The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-01-19

| virtues OF none are more worthy OF
| emulation. In ages to come, when the
world tells of its heroes, the name of
Robert Il. Lee will stand conspicuousy
among the greatest of them all. His
name IS written high In the niche of
fame, and so long as truth has q vo-
tary 'the people Of the Southland will
revere his memory.
| Perhaps no better tribute could be
paid the deceased chleftain than that
delivered not long since in Chicago by
Professor e. Benjamin Andrews, presi-
dent of Brown University, and who
served us Il soldier in the Federal army
during ithe war. 1t Is the more notice
able because 1t comes from a North
Grn man, who is u student and n think
CT, ana because OF its unlocked for
source. Professor Andrews said:
'IIe had the faith OF the crusader.
His letters would make q guide to holt
ness. He was always q soldier-ncver
impure in thought or act, never profane
or obscene. He did not touch the cup,
as did Grant, Hooker or Phil Sheridan,
and when he lost Il fight Il was never
said Of him that his defeat was due to
u habit which makes mems heads into
muddies. lie was never outganeraled
by Grant in all the campaigns from
the RarpahannOck to James river,
never trapped or never caught mapping.
l fail 10 find in the books any such mas
tcrful gcneralship rs this hero showed,
holding that slim gray line. half starry
cd. wSth no prospects CT additions, and
lighting when his army was too hungry
to stand and the rifles were only use
full rs clubs His courage was sublime.
He was as great as Gustavus Adolphus,
or NcpoIeon, or Wellington, or Won
Moltbs. His cause was not the Lost
Cause so much as was supposed. All
that was good in his cause has BEEN
engraftcd into our laws and constitu-
ton The doctrine Of States rights, as
now interpreted by the Supreme Court,
is in exact accordance with his claims
on the point.
General Lsc lost ut Gettysburg be-
cause tho Federal troops dad received
new motor of tremendous strength
whose power no one lSnew-Cfeneral
Hancock. He also lost because Meade's
men were lighting on Union sol-al-
most within hearing distance of the
prayers of their wives and children for
victory. They were at their hearth
stones. Men are tigers when wives and
families are the inspiration in war
1T was not until the Federal army
stood almost at the very doors Of
Richmond that General Lee was sent
la the front Heretofore he had been
but kindly regarded, but when he took
command Of that ill-disctplined. i'll
armed ana ragged army he was hailed
as Il saviour. lie oubwitted Mcclellan,
whipped two armies much larger than
his cwn stopped the advance on Rich
mond. drove Jack the Union army,
saved Richmond and was famous in II
day The world has never seen such
Gencralship, AMI the world was as
founded 1T 1t.
Lee successfully defeated, outgene-
ral5d ard routed the best generals that
| Washington could send against him.
| and it was not until the immortal
Grant. with the finest army OF veterans
! that the world has ever seen, took the
! field against him that Lees marvellous
| accomplishments received Il check
| Even against Grant, lac fought rs
| probably no either general ever fought
! and aSlinSt odd sthat would have driven
! Napc!Gon 10 despair.
1T was Il great death struggle when
| Grant faced Lee. ard Lee then knew
! that his Was a hopeless struggle. He
! kent rhat shin, gray line of ragged,
| hungry men. growing thinner and hum
| Gricr each day, together. His courage
| his wonderful presence and strong per-
sonality kept that l.ttlc band of ta,tter-
ed and emaciated men in battle ar
ray, and fought TO the last dNch, sur
| rendering only when he realized that
| 1t would be murder TO keep UP the
| struggle.
General Lees cause is not lost. .All
THAT is good Of II remains; all that was
bad has been wiped out Our country
! is better and grander to-day because
| the relations Of the several States to
the Union have been intelligently de-
fined and perhaps we owe a; least that
much to General Robert Z. Lee and
the cause he fought for"
Virginia has seen proper to make the
birthday of General Lee Il public holi-
day. consecruted to his memory. 1t
will be tittingly observed.