The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-26
LEE AND JOHNSTON.

In the special telegram of our Washington
correspondent. published yesterday. accounts
of interviews with Generals Howard Rose
cranz and other well-known Union generals
in the war between the States were given. In
these interviews comparisons between Gene
rails Lee and Johnston were made. which COM
parsons were invariably decidedly favorable
10 the latter. The same line of reasoning has
also been noticeable in numbers of our North
ern contemporaries of the press since General
Johnston's death. and almost without excep-
ton the same conclusions have been reached.
With the distinguished Southern General
scarcely yet in his grave, the bad taste OF In
dulging in such comparisons at all will readily
be acknowledged. But when the plain
anirnus underlying them is considered
they reflect still less credit upon
those who take the opportunity OF
standing over General Johnston's open tomb
TO air their sentiments, for the manifest dis
position shown throughout is not really to
praise Johnston, but TO depreciate Lee. These
Northern critics know and realize that Robert
T.. Lee is. above all others, the revered idol of
the Southern people. They know and realize
that it was his mastery genius and brilliant
leadership which enabled his army Of Conted-
crate heroes though meanly clad and poorly
fed. TO inhict defeat after defeat upon the
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES and easily recruited
armies of the North, and it is his name
which, more than any other, is associated
with the glorious achievements of Southern
prowess and the bitter humiliation of the
Northern forces If Lee, then, can be under
estimated in the eyes of the world and of
| posterity. it will be great point gained TO
| those whose lustre. such rs it is. when COM
pared to his, is like the glimmer Of tallow
| dip alongside the brilliance of an electric
light.
1t is, therefore, with no intention Of belit-
Ting General Johnston's accomplishments
that THE TIMES critcises his Northern critics.
| He was great man, and, like all the Southern
leaders. accomplished wonders when the linn
tied means at his disposal and the overwhelm-
ing odds he had 10 encounter are considered.
If Howard and others, standing over his bier,
would content themselves with such an eX-
preston of opinion, and not take occasion TO
draw comparisons with Lee, no cause Of COM
ment would arise But when they take that
solemn opportunity to belittle the leading
champion of the cause Of Southern independ-
ence the hypocrisy of their pretended praise
becomes two painfully apparent.
1t matters little however, what the badly
defeated generals who opposed Lee may
have to say about any of our Southern heroes.
They all made records which will go sound
ing down the ages" and neither the censure
nor applause Of those who so often felt tho
power of their genius and valor will add to,
or detract from, one iota of their fame. The
glories Of their deeds accomplished against
such odds as men never before encountered
will live in the pages of history long after
those whose only claim TO fame at all is that
they opposed and were beaten by such generals
as Lee. Johnston, and Jackson shall have
| been forgotten