The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-06-15
LEE AS AN EDUCATOR.
MS ZEAL FOR WASHINGTON COL
lEGE'S WELFARE.

That General Robert T.. Ice was "oi'
distinguished than all others IN the la'e
war. in military point Of view, Is held oy
most OF competent Judges. II is not now
ever in that respect, that propose TO con-
slider him, but only, and that briefly, oil MS
connection with education. He graduated
as the second honor man, ut west
Point, in large class, and 'here
after deepehed and enlarged his ac-
ouired knowledge by a practical apph-
cation Of IL. Before and during the late
war his life was purely military; at its close
he found his property and that OF his family
con6sca,ed by the Federal Government ana
himself without employment. In defeat ana
poverty he still preserved his stainless
honor and native dignity of character. Such
n man could not remain long IN our SOUTH
crp country without numerous oilers OF po-
sifiops. Liberal pay for duties mercy
nominal were offered him. HIS nice
sense of honor and delicacy OF feel,
ing caused him 20 decline an
such. lie was not willing to take an! si.,
nation in which he could not render Puiu
pro quo. lie did not desire slhecure.
Some of the high Federal officers ABOUT Tue
same period did not manifest the SAINT
delicacy Of feeling with respect 10 sralu,-
ties. In his nice sense OF honor, Which
would have felt stain like wound, IN I'M
selfish patriotism, in moral elevation, ne
was unlike many Of the worlds great CON
ouerors. and finds his parallel IN Washine
ION and i'm him alone. The late tolOnel
John II. Baldwin, highly distinguished rs
LAWYER and legislator, gave me ,he ioi-
lowing narrative which shows how Lee De
came an educator: lie said C0loneI bOil-
var Christian. himself. aud several DINERS
were talking together sometime III 'ne
summer of 1863 in Staunt0n, Va. The sub
iect Of their conversation was what business
would snit n certain eX-Confederate officer,
when one of the group said, and what shall
we do for General Lee! and Baldwin
answered, make him president OF Wash
ington College. Colonel Christian, VINO
was n trustee of Washington col.
lere. approved the suggestion, ana
at the next meeting of the board
of trustees, August, 1860, nominated
Lee as such. He was unanimously elected,
and was inaugurated as president OctoOer
., 1865. | have IL on credible authority tnai
nj first he hestated, modestly distressing
his qualifications as an instructor; ou'
when he ascertained that a general super
intenderre of the studies and discipline
would only be required of him he accepted.
The wisdom of his selection was soon mani
Tested. When he entered upon the duties
of the presidency of the institution there
were but four professors and forty
students. The latter rapidly increased.
know the fact that number
of ex-confederate soldiers came even from
distant States 10 Washington college be-
cause General Lee was its President. lie
gave over five years of his life TO edIcatlOn,
his Presidency extending from October ,,
1855. 10 the time of his death, OctOqer 10,
1870 In that period his college took giant
strides: increasing ten fold in the number
of its students. In 1869 and 1870 there were
about four hundred students. Through
General Lees influence mainly. three new
chairs were established, viz. Physics, Math-
ematics and Modern Languages, which in
cluded astronomy, engineering and English
philology. Before his death instruction III
Law was added to the curriculum OF his col
lege.
HIS ZEAL FOR EDUCATION AND HIS COLLEGE
The writer of this represented Rock
bridge and Nelson in the Virginia state
senate in the wears 1865. 1866 and 1861 In
the former county was situated the college
of which General Lee was president, his de-
sire 10 subserye its interests caused him to
seek my acquaintance. In the early part OF
December, 1866, took my seat in the Sc
nate and soon after was informed that
General Lee was in Richmond, and desired
to see me with regard TO getting some
legislative assistance for Washington
College. Having served under him as
a soldier, and having for him that
intense admiration which all OF
soldiers had, needed no stimulus 10 call
promptly on him. lie desired me to aid in
the procuring the passage OF a law by the
Legislature by which the interest, or por-
ton of it, on the debt Of the state to his col
lege should be paid. At that time our state
was pecuniarily much embarrassed and
had stopped paying interest upon its debts.
and fearing if | asked for too much | might
get nothing, inquired Of General Lee if he
would be satisfied than with the payment of
three or four years Interest. lie responded
in the Affirmative, and asked me TO
make speech in the Senate setting
forth the wants and claims OF his college;
he said its furniture. books. Enclosures, &c..
had been damaged by abe Fedetal soldiers
under General Hunter, and money was
needed TO make necessary repairs. SUISSE
quently to this he wrote me a letter, which
so well presented the claims of Washington
College, that read the whole Of it while
advocating them before the body of which ]
was a member. The origin of the claim OF
the college was this. General Wash
ington, in consideration of his pub
lie services was presented with a num-
Der Of shares OF the valuable stock of the
"Old James River Company" He declined
10 receive them except upon the condition
that they should be applied TO education
purposes. Accordingly he transferred 100
shares of this TO Liberty Academy" in Lex
a, Ia from which GROW WASHINGTON
College. The law by which Washington
College was greatly relieved, became such
February ~. 1856. and was entitled AN
act for the relief of colleges and other semin-
aries Of learning" BY ii the arrearages of in
terest OF dividends due from the State were
TO be paid i'm two installment. Soon after
the passage Of the bill, which | championed
in the Senate, General Lee, with that cour-
tesy which was characteristic of him, wrote
me letter thanking Inc for my services.
As further evidence of his zeal for the edu-
cational interests OF his college will state
that. representing his county and college in
the Legislature, he wrote me as many as
three letters urging me 10 get portion for
il OF the land fund which the United States
had donated 10 the States for educational
purposes. | give a copy below OF the
original Of one Of them now in my posses
sion.
LEXINGTON VA. December IL, 1865.
sir-I commit 10 your charge petition Of
Washington College 10 the Legislature OF
Virginia, and request that as the Senator
from this district that you viii present II 10
the senate at the most favorable period.
Shonld you concur with the board of trustees
In It's object, Hope you will advocate the pas
sage OF bill 10 carry II into effect DIR. A. A.
Graham, from ROckbridgc, has been request
ed 10 present the petition In the House OF
Delegates and concert OF action among
the friends OF the measure In the
two bodies would he advantageous. /
feel that l need suggest 10 You no
argument In favor Of the petition IA the ac-
complishment OF the Board of Trustees
would 80 clearly result In good To the state.
and enable IL an early day TO commence 10
reap the advantages Of the grant of the general
government. hope you Will agree with me
In the opinion that "a proper distribution of
the fund will be the most advantageous way
Of applying II. and that Washington College
offers opportunities at least equal 10 any
other in The State. where the instruction de-
sired 10 be taught can be made useful and
profitable to the people.
With great respect, your obedlent servant.
II. +. LEE.
u. =. G.. Cabell, OF the Senate OF Virginia.
Richmond.
His letters like those Of Washington, are
plain In dictlon, but clear, strong. and 10