The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-19

| revolving in 1861 against the Union be-
cause of his election in spite Of their con-
trary votes than they will have for re-
peating their violence because Of the re-
election of President Mckinley in 1900
against their solid opposition.
At time when the flag and the Gov
eminent Lee had sworn to defend "hon-
estly and faithfully against their enemies
| or opponents whomsoever" were in sore
need of the most loyal obedience to their
oaths by officers Of the Army he wrote to
General Scott Ito tender my resignation,
| which l request you will recommend for
| acceptance" Two days later, without
waiting for such acceptance or receiving
dismissal from the service In which he had
been for a generation. he was appointed by
| the Governor Of Virginia to the chief COM
mand of its insurrectionary forces, and the
next day was publicly invested with that
| command. He resigned in face Of the en-
envy and while still an officer of the United
States Army he forswore himself by tax
ing command Of its enemies and thus be-
came deserter. 49,
Now. these are incontrovertible facts,
No army can hold together unless its Off
GERS and enlisted men are faithful to such
an oath as Robert E. Lee violated. No
nation can be preserved from anarchy
unless Its officers obey such an oath in
"a
capital military crime. crime against
civilization, cannot be denied. Nor was
there any pretext for 1t in a state of rev.
olution existing. for the Government of
the, United States was simply engaged in
an effort to regain its own property yio-
lently taken from 1t. 1t had not commit
ted nor had 1t suggested or meditated any
act or proceeding in violation OF the Con-
stitution or to the injury Of any State. II
an officer of the army throws up his COM
mission and goes over to the enemies or
opponents" of the flag he has sworn to
serve honestly and faithfully" against
them. 1t Is bad enough. but when he thus
deserts it In the very face OF the enemies
and Joins them In attacking it, without
waiting for dismissal from its service. ia
he entitled to exaltation before American
youth among the most illustrious of the
heroes and benefactors Of the Republic?
However lenient the consideration we |
may rive to Robert E. Lee because of the |
perplexities Of the situation in which he |
was at the outbreak of the civil war. is |
his name fifty chosen to inspire among |
youth an emulation stimulating to manly |
virtue and conducive to the perpetuity OF !
the Republic? II under that name could be |
put this expression as coming from Lees |
lips its exaltation in the American Hall of |
Fame would not be incongruous: 81 have
Union for more than fifty years and as
long as God permits me to live 1 will de-
fend that flag with my sword. even IL my
own native State assails it," But this
loyal and soldierly sentiment, worthy Of
immortal preservation. was uttered, not
by Robert E. Lee. but by another Virgin
ian. Winfield Scott
Are our words harsh? That is not a
question to ask of them. Are they true
words? AT this time there has come up a
false and mushy sentimentality which
would have the American people forget the
outrage against the Republic committed by
the rebellious forces under the command
OF Robert f. Lee; forget the fearful strug-
gle by means OF which. after awful self
sacrifice and fearful expenditure OF life and
treasure. this great nation was preserved
to become one of the foremost Powers OF
1t is that weak and mawkish
which puts the name of Lee
among the great commanders entitled to
the veneration of posterity 1t is the name
of an accomplished soldier and man of
otherwise exemplary and even beautiful
life, who failed to render the illustrious
service to his country of which he was
because of the surrender of his
soldierly honor to assaiI the flag he had |
sworn honestly and faithfully to serve and
defend against its enemies or opponents
whomsoever." 1t was harsh punishment
lie received, but its severity was not great
er than the crime.
Hall to the Stars and Stripes. Forever
md always, death and confusion to It's
enemies