Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-07-20
GEN. LEGS UNsELFIsHNEss.

GEN. LEES ONSELEA
The following "reminiscences of Gen.
Lee are taken from the Christian O5-
server, of Richmond, edited by veneer
able Presbyterian clergyman. The So
briefly, the self poise, the unfAiliDg recd-
tude of intention of the Confederate COM
mander have been always as well under
stood as his military genius. But
the entire u1selfi shness of the
man is not, perhaps, as gener-
ally known as we find it illustrated
in the following anecdotes. 1t may be
the fashion 10 endesvor to render such
nan odious by the designation Rebel
once considered in this country tile OF
honor; out it may at least be said OF him,
as of the Rebel JOHN HAMPDEE, that ''the
memory of this deceased officer is such
that in no sge 10 come but it will more
and more be hsd in honor and esteem; a
man so religious, and of that prudence,
Judgment, temper, valor and integrity
that he bath left few his like behind him. "
Gen. Moltke has lately said that the great
man is tested, and especially tested, by ad-
verify. We see below how Gen. Lee
has borne this fiery proof of virtue.
Whilst those who call him "Rebel" were
revealing in his estate In the name OF pa
triodsm, and while his consequent i'm
poverishmen. and that of his family held
out powerful inducements to receive any
honest assistance which might be rendered
him, here is what he does-sn example
of disinterestedness, self sacrifice, and
heroic personal independence which il
would be well for the country if any
parallel to it could be found among those
who revile him:
sThe example of The late General Lee
in refusing all gifts, and declining. to
receive compensation for services mol
rendered, is worth more TO his country
and to all who follow it, than millions IN
gold. The facts here stated will not be
forgotten:
'In The winter of 1864 the City Coun-
Gil of Richmond rendered General Lee an
elegant mansion as some small token Of
the high estimcte in which he was held by
the city which he had SO long de
Tended But the grand Old man replied /;
4 do not expec. to be in Richmond dur
ang the continuance of the war, and my
family are as comfortable as they have {
right to expect 10 be in these times.
must, therefore, with many thanks fol
your consideration, most respectfully de
cline your offer. If you have money Il
give, hope you will bestow it upon my
private soldiers, who are more needy and
more deserving than myself.
"At the close of the war offers OF pc
cuniary assistance poured in upon hin
from all sides, but he stesdfastly refused
TO receive them. An English nObieman
thinking he would rejoice il come plac'
Of retreat from his affections, wrote t
offer him splendid country seat and ;
handsome annuity. He nObly replied
4 am deeply grateful but cannot CON
sent TO desert my native State IN the hou
of her deep adversely. must abide he
fortune and share her fate
s'Soon after he took charge of Wash
ington College he was visited by the agen
of an insurance company, who otfere'
him the presidency at salary Of TEL
thousand dollars. He. told the agent tina
he could not properly attend to both
Bat. General said the agent, I'VE d
not want you 20 discharge any duties
We simply wish the use Of your name
that will abundantly compensate us.
"'Excuse me, sir, was the prompt an
decided reioinder. Z cannot consent 7
receive pay for services | do not render.
''He received many offers of this sort,
and Just short time before his death
large manufacturing company in New
York offered him salary of fifty tbOus
and dollars a year if he would becnm
their President. But TO all such offer
he mad the same reply Ibis duty in III
COLLEGE fully occupied his time, sad h
would not receive pay where he did no
render service, He refused to receive froI
the College anything like so large q salar
asthey desired to pay him, and when, las
wear. the Trustees decided TO Mrs. Lee
house and annuity of three thousand do
lars. the General respectfully declineC
on Mrs. Lees behslf, to accept it. L
declined ali grstuities, and though To-
ing people, for whom he had toiled
heroic4lly, would joyously have settle
on him a handsome property, he prefe
red to earn his daily bread by his person
exertion, and TO give his people an exsr
ple of honest industry"