-.
sion, and hoped he sympathized with it.
He said that he did, and continued that
these associations had done much good, and
he hoped they would continue their efforts.
He then gave us all his hand very cordial
y, calling us all by name as we parted, with
the best of wishes. He and his staff were
dressed in Confederate gray"
All this seems to us in the worst possible
taste; and there is something more than
question of taste underlying It. The hom-
age to Lee is sad evidence how readily the
convictions Of well-meaning people yield to
sentimental notions ON subjects they have
specifically considered. We are not about
to advocate that Ice or'anybody else ought
to be hanged-that matter rests, to great
extent with President Johnson-but there
is wide difference between not hanging
traitor and taking him into your confidence
and affections, or showering honors upon
him as upon one who had deserved well of
his country. If Lees admirers are asked
to justify their adulation, they will nut il
on the ground that he is an able soldier
perhaps with the additional assurance that
he is a gentlemanl But for our part the
feeling excited by the use of military talent
for the destruction of the country which
educated it, is not admiration, and VIC fail
to see how the possession of polished man.
ners can excuse treason. And these are
considerations more to the point.
Robert Il. Lee is one of the men who
deliberately determined to betray his coun.
try. For many of his comrades there is
the excuse-such as it is-of passion or
excitement. They were carried away by
Il popular frenzy-were victims, il YOU
please, of the process known as "frine the
Southern heart" But Lee can plead no
such apology. He saw and felt the enor.
nifty Of the crime he was about to commit.
After long reflection it was, that he decided
TO become traitor. While meditating
treason, he retained his commission. and
his close relation to the Commanding.Gen.
eral Of the United States armies. When
he made the plunge he made it with his
eyes open. Such man is more guilty
than any other.
During his four years of warfare on tho
Union, he was responsible for the worst
crimes committed in the name of Re-
bellion. During the last three years he
was the most trusted and influential of the
Rebel military leaders. During the last
two, he might at any time have made his
will law on any military question. Yet
there is not in existence a syllable of pro.
test from Lee against any of the barbarities
which have been practiced by the Soutb
in the conduct of the war The massacre
at Fort Pillow evoked no expression of dis.
approval from him. Tho systemized star.
vation OF Union prisoners went on without
objection, not only ut distance, but under
his eyes. His headquarters at Richmond
were in sight Of Belle Isle and Libby prison
where our men froze and starved by the
thousand. A word from him could have
reached Andersonville at any moment, but
IT was never sent His memory will be
blackened with the infamy of sixty thou.
sand murders he might have prevented
nay, which were committed presumably
with his express approval. lie, of course,
knew what was doing he presumably
counseled it; he certainly approved il
Nor is he repentant Rebel pleading
for pardon. What says his farewell order
to the army he had surrendered?
"fou will take with you the satisfaction
that proceed from the consequences Of duty
faithfully performed and earnestly pray
that merciful God will extend You his
blessing and protection. With an iacyeas-
ing admiration of your constancy and de.
Votion to your country, and a grateful re.
meembranee of your kind and generous con.
sideration of myself, l bid YOU an afIec-
tlonate farewell. r. E. LEE, Gen'l."
Just as much traitor in defeat as before,
and his regret is not for his treason, but
that it was unsuccessful treason, Honor
to such man is dishonor to every soldier
who has fought % save tic Union he fought
TO destroy. Let him pass into obscurity,
If he shrinks from meeting the legal con
sequences of his protracted criminality.
Mercy to any extent that is not inconsist.
ent with public safety, oblivion even Of
Libby and Andersonville-but no more of
honor to him whom we pardon. lie will
take bis own place in history; to the ver-
diet of posterity We are content to leave him.
1t will be more terrible than any which
twelve good men and true impaneled to
Try hun for treason, could pronounce. ~.