Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-10-01
GEN. LEES PORTRAIT.
WHY Is 1T MISSING FROM i"''
HALL AT WEST PoiNTs
WAS II GENERAL JAMES l.. BATES
who Restored to Little MISS VI
warrenfon q captured" Contede-
r.to FIar,-RoU of Company -, OF
the Fiftieth virginia Regiment.


Tie following communication appear
ed in yesterdays Washington Post from
Mrs. Mitchell, wife Of Mr.. w. n. Mitchell
the southern representative Of the Balti-
more and Ohio railroad:
editor Post: Your uniform fairness 70
the South encourages the writer, whose
father fought under the southern banner
to ask through your columns why the
portrait Of Robert +. Lee has never been
replaced on the walls Of the graduation
nal at West Point. with the other su-
perintendents Of that institution? On
recent visit there / noticed that this gal
Iery Of portraits was conspicuous by tho
absence Of that Of our peerless Nirginian
soldier. Has II not right on those walls
when the South is q part OF the Union
that supports this famous school! or
can It's exclusion be for the reason thaI
Robert L. Lee was second TO 10 genera!
of modern times. and the hero Of 50 many
battles as leader OF the southern army?
III so. must our southern heroes OF the
late war-Schley, Wheeler Hobson,
Brumby. Bugley, Blue, and others-bs
stricken from the roll Of honor in these
days OF reconciliation?
Mrs. w. y. MITCHELL
Atlanta, Ga, September list
IL seems that in some instances YET
There. has not been an entire biOtung out
OF tho reminders Of the war between tho
States. since the noble conduct Of all the
people OF the South in the American
Spanish war there have uecn many at
testations Of the sincere ana thorough re-
Cancellation OF the North and South and
we believe in their sincerity.
But now and then there is q discovery
such as was made by this highly esteem
"a Atlanta lady. II is TO be hoped that
ths failure 10 restore the portrait Of The
noble Robert w. Lee was purely an over
sight That It should have been removed
during the civil war. and was perhaps
justhaJle when passion ruled the heart
Of men I'm both sections, is not surprising.
But the dawn Of O better day has come.
The spirit of reunion and fraternity
fills the national air. The blood OF the
Blue and tie blood Of the Gray has min
gled in lCyal and united current upon th3
battle-heids Of Santiago and Manila. jos
Wheeler. Of the Confederate horse, mas
ridden glorously at the head OF the
Union cavalry 4 grandson OF Lincoln
and a grandson Of Grant have served
with gauan,ry upon the stan OF Fitzhugn
Lee. ana NJ lll.rlli NAhiNl4lANe biAlN-A ~
the Federal armies, and by grace Of Cod
and viii of the people, the generous
President Of the United states, has told
our southern heroes IN Atlanta that the
time has come when the National Gov
eminent can care with honor for the
graves of the Confederate dead!
IL IS unworthy Of this great govern
ment and of the generous day in which
VIC live that this small evidence of bitter
ness should linger upon the walls Of the
institution in which the soldier heroism
Of our country is TO BE- developed. Let US
take it for granted that IT is mere over
si-ht that has continued the omission
from this roll OF honor the stainless
name of Robert u. Lee.
But let Us hope that an early resolution
will be passed without dissent through
the coming Congress, restoring TO the
walls Of the academy the name u the
great soldier and bameless gentleman
whose character and genius are now a
shining part of the glories Of our common
country.