The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-02-01
General Lee.

While the Senators in Congress are
wrangling over the estate of General
Lee, it may not be inappropriate to
publish this beautiful and comprelren-
sive tribute which forms part ofthe in
trodnctory chapter of a biography of
the immortal commander, now in the
press of the Appletons, and soon to be
issued. Colonel John Esten Cooke,
tie author, writes as follows:
"The name of Lee is beloved and
respected throughout the world. Men
of all parties and opinions unitesin this
sentiment, not only those who thought
and fought with him, but those Most
violently opposed to his political views
and career. 1t is natural that his own
people should love and honor him as
| their great leader and defender III Il
struggle7o of intense bitterncss-tlat his
old enemies should share this profound
regard and admiration is due solely TO
the character of the individual. His
military genius will always be con-
coded, and his figure remain Il cOnspic-
nous landmark in history !; but this
does not account for the fact that his
very enemies love the man. His pri-
vate character is the origin of this SEN
timent. The people Of the North, no
less than the people Of the South, feel
that Lee was truly great; and the
harshest critic has been able to find
nothing to detract from this view OF
+ him. The soldier was great, but the
man was greater. No one was ever
simpler, truer, or mere honest.
"Those who knew him. best loved
him most. Reserved and silent, with
a bearing of almost austerc dignity, he
, impressed many persons as cold and
, unsympathetic, and his true character
was long in revealing itself to ths
world. To-day all men know what
f his friends knew during his. life-that
, under the grave exterior of the soldier
oppressed with care and anxiety, hea
, warm and kindly heart, full of al
f even extraordinary gentleness an
sweetness; that the man himself WA!
not cold, or still or harsh, but patient
, forbearing, charitable under many o
n his equanimity, and magnanimou
9 without effect, from the native impulse
). of his heart. Friend and foe thus to
a day regard him with much the Sam
!, sentiment, as genuinely honest man
+ incapable of Implicitly Ill thought o
deed, wholly true and sincere, inspire,
Is always under all temptations by tina
: priscd fdes which pniities and ennobles
J. and resolutely bent in the dark hou,
q as in the bright, OH the full perfol
i nance of his duty. DUTY is the ST
- biimest word in orr language he wrot
~ to his son; and, if we add that othe
~ august maxim, Human virtue shout
~ he equal to human calamity we sha
:, have in few words a summary of I'll
20 principles which inspired Lee.
~ "Thc browning grace of this MAJ
~ who was thus, not only great but goo'
. was the humility and trust in Co
!, which lay at the foundation of Il
>, character. Upon this point we sha
49, quote the words of a gentleman OF con
N manding intellect, Il bitter opponent
s. the South in the war:
. "'Lce is worthy of all praise. AS
W. man, he was fearless among men.
=. "A soldier, he had no superior and
%, equal. In the course OF Nature n
- career on earth may soon terminal
W. God grant that, when the day of Il
,,a death shall come, l may look up
=. Heaven with that confidence aud fai
,,o which the life and character of Robe
Le E. Lee gave him. He died trusting
~ Nv God as Il good man, with a good Ii
no and pure conscience"
-, ale had lived, as he died, with Il
~ supreme trust in an everything a
- merciful Providence; and this sen
:, ment pervading his whole being, W
en- the origin of that august calmness wi
~ ID which he greeted the most crushi
~ disasters of his military career. /
III faith and humble trust sustained h
II after the war, when the woes of t
m South well nigh broke bis great spin
MS and he calmly expired, as a wea
w. childs asleep, knowing that its fail
Is is near"
On,