Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1884-08-02
A NOTABLE LETTER
Written by General Lee Thirty-Two
Years Ago. aa

Memphis Ledger.
DR.. NJ. j. Mcneil, Of Olive Branch,
Miss, sends us the following from his
scrap book, with the request that it be
published. We comply with pleasure.
Gen. Lees letter has been published
before, but has passed out of the pub
lie mind. 1t is worthy of place in
every scrap book and household. 1t
reveals the beautiful inner character of
truly good and great man. 1t should
be placed in the hands of every boy as
a gem OF truth and good advice, and
second only to that to be found in the
scriptures. Here it is, and we COM
mend it to the attention of all South.
ern mothers, and through them to the
rising generation:
PRIVATE LETTER FROM GEN. LEE.
The original of the following private
letter from General Lee to his son, was
found at Arlington House, and is in
teresting as illustrating phase in his
character
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, April 5, 80.
My DEAR Son 81 am Just in the
act of leaving home for New Mexico.
My fine old regiment has been ordered
to that distant region, and l must has
ten to see that they are properly cared
for. l have but little to add in reply
to your letters of March 26th, 9th,
and 2Sth. Your letters breathe true
, spirit Of frankness; they have given
myself and your mother great pleasure.
You must study to be frank with the
world; frankness is the child of homes.
ty and courage. Say what you mean
to do on every occasion, and take it
for granted you mean to do right. If
a friend asks favor, you should grant
it if it is reasonable; if not, tell him
plainly why you cannot; you will
wrong him and yourself by equivoca-
tion of any kind. Never do wrong
thing to make friend or keep one
the man who requires you to do SO is
dearly purchased at sacrifice, Deal
kindly, but firmly, with all your class
mates you will find it the policy
which wears best. Above all, do moi
appear to Others what you are not.
If you have any fault to find with any,
tell him, not others, of what you com
plain there is no more dangerous ex
pertinent than that of undertaking tt
be one thing before mans face and
another behind his back. We should
live, act, and say nothing to the injury
of any one. 1t is not only best as 6
matter of principle, but it is the patti
to peace and honor.
In regard to duty, let me, in conclu
sion Of this hasty letter, inform yol
that nearly one hundred years agC
there was day Of remarkable gloon
and darkness-still known as the darl
day--a day when the light Of the sui
was slowly extinguished as if by al
eclipse. The Legislature of Connect
cut was in session, and as the member
saw an unexpected and unaccountabl
darkness coming on, they shared in tn
general awe and terror. 1t was sup
posed by many that the last day-th
day of judgement-had come. Som
one in the CONSERVATION Of the hou
moved an adjournment. Then ther
arose an old Puritan legislator, Daven
port, of Stamford, who said if the da
had come, he desired to be at his plac
doing his duty, and, therefore, moYe
that candles be brought in so that tn
House could proceed with its duty
There was quietness in that man
mind-the quietness of heavenly wi
DOMAIN infexible willingness to ODE
I present duty. Duty, then, is the sui
, FINEST word in our language. 70
r cannot do more; you should nevt
wish to do less. Never let me an
your mother wear one gray hair f
any lack of duty on your part.
Your affectionate father,
4 r + LEE.