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

TO face tremendous odds. As an officer Of
long serivceN in the old army, with an es-
tablished record for honor and probity,
Lee must have felt that history would
Justify his act did he cast his fortune
with the Union, in fact the larger section
of the country would glorify the deed, as
1t has actually done in the case OF Thomas
and other southern officers who fought
for the northern cause Backed by the
resources of the Union and led by his
genius, Lee could confidently have pre-
dicted a hopeless, though desperate strug-
gle on the part Of the south, and success
with all its awards OF honor and office as
his portion. Again, I say what pros
pecti To a Caesar or Napoleon its allure
ments would have proved final. To Lee,
I make bold to say, they were not even
tempting. Though at first opposed TO Sc
cession, as were many other southern
men, from the standpoint of expediency'
he did not for a moment doubt the consti-
tutional right OF a state to secede. AS
student of history he knew that Massa-
chusetts and other northern states were
pioneers in Nthe idea of secession when
they felt their interest threatened by the
Louisiana Purshase, and as student OF
the constitution, he knew thate states had
the right so to act so believing, he felt,
as did the people of Massachusetts, In
earlier times, that his first duty was to
states. So that when his state seeded,
he was a Virginian and not Unionist-
Furthermore, in the progress of events,
Immediately prior to the civil war, there
can be little doubt that Lee was led to
share the conviction of the great body
of his countrymen that separation from
the north would be best for both sections
concerned. That on account of total dif-
ference In temperament and institutions,
harmony was impossible. and the bitter
ness OF the past forty years was but an
earnest of permanent future discord
BY conviction and patriotism. then, as
honest and pure as ever found Judgment
in human breast Lees duty was plain,
and duty" to him. was 1.-THE sublimest
word in the English language" The call
of his state was the call Of honor, and to
that summons he was never recreant let
the consequence be what they might. The
relative weakness Of the south was the
strongest appeal to his chivalry, and for
her sake, he was willing to do his mighty
best, and If need be, die.
would that time permitted us to fol-
low Lee in the details of his career as
Confederate general. No more enthrall-
ing subject is presented by history, nor
one, 1 am sure, dearer to the hearts Of
this audience.
But strong as Is the temptation, we
ions the pleasing task. contenting our
selves now with such incident as time
will permit. gte
Passing over the indecisive events Of the
first year of the war, we come to that
morning in June. 1862, when by the wound
ing Of Joseph p. Johnson Lee was placed
in command of the Army of Northern Vir-
ginia. His appearance as he was riding to
the front at Seven Pines to assume that
active leadership which he retained until
the close of the bloody drama, Is thus de-
scribed by an eyewitness: Calm, digni-
fed and commanding in his bearing, a
countenance benevolent and self-possess-
ed, a clear, honest eye that could look
friend or enemy in the face clean-shaven,
except a closely trimmed mustache. which
gave touch of flrmness to the well-shap-
ed mouth; simply and neatly dressed in
the uniform of his rank; felt hat and top
boots reaching to the knees; sitting on
his horse as II his home was in the saddle;
such was Robert b. Lee as he appeared
when he assumed command of the army
Of Northern Virginia"
The man and the occasion had met. No
grander army ever had knightlier leader.