The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-07-13

ern Virginia has been compelled 10 yield 10
overwhelming numbers and resources.
II need not tell the survivors OF so many
bard-fought battles who have remained
steadfast to the last, that l have consented
to this result from no distrust OF them, but
feeling that valor and devotion could ac-
complsh nothing that could compensate for
the loss which would have attended the
continuation Of the contest, ! have deter
mined 10 avoid the useless sacrifice OF
those whose past services have endeared
them tn their c0untrymen. You Will take
with you the satisfaction that proceeds from
the consciousness OF duty faithfully per-
formed. and earnestly pray that a merci-
ful God may extend TO you HIS blessing and
protection. With an increasing admiration
of your constancy and devotion 10 your
country, and a grateful remembrance OF
your Kind and generous consideration or
myself, bid you an afectionate farewell.
ROBERT T.. LEE, General
In this sublime and pathetic epistle is
wildly portrayed lofty and intrepid spirit,
softened by an almost womanly tenderness.
and sanctified by the most exalted Christian
principle.
This ended Lees mastery defense OF the
South during four of the most memorable
years OF modern warfare. AS to the merits
of his operations it will sutfine 10 refer 10
the opinion ofthe military critics and writers
of Germany, of whom il has been said that,
''haying examined infinitely the campaigns
of Lee, they unite in the following Judg-
ment: Despite its adverse issue, the four
years conduct Of the war by Lee is the
ablest that ever a war of defense has ex-
hibited, with the exception of the seven
Years defensive war which Frederick the
Great conducted in Sax0ny and Silesia."
Thus Lee is. by the most competent judges,
calmly ranked with their national hero,
Frederick. one of the most consummatc
captains the world has ever seen.
I'm reading the references to Lee in many
United States papers, and the blatant and
bombastic harangue of Mr.. senator ingalls,
at the Gettysburg memorial services on the
Both ult., one cannot help re-echoing Clcero's
lament-"O! tempora. o! mores." Did they
but know il, such writers and speakers are
rending afresh we'll healed wound, and eX-
posing themselves and their country To The
merited contempt OF every rIgnt-thlnking.
maynanimous nation upon earth. The seed
Of exalted patriotism, however, does not
terminate in the breast of the petty poll
tican. Ii this is all the forbearance and
wisdom that twenty-five long years OF peace
have fostered in the Republican press and
Senate of the North towards their white 1el-
low-cOuntrymen of the South, and bearing
IN NINA the ntgFO. mOllhoh anu iiioh ihNc-
tiOns. the future OF the United states may
we'll seem problematical.
Let me present to Lees aspersers, In the
hope that they may catch-thOugh a long
way oh-a portion of his spirit. the calm,
dignitied, and patriotic "Open letter writ
ten by him, after the close OF hOstilltles, 10
Governor Ietcher the war Governor OF VIZ
ginia. Ii is as follows: "The questions
which for years were in dispute between
the state and general Government, and
which, unhappily, were not decided by the
dictates of reason, but referred to the Jeci-
sion of war, having been decided against
us, il is the part Of wisdom 10 acqulesce III
the result and of candor to recognize the
fact.
"The interests of the State are, therefore.
the same as those of the United States. Its
prosperity will rise or fall with the welfare
of the country. The duty of its citizens,
then, appears to me too plain to admit oil
doubt. All should unite in honest efforts to
obliterate the effects OF war. and 10 restore
the blessings of peace. They should re-
main. ifpOssible, in the cOuntry-pr0mote
harmony and good feeling, qualify themse-
YES to vote and elect 10 the state and gener-
al Legislatures wise and patriotic men, VINO
will devote their abilities to the interests OF
the country and the healing OF all dlssen-
I
course since the cessation OF h0stillties, ana
have endeayOred to practice 1t myself"
I'm referring TO the Northern press. all
honor should be paid to the New York
Times, for the pure, manly and patriotic
tone of its reference to Lee, in It's issue OF
Nav 80. There are also some other honor
able exceptions.
OF the monument. but little can he said
in its praise. The pedestal Is pretty, but
that is all. lfyOu conceal the body OF the
horse and its rider, you might readily thlnk
that the legs were those OF COW. Aiter
having considered the admirable and con-
prehensiye conception and spirited design
of the Canadian sculptor, Mr.. Gilbert Firth.
for the Lee monument one Is amazed III the
choice that was made.
Lees retirement 10 the comparative OBJ
security of an humble citizen, and the self
supporting labor OF teacher OF youth,
when he might have lived in luxury and
been pampered and idOlized abroad. was in
Keeping with the general tenor of his life.
How like the Iioman Cincinnatus, who,
having rendered signal service to the Roman
arms and State, returned TO his farm TO
pillow nf Lees personal presence, sir tar
mel Woseley ana I.ieutenant-COlonelG &. L.
Denison have said. THAT he, more than any
other man they had ever met, impressed
them with human greatness"
Many years ago writer in the Illustrated
London News thus described the charm OF
Lees presence: III number Of men were
seated in Il circle, Lee being one of them,
and little child were placed in their
midst-after looking round the circle, II
would be sure to 90 10 Lee" Canadians
may well be proud Of having been born
upon the Continent which produced SO great
a man. With what sublime appropriate
ness could Robert +. Lee at his LIES close
have repeated the memorable words oil
Horace:
Exegi monumentum acre perennius
Regalque situ pymmldum aluus,
QuOd non imbcr edax, nor aquilo inpotens
Possis diruere aut innumerabilis
Annorum series ct fugd temporum.'
Lees private and public character has
eXtorted even from his detractOrs unwonted
praise. In him werQ combined in exquisite
proportion many OF the choicest gifts and
graces of heart, Of mind, Of body. With
sweet aud simple dignity he trod the path
way ofdomestic life-loying, and beloved by
ALI. With rare unselsh mOdesty he took
upon his titan shoulders the crushing bur-
dens of his comrades errors without muir
muir or complaint. In him humliity ana
greatness walked hand in hand, and from
his life there fell with pure and steadiast
lustre the Ofshining Of that "true llght
which lIghteth every man that cometh INTO
the wOrld.v The contemplation Of the life
aud personality Of this great aud gentle
man recalls the words Of Wordsworthi
soft is the music that would charm forever
The flower OF sweetest smell Is SHY and