The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-17
CENTENNIAL LOYALTY.
ROBERT Z. LEE AND JEFFERSON DAVIS coUN-
SELLING ACCEPTANCE OF THE SITUATION.
OFFICE OF The UNITED STAT

OFFICE OF The UNITED STATES
CENTENNIAL COMMISSIONERS FOR TEXAS
No. 20 BROADWAY, NEW YORK. May 10, 1879.
TO THE EDITOR or THE HERALD
In your issue Of this morning in an editorial
abiding to the speech OF JEFFERSON DAVIS the day
before in Texas, you say 1--WE congratulate
Jefferson Davis upon his speech at Houston.
Texas, in which he called upon the old Confed-
crate soldiers 10 give the same devotion TO the
stars and stripes that they nad shown TO the nag
OF the lost cause The influence OF q man like
Jefferson DAVIS upon the people who once fol-
lowed him, II properly exercised. VIII be OF I'M
speakabe benefit in the paclhcation Of the coun-
try.n With unintended Injustice to General Lee,
Tou then add 1--WE have always felt that it viii De
remembered TO the disered1t or General Lee that
at the close or the war he sank into a policy OF
apathy and silence and aid nothing 10 reconcile
the people he mad commanded to the new order OF
tningsr
In vindicauon or tie truth OF history, and 10 re-
move the dlscledt'' which you intimate is the
only shadow on the otherwise imperlsnabie fame
or one OF the most colossal characters OF the late
civil war, / am constrained TO ask you 30 publish
the folowing:-In his letter accepting the Pres-
dency OF Washington College, the late Robert T.
Lee said
eHt condition VI the country to do all In his power
TO aid IN the restoration OF peace ana harmony,
general governments directed 20 that object. II
IS particularly incumbent on those charged WITH
the instruction OF the young 10 set them an exam
pie OF submission 10 authority.
The ABOVE memorable and historic sentiment
which so eIfectualy removes the imputation that
sat the close OF the war General Lee did nothing
TO reconcile the people ne had commanded 20 the
new order OF things,n is clipped rom his letter az
the time OF IT'S publication In 1862 and has
ever since been carried in a memorandum
book my person, as have treasured II IN my
heart and sought to practise IL IN my life. Your
editorial, so unlntentionaly unjust 10 great
memory brought viydly TO nv mind Lees
actual counsel 70 "the people he had commanded
my long treasured possession OF ITS words OF wis
dom, and engendered an earnest wish for Its re-
production ia your columns, TO indicate truth in
history.
Tne sacred oracle hath declared that 'he who
ruleth his spirit is greater than ne who aEetn
a city, II IL mad been true that at the close OF
the war General Lee "sank INTO policy OF apathy
and snence,n he would nave LETT 10 fame the re-
nown or a soldier without demonstrating IN MIN
SELF as ne has, that in the domain or passion
and prejudice there are loiler achievements anu
nooler conquests than captive myriads or subJu-
gated provinces. But General Lee appropriately
crowned q fame that a. you intimate, would
otherwise have been incomplete, hy moral con-
quest OF himself IN actually attempting what you
averred he did not-viz., 10 reconcile the people
be had commanded TO the new order OF tnngs.m
Why so few or his former military followers,
then, lacked the moral heroism to initiate his
example in also counseling submission TO au-
thor.tyu in the acceptance OF the three constitu-
tienal amendments. which were "the new order
or thingsn II were pro6tless now to discuss
since the late Endorsement and acceptance OF the
new order OF things by both political plat
forms, ana which both parties are pledged to
maintain inyiolste. The support or the Baltimore
aud Cincinnati platform in 1872 by the men or the
south, IN which they pledged" themselves 10
oppose any reopening or the questions settled %
the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth amend
ments 20 the constitution was a final settlements
OF war balances the erasure oil all vital sectional
ISSUES, practical acqulescence In Lees ADVICE OF
.suDmission TO authorltv,r and a complete viudt-
cation OF the patriotism and wisdom OF those OF
Lees followers who mad at an earlier day acted
upon his counsel by also accepting "tRe sltuanonn
in order to pacideate the country.
You eloquenty ana trutblu.ly add that "the de-
feat OF the COnfederacy viii attract the sympathy
OF millions who respect vaior aud mourn over
misfortune That which VIII not TIE less arrest
the attention or the ages that are 10 follow is the
council Of the late Confederate chieitanS-tne one
or submission 20 authority aud tue other OF
renewed "devotlon TO the stars aud ssripes,p
which mad once n0ated, the emblem Of victorJ,
over MS owR Mississippi rlnemen On the plains Of
Bueua VISTA.
But the most august spectacle, that which will
oyeishadow Ia moral grandeur al other events Of
the century, win be tue probable complete and
voluntary exunguisnment OF the emoers OF tue
war during the Centennial celebrations Of 1915.
IL is this great act OF tue wonderful opportunity
to be Afforded during the Centennial rear Tor the
Inflammation or the men OF the south and Nortn
VINO fougRt and By measuring strength nave
learned 10 respect each other. wnicn should
specially commend the Centennial celebration
AMI Exposition 20 tue enthusiastic support not
only Of your great city, but the true men Of all
the states. Assembling again around the once
common altar upon which was liz she nrst flame
OF the American struggle for indepe ndence, these
men OF the gray and blue despite the politicians
" both sections, who have and would stIl foster