Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-01-23

to the laws of the United States, and
to do their utmost to promote the
growth of friendly relations between
the north and the south.
His example was of incalculable
benefit. He not only declined to take
any part in politics or in public affairs,
but courteously refused tempting Of
fers from abroad, which would have
brought him wealth, honor and ease,
and turned away from more than one
lucrative position that wealthy capi-
talists of the north begged him to &C.
cept.
Like most southerners, he suffered
great pecuniary loss from the war. His
exalted position as supreme leader OF
the Confederate armies gave him un-
numbered opportunities for amassing
wealth, but not penny clung to his
fingers. He was so impoverished, in
deed, that he was compelled to seek
some means of securing bread for him
self and family. Scant as were the
means in his section, lucrative business
offers poured in upon him. In August,
1865, he was offered the presidency of
Washington college, in the town of
Lexington, Va. He Immediately ac-
cepted, for the situation was congenial
in every respect. He was peculiarly
fitted by education, taste and tempera.
ment to manage youth, and his exam
pie in such a position would be benef-
cient and far-reaching in its influence
over his people. The institution was
one which Washington himself had en-.
dowed, and which for all time will
bear the name of "Washington and
Lee university"
General Lee was installed president
October 2, 1865, and at once entered
upon his duties. The ceremonies were
of the simplest nature possible, which
was in accordance with the wishes of
Lee himself. He gave his full ability
and energy to the new work to which
he had been called. The lustre of his
name brought hundreds of students
from all parts of the country, even
from the north. The institution was
in Strengthened circumstances, but un-
der his admirable administration it
speedily attained a degree of pros
perity never before known. He ele-
waited the standard of scholarship, and
infused spirit of goodwill, honorable
ambition and unity of aim, which
rendered the discipline nearly perfect.
The college received many handsome
donations from all parts of the Union
and even from Europe. The spotless
record, the exalted Christian character,
and the chivalrous dignity Of General
Lees life won the respect of the north,
and especially of those who had been
his enemies on the battlefield. He
himself had never manifested bitter
spirit during the war, and after its
close he cultivated in himself, and
enjoined upon others, spirit of kindly
feeling towards the people of the north.
In order that he might set proper
example to others, he-availed himself
of the conditions of President John
sons "amnesty" proclamation, and
applied for amnesty" sending his ap-
plication through General Grant, who
cordially endorsed it; but johnson
never condescended to notice it, and
it will remain forever a blot upon
American civilization that this greatest
of American citizens died "a prisoner
of war on PAROLE" denied the rights
of citizenship accorded to the meanest
and most ignorant Negro in the land.
A United States grand jury, under
the manipulation of the infamous
"Judge" Underwood, had found an
indictment of treason against him, but
General Grant boldly claimed that Lee
was under the protection of his parole,
and could not be tried, and johnson
had to seek some other method of
"making treason odious."
General Lee, however, was ready for
the trial and anxious to. vindicate him
self and his people before the world
and at the bar of history, for while he
fully "accepted the situation," and all
logical and proper results of the war,
he never changed his mind as to the
justice of the cause for which he fought.
He said to the grand old soldier, Gen.
eral Wade Hampton of South Carolina,
in June, 1869, alluding to the part he
took in the war ~ could have pur-
sued no other course without dishonor,
and if it were all to 60 over again I
should act in precisely the same way"
He was always accustomed to speak
of the war as our "great struggle for
constitutional freedom" But the
crowning glory of Lee, after all, was
the child-like simplicity of his faith in
Christ, his spotless Christian character,
and the earnest, though quiet, work
he did for the salvation of others. A
man of prayer, a student of Gods
word, a regular attendant on religious
services, he was the constant friend of
his chaplains during the war, and the
efficient promoter of religion among
his officers and men. When he went
to Washington college, he was as &C
tive in promoting real piety among the
students, and used the most efficient
means of doing so. eff l could only
know that all the young men in the
college were good Christians" said he
to DR.. kirkpatrick, his eyes filling with
tears and his voice tremulous with
emotion, II should have nothing more
to DESIRE"
On the afternoon of September %,
1870, he attended d meeting of the
vestry of Grace Episcopal church, of
which he was a member. He presid-
ed, and his last public act was liberal
contribution to his church. The ses-