The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-11-11
at Due West and were graduated from Ers-

at Due West and were graduated from Ers-
kline members OF the same class.
In thinking over the characteristics OF DR..
Lee by a strange coincidence had fixed up
on one OF The same qualities mentioned by
the committee on resolutions and in the very
identical language used by them-fdelily TO
duty. Mr.. Lee was faithful 10 his sense OF
duty, loyal to his convictions, firm and stead
fast In his adherence to what he believed to
be right. 1t was this fidelity TO duty that
nerved him as a soldier on the battlefield In
the bivouac and the lonely march cheerlully
TO brave the hardships OF war. Naturally OF
shy. shrinking dispssition-as modest aEd
gentle as woman, as has well oeen ealu,
when duty called-where principle was at
stake, DR.. Lee was as brave as JULIUS caesar.
The crowning exc Hence in his life was his
high Christian character. He read his Bible
and believed in It, He believed In the prin-
ciples which 1t incuIcated. He had no sym
with skeptical doctrines. He believed firmly
in q special Providence that watches over
and protects u.s. I have often neard him give
expression to bis ideas on this subject. He
believed that there Ia an overruling Proyi-
dence that directs everything for the best.
He was very liberal and catholic In his reli-
gious Ideas. He was devout Episcopallan,
but he did not believe that religion Is confln-
ed to any one church or denomination. His
religious ideas and sympathies were
broad and liberal.
Again, DR.. Lee was in pre.eminent sense
man of letters. Throughout the entire
limits OF Carolina. from the seaboard 10 the
mountains. can think OF no one more pecu-
liarly entitled TO that appellation. Nature
had endowed him with high order Of tai
ents and he had cultivated them wisely. He
had studied the great masters OF science and
literature and was familiar with all the great
authors. He had read widely, deeply, and
writer's of prose and poetry and had read the
best novels. He had fine literary taste and
an unusually attractive style.
DR.. Lee was democratic In his Ideas and
Ia ,,,ofb mi nYrrnD
people and he had great confidence In the
wisdom of the masses. In this respect he
was like Mr.. Lincoln. He believed strongly
in the people. Though they might for
while be wrong, still 10 the main he trusted
in their judgment
We will greatly miss DR.. Lee. We will
miss him In the social circle and we will miss
him in the meeting Of our Literary Club.
We will miss those beautiful essays, so easily
and SO charmingly written, with which he
was wont to favor us.
In seconding the resolutions, will close by
| saying that our honored and esteemed BROTH
er was modest. gentle, cultured. refined, man.
ly and hoble-a splendid type of man.
Remarks by II. E. Hill, Esq.
Mr.. Chairman: While am aware that this
is meeting OF the Abbeville Bar for the pur-
pose OF adopting appropriate resolutions
touching the death Of one of its most honor
ed members. the late DR.. William Augustus
Lee, and while 1t is a fact that have not the
honor of being member OF that body, still
as a life long friend of the deceased, trust
shall be pardoned for rising to give express
sion 10 hearty endorsement OF the resolu.
| tions which have been offered.
I knew DR.. Lee intimately and well for
many years. We were members OF the same
company during the late wal and 1t was there
| that obtained An insight into his true char.
acter-it was there and then that learned tC
honor and respect him. He entered the
army In 1861, as 3rd Lieutenant In Company
IA" of 2rd 5. G., Rifles and took part In most
IL not all, OF the battles In which that gallant
regiment was engaged, up to The surrender o.
Appomattox, at which time, aud for quite q
while before, he was In Command OF his
Company with the ranks OF lst Lieutenant.
| He seemed TO be possessed OF charmed
life for while he took par: In many OF The
severest battles of the war. believe he was
never wounded, although he had several
very close calls. I recall one which was al
the battle OF Petersburg, where he had but
ton cut from The breast of his uniform by q
minnie ball. But while be was one OF the
bravest OF the brave q soldier, who perform
ed his duty untlinchingly-he was not OF AN
aggressive mpetuous or reckless disposi ton
but instead he was Of a most amlhble ano
gentle nature, and what he did AZ soldier
was prom pied solely Dy q sense OF duty and
love of country. 1t was not then amid scenes
OF carnage-suffering and death-the in
separable concomltants Of war that our de-
ceased friend appeared 10 greatest advantage
for in these he took no pleasure, whatever
but it was as husband, father, friend-tht
highly educated Christian gentleman-and II
| will be In these several relationships, thai
he will be most missed In this community.