Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-04-15
THE TRUTH OF HISTORY.

The "Life of Abraham Lincoln" now
being published In the Century Magazine,
is highly entertaining work. valuable
contribution to the historical literature OF
the country, and written in scholarly, at
tractive style. The suthors, Messrs.
John Hsy and John G. Nicolay, were the
private secretaries Of MIR. Lincoln from
his inauguration until his death, and are
no doubt especially fitted for the task
they have in hand. 1t was appropriate
that Mr.. Lincoln's life should be written.
He was crest and good man, patriot.
and southern people horor his memory
equally with those Of the north. II may
be said, too, in justice to his biog1aphers,
that as general thing they seem desirous
to write facts, without sectional bias or
preiudice-a history, as their work pur-
ports to be, and it is rare thAt tone detects
variance from this spirit. In the April
chapters, however, there is 8 passage that
southern people will unite in believing
does General Robert E. Lee Injustice.
Lee is depicted as first expressing
willingness Ito General ScotO to take
command of the Union forces, and lead
ing Mr.. Lincoln to believe that he (Lee)
could be depended on to aid in suppress
ing the southern movement. He Is de-
scribed as dsIlying with the President
and General Scott up to the
last moment, ard the charge is
made that he violated his obliga-
ton as an officer by rendering his resigna-
ton while he was absent on leave and &C.
cepting command OF the Virginia forces
and subsequently q Confederate commits
sion without waiting to hear whether or
not his resignation had been accepted at
Washington. 1t would be impossible to
say anything of Robert E. Lee that would
impair his prestige in the estimation OF
southern people or of the world ct large,
and therefore 1t is more the truth OF
history than the integrity and honor OF
Lee that is at stake in this matter. It is
probable that Mesgrs. Hay and Nicolay
believe they have presented correct
version OF facts, but as sgainst their
word must be taken that Of General Lee
himself, and more than once he spoke
freely on this subject. It WAS never q
secret that Lee was not secssslonist.
He deplored aud deprecated secession,
which he ssid would prove anarchy
or disaster at the best. But II
is On equally well established fsct
th.t he informed General Scott that ne
could not and would not draw his sword
against Virginia, considering his allegi-
ance to his nstive state as paramount &c
his allegiance TO the Union. The truth
is that Lee left Washington for his home
a. Arlington, hoping Virginia would re-
main In the Union and secession and civil
war be averted. Virginia seeded sud
denly and Lee was left to act with equs
suddenness. He kept his word, wen
with his state, and his ate carried hin
into the Coniederscy. Events trsnspireo
swiftly in these days, and the stress o.
circumstances coupled with his sense o.
duty carried Lee along with the tide fss'
ter, perhsps, than he would have choseI
could he have controlled the circum
stances, but 1t will not do to advance tht
theory that Lee violated any obligation
as soldier or of honor, and he under.
stood q soldiers duty and the meanir.
Of honor as thoroughly as sny msn who
ever lived. This is tie truth Of history
no matter what Mr.. Lincoln's historian!
nav saw