Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-11-07
Gen. Robert e Lee.

OF al the southern generals IN NnS ~NAN
feSerate struggle. IL is, agreed by friend
and foe that General Lee stood on the
very topmost round Of the ladder.
He was. and is. TO my mind. truly
great man. When I recOllect that he had
= distinguished position in the United
States army and left his honors and his
homes for q regular promotion TO go with
the southern army and the state OF Viz
ginfa. Il goes without saying that MS
mind and heart underwent a terrible
struggle but having given his allegiance
70 his native state. he never faltereo IN
his devotion from first 10 last, from De-
ginning TO end
He was as true to his people the night
before Appomattox as he was in the hour
OF greatest victory as commander-'n-
chief.
II was very interesting. some years ago,
70 me 10 20 through his longtime home
AT Arlington. 20 look at the places that
were familiar to him in early manhood
and M TO the hour when he babe adieu
20 his beloved home forever. 10 see the
various things that were his and his wife's
during that halcyon period OF domestic
bliss before the tOcsin Of war pealed over
The southland. when they and their chill
dren occupied one Of the most distinguish
ed places in society. and were the fnti-
mate friends and associates Of the best
people in the union.
As I WANDERED through the parlors, in-
suected the dining room and stood on the
porches I could IN memory al these places
with some OF the noblest Of the citizens OF
the republic on gala occasions. and none
were greater than the splendid soldier
who owned Arlington. and who was even
greater in defeat and comparative poverty
than he was during the afhuent circum-
stances that attended his early life.
But General Lee had n himself the ele-
ments OF greatness. He was not dependent
On money or position TO make his name
famous.
When he passed away the whole south
bowed in grief and strong men wept like
they were his own children.
Away hack yonder in his boyhood he
laid the foundation for clean living and
upright conduct, and he simply grew and
developed into a noble Christian patriot
Of the finest type and character.
am anxious that the young people who
read The Semi-Weekly shall study a let
ter that General Lee wrote to one OF his
own boys II is perfect Of it's kind. II win
be good reading for everybody's boy fifty
years from now. Cut II out and paste Il
in a safe place. because IL will be good
20 read more than once
LETTER FROM GEN.LEE TO HIS SON.
MY Dear Son: am Just in the act Of
leaving nv home for New Mexico. Ny
old regiment has been ordered to that dis
fant region. and must hasten to see that
they are properly taken care OF. I have
but little 10 add In reply TO your letters
OF March Is. q and . Your letters
breathe a true spirit Of franlness; they
have gwen myself and your mother great
pleasure. You must study 10 be frank with
the world: frankness Is the child Of hon.
eSty and courage. Say what you mean TO
do on every occasion. and 1 take IL for
granted you mean to do right. II friend
asks a favor. YOU should grant IL IL IL is
ell r.f1 TIL -r~rr~
you cannot: you viii wrong him and
wrong yourself by equivOcations OF any
kind. Never do a wrong thing TO make
friend OF keep one: the man who requires
you to do so is dearly bought at a sacri-
nee. Deal kindly but firmly with your
classmates: you win find II the policy
which wears best. Above all. do not ap-
pear 70 others what you are not. II you
have any fault 10 find with any one. tell
him. not others. OF what you complain;
there Is no more dangerous experiment
than that OF undertaking 10 be one thing
before mans face and another behind
his back We should live. act and say
nothing TO the injury OF any one. II is not
only best as a matter OF principle, but Il
Is the path 10 peace and honor.
In regard 20 duty. let me. In conclu-
sion Of this hasty letter. inform you that
nearly hundred years ago there was a
day OF remarkable gloom and darkness
stfIl known as the dark day-a day when
the light Of the sun was slowly extinguish-
ed as II by an eclipse. The legislature OF
Connecticut was in session. and as it's
members saw the sudden and unexpected
darkness coming on they shared in the
general awe and terror. II was supposed
BY many that the last day, the day OF
judgment. had come. Some one. IN the
CONSERVATION OF the hour. moved an adj
journment- Then there arose an old Puri-
tan legislator. Davenport Of Stamford. and
said that II the last day had come. he de-
sired 20 be found at his place doing his
duty. and therefore moved that candles
be brought in 50 that the house could
proceed with its duty. There was quiet