Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-04-17


Confederacy. Ladies and Gentlemen:
Back in the momentous days Of 1853
around a campfire on the historic banks
OF the Rappahannock, little knot Of grey
clad men were discussing Darwin's the
Nory OF ascent from the lower orders OF
animal life. Strange topic for soldiers
bivouac but here. as elsewhere, product
i've OF that hot debate which its appeal
and counter-repulsion ever excite In the
minds OF men.
Warm and fast waged the war OF words
threatening hostilities more serious,
when a tall, lank rebel. hitherto silent
witness OF the scene. silenced opposition
and climaxed argument by eXclainlns
that however probable the simian ances-
try OF most men. the fact remained that
only a God could have made the immortal
Leel This ample, though exalted, tribute
Of the soldier boy strikes responsive
chords in our hearts today, and evokes
harmonies OF love and praise which II Is
our privilege and our duty to express.
on this, the natal day OF our southern
chieftain, II Is meet and important that
we turn the exacting demands Of every
day life TO pay our tribute to those he
roes who in unselfsh patriotism made US
heirs to historys brightest records; and
to their leader, who was the noolest
southerner OF them ALL Consigned TO the
iRnominy which they deserve be those who
to the heroes OF the sixties; baffied in
their unworthy efforts those who would
rob us OF our most sacred memories, or
seek to divert their indulgence. Tarnish
In the eyes of the south's rising genera
ton memories OF the Conrederacy and you
place a canker at the core OF southern
citizenship which will destroy its adj
herence to any national claims. For upon
traitorous ingratitude to those who gave
their all for US II is impossible to build a
citizenship having in IL the first elements
or stability or patriotism. No, leave US
alone with the defenders of our cause.
The lessons of their lives, preserved as
our noblest heritage VIII inspire us, their
children, TO high thoughts and noble
deeds which God and country will COM
mend.
The countless millions Of mankind, made
in the image OF their creator but degen-
Grated by sin, represent a somewhat roll
ing plain whose fluctuations mark the
varying stages OF attainment In the pro-
cess of mans evolution. Judged by the
relative standard Of the humanities, the
lines OF differentiation are not so marked
as we in our egotism either desire or ad-
NIT The plain is more nearly level than
IL should be in the light of opportunity
and privilege. Yet here and there above
this wide expanse rise lofty peaks whose
towering heights but typify those colos-
IN the world TO show His first intent in
mans creation. OF each 1t may be said:
"As some tall cliff that lifts fits awful
form,
swells from the vale. and midway leaves
the storm
Tho round its breast the rolling clouds
are spread,
Eternal sunshine settles on it's head
Exemplars are these lofty men; types OF
human possibility when the seeds Of high
/ Character are ripened by right living.
Their lives. representing as they do re-
allied ideals. inspire personal endeavor
/ 10 its possible attainment. From the
brief list Of such rare characters, II is
my privilege this afternoon to emphasize
the life Of one who exalts mans highest
destiny, our peerless leader. Robert Ed
ward Lee.
In approaching this consideration we do
so with no idea Of adding original thought
or treatment to the many tributes which
have been paid the subject Already the
/ life Of Lee and its lessons have time and
i time again been made the theme Of
poets song. OF orators eloquence. Of pull
pits illustration, and OF historians re-
cord. But while we cannot add, we may
/ and must recount 10 reap the benefit, and
vitalize our gratitude lest we forget"
Time does not permit nor necessity de-
mand. that we picture the life Of Lee in
Il its weli-known incidents. From out the
rich treasures OF the subject. let US Sc
lect certain phases pertinent 20 the oc-
casion and helpful in effect. Naturally
Il the first thing that comes to the mind,
and without which any mention would
be faulty. pictures Lee IN his chosen ca
reer as soldier. and soldier as applied to
him, means leader. Coming from that
/ lxnightly race of cavaliers, whose mar
tial deeds have placed old England in the
/ forefront Of the nations, Lees very in
stincts were soldierly, though tempered, in
Il HIS case, by a humaneness that made
| war a case OF last resort. The verdict
final. however. the fighting blood of his
i ancestry rose I'm the ascendency, and any
struggle was to be the struggle TO the
death. Coupled with this English hertz
Il age were qualities not less marked and
i even more important. of peculiarly Sou
thern heredity. The traits, recognized and
appreciated even by political and sectional
foes. Justify me in quoting the following
characterization from no less parsonage
Il than the senior Senator from Massachu-
i sets They have" he said. IAN aptness
for command which makes the Southern
gentleman, wherever he goes, not a peer
Il only, but prince. They have a love for
home; they have, the best Of them, and
the most Of them. inherited from the great
race from which they come the sense of
Il 0ull anu the instinct OF nOnOr as no OLner
people on the face OF the earth. They are
lovers of home. They have not the mean
| traits which grow up somewhere in places
/ where money-making is the chief end of
i life. They have, above all, and giving
/ value TO all that supreme and superb
1 constancy which, without regard to per-
sonal ambition and without yielding TO the
| temptation OF wealth, without getting tired
/ and without getting diverted, can persue a
great public object in and out. year after
year, and generation after generation
This heritage Of Lee, my friend, is your
heritage and mine. From such stun
traitors are not made, but leaders, and If
need be martyrs The past history Of our
section proves both assertions The day Of
martyrdom Is past. The era of resumed
dominancy is near at hand.
As preliminary TO his profession. Lee en-
Il 1oyed the advantages of West Point, that
famous national school which has given
10 the republic its greatest leaders and
10 the world some OF fits most famous gen.
erals. Here his natural sense Of duty was
developed by the rigid exactioRs Of honor
and discipline enforced. and at the end of
his four years service we find young Lee
] graduating as cadet adjutant OF the bat
talon. second in his class, and without
Il ever having received a dement,. To one
acquainted with the endless details and
rigorous requirements Of a cadets life at
West Point. this last record is nothing
short OF marvellous. II betokens that per-
Il requisite Of success In the career not only
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