New-York tribune., 1870-12-13
LIE IND 1H0M1S.

In his culOgy of Thomas, at the late meet
in Of the Army of the Cumberland Gen. Garfield, after
disposinc of the slander which Lee had chosen to
father concerning alleged purpose by Thomas to join
the forces Of the COnfederacy drew the following pun
gent comparison between the action Of Lee and Thomas
1t Is not enough 10 compare the conduct Of Thomas at
this trying period with that Of Northern officers who re-
manned true 10 the flag The real measure of his merit IL
found 10y comparing him with such men Lee and John
son We have seen that on the 2Oth OF April Robert H.
Lee resigned his commission, and on the day Nrote
to relative words which viii remain forever the most
veritablc picture OF his character He said:
The whole South is in state Of revolution, into wich
virginia, after long struggle, has been drawn; and
though recognize no necessity Tor TINS state OF things,
and would have forboDc and pleaded to the end for
dress Of grievances real supposed. yet In per
ron hdd 10 meet the question whether should take
part against my native state With all my devotion 10
The Unon aud the feelings of loyalty aud duty of an
American czen, have not been able t0 make up my
mind TO raise hand against my relatives my children,
and my home have therefore resigned my commission
Lee avows his devotion to the Union his feelings
Of loyalty and obligation American citizen and de-
cares th here was no necessity FOR the Rebellion and
yet after these confessions and declarations which
ton oi his conduct, he abandons his Government and
offers hs sword Ia Virginia and 10 that Rebellion which
he neither justified or approved His example was i'm
Inedatey followed by hundreds OF Southern officers.
Every officer o hs old regiment from the led states.
save two, joined the Rebellion. Thomas one OF the
two. Like Lee, he depcred the suicidal strife, and
denied the justice nor necessity OF rebellion.
family anl friends, To Virginia aud her glorious
traditions. Like Lee, ne acknOW Wedged hs Oil cations
10 great tfpubit winch d the people OI virginia
were czens ana 10 tHc support and defense Of which
hc had registered his solemn oath when be became sol
der. Bui unlike lee when the supreme hOui of tIial
came hr 10 The fu hight Of the great occtsoH and
cstcemlng the ucy ~ his oath and the life of the Re
prbc more prcruus than home, kindred State, he
drew bis sword e. pu, down rebellion which. even by
Lee confession. both and indc' nsihc
There Wa, one thing IN lies conduct which would
have beer impossible 10 Thomas- NATURE Though l-.
wrote his RESIGNATION Apnl 10 not accepted 10y
secretary ~ War m 'Et .5th. and the letter Of the Adlr
taut-Goucml informing him uf the acceptance not
written tll The 2h. le ia, 2Jd Ire accepted The
of Nai. General from the Rebel GOV, niUr
of Virginia, and the sImc day issued general ori.r
>,ufunE command Ui tue military aud NAVAL force, uf
that STATE which lurrcs. i've days before had attacked
thc troop, 90 tnr United Satrs at Ildprrs Ferry, aud
-O at tie G",puIt Navy Yard, and were a that moment
icNyiig MaT against tho Government which hr had sol
cihl, sworn tu defend against al It's enemies aud op
pOscrH Whatsoever Instead oi keeping this OATH Er
assumed command Of the enemies of the Union tWo ays
before Ia, contract ut service CuVclcd- contract
hic he had lately renewed hi accepting from Abraham
Lincoln the commission ui Colonel Ia the Army the
Uuited States.
II thero had been other sufficient motive the r"li
gOus respect with which Thomas circd hi oath would
alone have prevented him from following the example of
lee conclude the discussion of this topic by declaring
what doubt viii bc the just aud unaltcrihc vcrdi,l
ui history, that this doubling Thomas that
he did no, need to behold the bleeding wounds ~ hs
country before lac believed foi hi> duty was
The beginning aud hc ioo~cd t witaout muruur.