New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-08-23
JFE'S BIRTHDAY.

The proposition to make January -, the
birthday e Robert +. Lee, pubic holiday
seems TO be meeting with good deal OF favor
in the South. The beginning was made by
tho nassa oe Of bill to that effect in the lower
honse of the Georgia Legislature, without a
dissenting vote and il is said that the senate
will undoubtedly take similar action III Is
proposed that other Southern states snail iOi-
low this example. and that Lees birthday shall
thus become a day Of commemoIatlon Tor the
Lost Cause. THE Charleston News and Cour-
er.v while heartily approving this action goes
80 far as to propose that Congress shall make
the day National holiday-an honor which
has not vet been conferred upon any oi the
great leaders Of the Union cause. Inc New
Orleans Times Democrat says. speaking OF
the plan of Southern holiday enJoined by
the States. that no better selection could be
made of Il Southern hero than Genera Robert
+. Lee "No wOrthier example" says The
Macon Telegraph" lean be held before the
youth Of the country. no more symmetrical
character no higher type of the Christian
gentleman has been evolved in the history OF
orr race.n There arr other expressions of
opinion equally feryent. Apparently there is
no dissent from the proposal. and unless the
peonIe should think better Of it. the inaugural
ton Of the birthday of Lee a sectional not
National. holiday seems hot improbable.
IS it wise? The virtues of Lee have always
found as frank and hearty recognition in the
North as in the South The men Of the South
can say nothing of the beauty of his personal
character his courage. his devotion to his ideal
of du;v that will not find a ready echo among
those he fought against and by whom he was
conquered. If such demonstrations could be
confined 10 tribute to the private character
Of the man, there could probably be no just
ground Of objection to them. But pubN
holiday in celebration of the birthday OF Lee
would inevitably be celebration Of the Lost
Cause The orators and the newspapers would
aud net only the personal qualities OF the dead
leader but the principles for which he fought.
The day would become an annual lesson IN
secession doctrine. in sectionalism. casting It's
shadow over the whole year. The passions OF
the war have grown cold. Why should the
people of the South seek to fan them into life
again? \ large proportion of those who took
part in the war against the Union will admit
now that it was a mistake that it was great
they would not re-eStablSh slavery il they
could. This being 50, why should they set up
an Observance. the inevitable effect Of which
would be to instil into the minds Of future
generations the same mistaken ideals which
cost the past generation dear? Is it patn-
otto? Is it wise from any point OF view
whether as regards the political or commercial
well-beng Of the South, to establish custom
which must in the nature Of things introduce
a note of discord into the National life?
The nobility and purity Of Lees personality
cannot weigh in The balance against the single
fact that he lifted his sword against his coun-
try. and not in its defence. That issue is
closed General Lee was on the wrong side
of it. and history. however much it may find
to say in praise of his private virtues must
condemn him as a man who was not true to his
allegiance. The Southern people claim to have
accepted the results of the war in good faith
Their proposed sectional holiday would hardly
be consistent with these professions.