Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-02-26

South is in state OF revolution, into
which Virginia, after d long struggle,
has been drawn, and. though i recog-
nize no necessity for this state Of
things, and would have forborne. and
pleaded to the end for redress Of griev
ances, real or supposed, yet in my own
person l had to meet the question.
whether ! should take part against my
native state. With all my devotion to
the Union, and the feeling of loyalty
and duty of an American citizen, I
have not been able to make up my
mind to raise my hand against my
relatives, my children, my home.
have, therefore, resigned my commits
sion in the army, and save in defense
of my native state, with the sincere
hope that my poor services may never
be needed, l hope / may never be
called on to draw my sword.
81 know you will blame me, but you
must think as kindly of me as you can,
and believe that l have endeavored to
do what thought right. To show you
the feeling and struggle at has cost me,
/ send copy of my letter to General
Scott, which accompanied my letter of
resignation. ] have no time for more;
May God guard and
protect you and yours, and shower
upon you every blessing, is the prayer
of your devoted brother,
"R. L. LEE"
These very letters show that he In
his every day deeds conformed to his
own ennobling words, DUTY Is the sub
limst word In our language.
Human virtue should be equal to hui
man calamity" AS one stands on the
portico OF the old house. he partly
realizes what private fortunes and flu
ture hopes Lee. sacrificed when he re-
signed from the United States army.
But we had quite forgotten Arlng-
ton. On the Virginian hills across the
Potomac from washington is the old
home. Entrance Is made through the
Sheridan gate, and pretty winding
paths among the trees bring us to the
house, and antique looking structure.
with large Doric columns. 1t resembles
some ancient Athenian temple. The
builder was George Washington Parke
Curtis, whose grandmother became
Mrs. Martha Washington. Mary Curtis
married Robert II. Lee in 1881. and at
Arlington their hnppiest days were
spent. When the war broke out. Lee
babe adieu to this beautiful spot, and
| 1t soon fell into the hands of Federal
| troops, the mansion becoming the
headquarters OF General Mcrgs, md
the grounds q military camp and
cemetery.
The view from the portico OF the
| house IL extremely fascinating. Below
at the foot of the slope IL the Potomac,
| flowing calmly on to the great Chesa-
| peake Bay. To the south is Alexadria
| and across the river the National Cap
itol, with it's beautiful suburbs of hills
and dales. Beyond are the hills Of
| Maryland gradually recedng to the
| horizons rim. The grounds at Arlington
are beautiful. II seems that mother
| Nature has been moldlng for years the
spot which should protect the remains
| of so many of our nations heroes
| There are flower beds and lawns, and
beautiful trees that have been grow
| ing for many, many years, and 1t was
| the beauty Of these that caused La
| fayette to say. when visiting here
| "Remember how much easier 1t is to
| cut down a. tree than to make one
J grow" All day the Stars and Stripes
float in front OF the house, until tbs