The Opelousas courier., 1885-05-02
livery inch a Hero.
Mobile Register.

The st. Louis Globe Democrat, com.
menting on Lord Wolseley's remark
that he had only known two heroes
personally, and that they were Gen.
Robert E. Lee and Gen. Charles G..
Gordon, remarks that Gen. Lee was a
great soldier, but not a here. We dis
agree entirely with our st. Louis con-
temporary. The time has now arrived
when the war and everything connect
ed with it can be discussed fairly and
without any feeling, and justice done
to the great men on either side OF the
contest. Even during the war his OPP
ponents were willing to coneede that
Lee was a great soldier; now many OF
them do homage to the noble. traits of
character which gave additio nal lustre
to his military renown, and to the sub
lime resignation with which he accept
ed defeat.
Our st. Louis contemporaries idea OF
heroism must have been imbibed from
stirring poetry or romance, or dime
novels. Rhoderick Dhu, who was no
doubt a marauder, and Rob Roy who
was u~ndeniably a cattle thief, are no
doubt in it's eyes dRodels OF herolsm
because they knew how to WELD their
claymores with fearful execution. But
something besides personal proWess
and courage is needed to constitute
true heroism. William Wallace was
more a hero when lying in an English
dungeon than when crowned with vic
tory Robert Bruce was more a hero
when he ~persevered in the face of ad-
verse fortune in his struggle against
tyranny than when he conquered at
| Bannockburn. Washington was more
a hero during the dreary winter at
Valley Forge than when he received
the surrender of CORVALLIS.
Who shall say that Robert E. Lee
did not go through trials that only a
heroic heart could have endured? Step
by step he saw the invader gaining
ground, day by day he saw the resour'
ces of the Confederacy lessening, man
by man he saw his army dwindling
His soul was doubtless often torn with
anguish, but his bearing was ever the
same. Calm, dignifed, courteous, ne
sign was given of his care.
Then came the end. What could
have been more simply grand than hi'
bearing at Appomattox. No attempt Al
theatrical display, no sensational pois'
ing, but sadly bidding farewell to biz
faithful men he mounted his horse and
rode away. All was ove for him as fal
as place and position vas concerned
It was for him, now, to set al example
to his men of devotion to that old flag
which, even while opposing, he hat
loved.
Then it was that Robert E. Lee, al.
ready great, became truly grand. he
fusing offers of ease and af1uence from
abroad, he cast his lot with the people
of his State, Virginia, loved so vel
that he had sacrificed all for her. Qui
city he addressed himself to the duty
of training her youth, to make of then
good citizens of a reunited country
when that day should come. Duty al
ever was his watchword, his guiding
star. Those who had served under hin
looked towards his home for guidance
They saw their great leader obedien
to the laws of the land, recognizing
the restoration of the Union as a con
summation never to be changed, seek
ing to heal the wounds caused by war
His example was followed, and th'
bitterness Of defeat Don gave way to
Hope for the future. .It was true hero.
ism, heroism that future ages will re
cegnize, heroism such as many of TIL
worlds greatest warriors have failed
to achieve.