Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-16
A virginian in Opposition.

To tie Editor of The Evening Star:
L. T. Everett in your columns states that
he has lived for some years among the
people of Virginia" and feel fit and chosen
to speak for her on this subject of the Lee
statue. VIII you now grant space to one
who was born upon her soil and resided
there for more than a third of a century,
and who views the subject from the stand
point of loyal Virginian and true wor-
shipper at the shrine of his whole country?
/ will premise by saying. what all will
admit. that Just now the United States
stands upon the very pinnacle of the ma
lions of the earth. Now, here Is a man
who led more than 100 600 Of his neighbors
friends and admirers to slaughter to pre-
vent his country's reaching this proud
position. For where is there a man SO
utterly assinine as to believe that either
of the discovered fragments of the Union
could ever have reached this proud posi-
ton? / am charitable enough to believe
that even L. Il. Everett might be induced
to blush at the counter proposition. 1t Is
nothing short of nauseating to hear par
allel drawn between Washington and Lee.
Washington had never been party to the
compact fixing the relations between Eng
land and the colonies. He never SWore al
legiance to the crown, acceptance of her
constitution or obedience to her laws. He
found himself q born deniZen Of depend
ency in the government of which he had
no voice. compelled to obey laws which
he had no hand In making or the privilege
of rejecting amending. He groaned
under all the abuses and tyrannes which
Jefferson so eloquently set forth in the
Declaration and from which he had no
escape or hope of relief. though so often
so piteousy presented at the foot of the
throne England then invaded her colonies
to enforce submission: then Washington
drew his sword against her.
How stands the case with Lee? AS rep
resentlng the south he was a party to the
compact which formed the Union. which
he then declared through Washington
should be indissoluble. He had sworn
hundred times allegiance to the Constitu
ton, obedience to the laws and devotion
to the flag Of his country. During sixty
eight years of his country's history he had
administered its affairs forty eight to the
north's twenty, and had dominated eight of
the latter. He had held the Supreme Court
almost continuously during the whole time.
or foreign and home ministers he had ap-
pointed two-thirds. He had levied and dis
bursed all revenues to his own liking, while
the non-seceding states had furnished al
most two-thirds of the whole amount. Dur
Ing ali this time not single law had been
placed on the statute books of which he
had a single cause to complainant one.
In fairly contested election between the
north and the south the former succeeded
In a perfectly constitutional manner; then
he kicked, while yet not single menace
to his section had appeared. He partook
OF the spirit expressed by Gov. Brown OF
Mississippi. who declared-"the south has
controlled this government ever since 1t was
a government. and when she can't do it
any longer I'm In for breaking up the
concern" Only this and nothing more
Mr.. Everett says Lee drew his sword to
resist the invasion OF his mother"-Vir-
ginia--when not hoof or a heel from the
north had invaded Ibis mother" until his
armed legions had encamped at the very
doors of the national Capitol--in full sight
OF the dome. In view OF the facts I have
stated--not one Of which can be controyert-
ed-what becomes Of the parallel between
Lee and Washington? Mr.. Everett should
read for more information and pray for
more light and stronger inclination to truth
funess. Now. as Virginian. I utterly
scout the idea that Robert E. Lee ever rem
dered any honorable or useful service to the
state of Virginia. From his childhood he
was taken Into the parental hands OF the
government OF the United States, fed,
clothed and groomed for It's service I'M
til the war with Mexico. In which he did
no more nor better than twenty other ma
jors and colonies that could be named.
This was his duty. one for which. as said,
the country had tenderly groomed him, and
then further rewarded him with soft. easy
and honorable positions, until at the first op-
portunity offered. when madness ruled the
hour" he drew his sword to rend her. and