The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1870-10-20
DEATH OF ROBERT LEE.


Late dispatches announce that on the MORN
inc of October 18th, at halt past O'CLOCK
Robert Edmund Lee, the heroic commander
Of the Confederate armies during the civil war;
died ut his residence in Lexington, Virginia
For several days past the telegraph had con,
waved vague rumors of the serious illness OF
the great Confederate chieftain, but the con-
Trajectory tenor of the dispatches had led us
TO believe that the reports OF his having sui
s.rsd paralytic stroke were altogether I'M
true. These hopes are radely and suddenly
dispelled by the news of his death
Cen Lee was born in Westmoreland county.
Virginia, in 1906, and was therefore in his olth
wear Mt the time of his death. 1t would DC
work of supererogation. as well as. an exhioi-
ton of assurance, on our part to attempt 10
write an euogy upon the character aud lie OF
Lee. He requires no eulogy. His services 10
his country in the Mexicaa war have become
a matter of history. The military genius he
d,splayed as commander OF the Army ot North
ern Virginia during the war between the States
won for him the admiration OF his enemies III
war. and forced from the military critics oil
Europe the reluctant admission that he was
the greatest soldier OF the age; and tins opinion
was conceded in even by the Generals OF the
Union armies many of whom receiTed ut his
hands severe and terrible lessons IN the ART OF
war. His private character was without u
spot or blemish, aud while his motives for cast
ing his fortunes with his native State ana III
drawing his sword in her defense, might have
been impugned by few bigoted and narrow
minded fanatics, the masses Of the American
people know that his course was dictated by
his conscientious convictions Of duty To the
State which gave him birth. His genius rs Il
soldier is undmmed by the lustre OF any other
name. Of ancient or OF modern times. and his
deeds in behalf Of the Cuniedcrary viii BE- tho
theme Of story and OF song so long as feeling
nj admiration for chivalry and true greatness
shall animate the hearts Of the American pco-
pie. Nothing said or written can add To or de-
tract irom his fame as 4 Christian soldier. an
honest man and true gentleman; and while
yirginians may well feel proud that their glo-
rious old Commonwealth has been prolific
in giving birth TO such heroes and statesmen
IA Washington. Jefferson. and Lee, yet We
claim, rs Americans. that their fame is the
common property of the whole country. No
geographical lines can coniine ar circunscrsbe
the people who mourn the death OF such man
as Lee II has been said that " the evil men
do lives after them; the good il OF Inferred
with their bones" While we are perhaps par.
tial enough 10 believe that no evil can be- Justly
attributed to the great Southern Chiritaln. We
know that the good which he has done can
never be- buried or forgotten. and the memory
Of bis virtues and his achievements viii -four.
ish green in the memory OF his countrymcn.
and the name Of Lee will be- transmitted TO
postcrity, until time shall be no more, "a that
of a man in whom the elements Of true great
ness were so combined that nature seems to
have surpassed herself and made but one such
man. and then to hare broken the mould