The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1897-01-28
A SPLENDID TRIBUTE TO LEE

We publish to-day a very admirable
and appfeciative tribute to Genera
Rocert E. Lee, by that capital newspa
per, the Washington Post. 1t is mos
! remarkable appreciation Of the illus
trous and noble Sou'hron coming
from Northern source and IS excel
| lently sustained from first to last. Tbs
style is felicitous and scholarly anC
the whole tone elevating and emo
| bling. We are glad to read such rec
| IGNITION of the foremost 0! American
soldiers who led the greatest Of South
err armies. General Lee was long
ago properly appraised as to his great
ness by Colonel Freemantle, Colone
Chesney and Lord General Wolsely
all British soldiers, the latter the pres
| ent commander in chief Colone
| Che5ney gave it as his opinion in a
paper that we believe appeared II
| BIackWoods Magazine that the three
greatest soldiers of the English speak
ing race were Marlborough, yelling
ton, Lee, in the order Of their births
General Wo|sely has given as his opln-
| ion that Lee was a greater soldier
| than the "Iron Duke Lord yelling
ton. 4 recent historical work by a
Maine soldier, Lieutenant Colonel
Hamlin, says that Lse was the creates,
soldier in the United States army
when the war began. He pays a hand
some tribute to Lees character and
soldiership. The South should cele
brate every year the birthday of this
peerless soldier.
The above is from the Wilmington
Messenger. Following is the article
from the Post to which it refers:
\ aety years ago to-day, was born
Robert E. Lee. His forefathers had
been distinguished for patriotism and
valor in the war Of the revolution, for
service under the great Republic,
which they had done 50 much to es-
tablish, for courage, for patriotism, for
unselhsh devotion TO their country.
His was a family Of brave and honor
able men, Of virtuous and noble
women. It's traditions were Of good
faith, of loyalty, Of courtesy, Of chiva!-
nv. Robert E. Lee was worthy Of his
ancestry, and had no need to borow
their reflected light, was in MIN self a
history and model.
The world is familiar with his record
The world knows that he was no TO
menter of secession, that at the last,
according to his simple creed and con
ditlon, he went with his kindred and
his people The world knows also
that from the beginning 10 the end Of
the war he was the ideal captain pure
as Gallahad, gallant and strenuous as
Launcelot. His admirers knew no
limitations Of continent or country.
He was admired by the North as sin
cerelv as by the South. He took into
the first battle 'scutcheon stainless a..
the midday sun. He sheathed at Ap
pomattox sword as bright as Arthur'>.
There is no spot upon his noble mem
Dry, he left behind him no cause Of
bitterness, sorrow or resentment.
Al! Of rs North, South, East or West,
can be proud Of Robert E Lee. Than
he th-re has been no finer product Of
America. Gentle as he was brave,
chivalrous as he was intrepid, unsnl-
led Of thought or deed as he was in
domi'ablc Of spirit Robert E. Lee
combined in himself every quality tina,
appeals to the love, the reverence, an
the admiration Of mankind Stead
faStIy, Loyalty, thoroughly. he did his
duty as he saw il. What could man
d. mOre2