The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-02-27

DuLClG-llclu lIUll NellS soulS W llO
Rio Grande? There is no grateful
government to erect monuments for
them; but, loved companions, sleep
sweetiy in your soldier graves, you
shulfnot be forgotteM, When we pro-
vide, rs best we can, forthose for whom
YOU died, we will mingle with the
pious act some tears for you! In that
grand army, marshalled on fame's
eternal camping-ground, now az in
the former time their old leader is
their companion, and l am sure that
living or dead, with or without
monuments, there can be no disgrace
in being with that perfect type or his
countrymen and exponent OF the
Southern soldier-Robert Edmund
Lee.
WASHINGTON AND LEE.
IF We had O modern Plutarch 10
write the ''parallel lives' of the great
mel of this continent, I know Of 10
man whose character could be weigh
ed and balanced with that Of WASH
ington but General Lee. The pcrva-
ding tone of both characters was the
same-well balanced, self-contained-
prudent, and conservative, devoted 70
truth, and willing to suffer martyr
dom ia the line of duty. While cam
paigning in Virginia around the old
family homcsteads where they both,
were born and lived and died, l
have often unused upon the strik-
iug parallels in their life and
character. They both sprang from
rood old Anglo Saxon stock, reaching
far back towards the Conquest. The
same Ancient Dominion gave birth to
both, and theircharacters were mould
ed by the same cultured civilization OF
Lower Virginia. Coming as they did
from the same neighborhood, their
families had been intimate from a
time prior to the Revolution, and be-
came connected by the marriage OF
Lee with Miss Gusts of Arlington,
the great-grand-daughter of Mrs. Mar
tia Washington. Lee not only inner
tied the estates, but possessed all the
kpightly modesty, the high sense o!
duty, the answering patriotism, and
that even balance of the qualities OF
head and heart, that characterized the
Father of his Country.
Washington was u loyal subject Of
King George. His first public acts
were in the service of his sovereign,
He stood in high favor with the moth
or country and.h had no personal griev'
arces to redress; but when principle
and the welfare ,of his native land
made a separation necessary, he form
ed his decision deliberately. 1t co.'s
him Il struggle to part from his late
comrades in the British army anC
from his gentle neighbors of Belvoir-
the Fairfax family; but he did no
hesitate to forsake all and tc
stake his all for the liberty
and independence of his country
and he maintained that resolution
with unfaltering perseverance, to the
glorious end.
Lee was Il true and loyal citizen o
the United States. His father, "I.igh
Horse Harry,' had been famous il
the Revolution and a favOritc o
Washington. He had himself render
ed gallant service aud was already :
distinguished officer in the army.
remember one splendid feat in Mexico
which was the dawning of his fame
On the dark and stormy night of tn
10Th August, lS47, he crossed and re
crossed on foot the almost impenetra
! bic "Pedrigal' around the flank Of tn
enemy, and arranged that splenIi'
combination which resulted in storm
ing Valentla's camp ut sunrise tn
next morning and the crushing victo
nv of Contreras. He too had no per
sonal grievances to redress. lie love-
his fellow-otficers, and he loved tn
army. He loved the flag under which
his father had fought, under which III
had won his own glory, and un
der which he had been invitr'
to take commanding position il
the impending struggle betweel
the States. He considered wei
and took his position from principle
He could not draw his sword agains
the bosom of his mother Virginia
He resigned his commission, LEI
comrades and friends, and cast in hi
lot with his people, "b0ne of his bon
and flesh OF his flesh" The separl
ton cost him also a struggle, but hi
deliberate, conscientious, and fila
resolution he maintained with heroi
tirmness to the bitter end-illustrat
ing all the wisdom, constaIIcy, and for
titude that distinguished his prUtoiyp
in tic first great revolution.
Washington and Lee both were lead
ers Of their countrymen in defence c
their country. They were both charg
ed with d~isloyalty and denounced n
rebels and muletactors, outlawcd from
! a.. :~t,t, anal ,fnrtin, ~ .t,iS,o1rif
warfare. They had precisely the sam
difficulties about the exchange of pris
oners. 1t is the habit of officials t
treat with scorn and contempt tbos
who D to establish Il new gov
eminent. The very first form il
which loyalty expresses its hatred o
opposition, is in the refusal to recos
niZe those who fall into. their hands i
prisoners of war. One of the first let
ters Washington wrote after taking
command of the army at Boston wa
to General Gage in behalf Of his pa
triot soldiers who were prisoners
"Let your opinion, sir, Of the princi
"ples which actuate them 6e what i
"nIay, they suppose that they act from
1.-THE nobiest of all principles love q
"freedom and their country. Tn
obligations arising from humanit.
"are universally binding"
But there is one particular in which
the parallel must become Il contrast
Washington had the good fortune t.
be successful in his rebellion, and
after seven long years of incredibl
toll and suffering, tospcnd the evening
of his days in peace and prosperity
enjoying the liberties he had achieved
and u glory transcending that eve be
fore given to man.
Lee, though animated by sentiment
as pure and lofty, was unsuccessful
1t was not allowed to him to be TIL
new Washington of Il new republic,
Jue TictjS! Overwhelmed by supe'
rior numbers and resources, he surren
dercd his sword. His property con
tiscated and his country in ruins, sat
and sorrowful but without unmanl,
repining he retired to a quiet ~literar.
retreat in the beautiful Valley OF Eir
ginia, where his name was again as
sociated with that OF Washington; anc
there, sustained by the consciousness
of patriotic intentions and duty wei
performed, he exhibited a dignity
serenity, and strength of soul, whicl
oan he developed by nothing but mis-
fortune. Having failed to maintain
the government established 10y hi
immediate countrymen, his patriotic
efforts were then directed to remov'
the bitterness engendcred by the strife
and restore concord between the sec