Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-19
Lees Birthday.

Lees Birthday.
This is the birthday OF General Robert
Edward Lee. He was born i'm Westmore-
land county in 1877. and died in Lexington
October u, 1910.
The lapse Of time hr!ghtens, rather
than dims. the lustre OF Lees name.
Here we have recently had Professor
Andrews. the president Of Now Eng
land COLLEGE. and an author of several
yidelv-rcad historical works, declaring
that as n general Lee IS 10 be ranked
with Marlborough and Wellington.
The defeated general usually has few
admirers. 1t is too often taken for
granted that because he did not always
win victories he was untitled for COM
mand. Not so in Lees case. As statistics
become more obtainable and as we look
over the fields where he fought, now I'M
clouded by the smoke OF battle the won
der is that h was as able 10 accomplish
so much with resources so measre.
Yes: Lee place in history as great
commander is secure The world accords
it to him not grudginely, but enthusiast
cally. Longstreets snarllng is drowned
in the general chorus OF praise.
But Lee was something more than a
great general: he was great man. HUI
manly speaking, his life was spotless. NO
mother can err who tells her boy TO try TO
be as good man as Lee was There are
no stories about him that could not be
printed He was a model of maniiness.
lie was courteous alike to the greatest
and humblest In short. he was modest,
dirnifed Christian soldier. Yet he was
one OF the most aggressive men that the
Confederacy had. Longstreet declares that
Lee never could see the blue line forming
in front OF him without wishing to rush
forward and attack it at once. President
Davis also testified TO Lees boldness IN
conceiving campaigns, and to his daring
IN executing them. Yet he was not IN
cautious or wasteful Of life. No sooner
had Lee been put in command Of the
army before Richmond than he deter
mined to drive Mcclellan out OF his en-
trenchments at the point Of the bayonet.
Mcclellan had come 10 fear that Lee
would do this, and was on the eve OF
retreating when up dashed Lees men.
Then women and children stood on the
hills here. and saw the fash Of our guns
at Mechanicsville Day after day their
sound grew fainter, for day by day the
enemy retired from our front until after
seven days, he had reached the shelter
Of his gunboats, OH James river. Every
where the Confederates were the attack
ing party; everywhere they were success
ful. until Malvern Hill was reached.
Twice did Lee throw his men across
the Potomac nor could lack Of success
there daunt him or break the splendid
record of hs army. At the second battle
OF Cold Harbor. fought two years after
sharpsburg. and one year after Gettys-
burg. Lee defeated Grant with enormous
slaughter. Never were the Federal dead
piled In bigger heaps than at Cold Harbor
IN 1864.
But the Confederates were not destined
20 win many more such battles. The
blockade OF our coast; the coils OF almost
iimitless numbers thrown about us on the
land pressed the breath of life out of
the Confederacy.
All, how Lee must have suffered then.
What cares he carried: what burdens Of
responsibility he bore. But he never
ainched. Not the slightest change in his
manner was to be seen; nor did he In
those sad days omit in the slightest the
courtesies which made glad the life OF
those about him.
When. at Appomattox, resistance could
no longer avail: when further bloodshed
would have been useless. Lee resolved TO
ask terms Of Grant. He who seldom spoke
of his personal feeling was moved by the
anguish of the hour to say that he would
rather die a thousand deaths than go to
Grant on such mission. But he went.
IL never occurred 10 him TO Impose the
dkagreeable task upon another. His duty
done: his farewell address written, and
read to his weeping soldiers. he came here
10 Richmond. and rejoined his family.
Thenceforward be showed the world how
a truly great man shsuld meet adversely.
He died AT his post of duty as president
OF Washington College. at Lexington now
Washington and Lee University, being
less than q years OF age.
Already there have been some OBJ
servances OF Lees birthday, and
other obseryances will occur to-
day. and st,li others tomorrow.
Now, on behalf Of the people OF Lees
own state, we should like to see the
Legislature provide the little money that
is needed 10 make needed repairs to his
monument The hour suggests the act.
IL Is not a question to be argued. Liberal
provision should be made for the accom-
mediation OF more Of Lees followers in our
Soldiers Home. Nor should the aged and
stricken soldiers In the country be for
gotten; nor the widow Of any man who
took upon himself the dangers and hard