Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-26
THE LEE STATUE.
Representative Wise's Comments on
That and Other Matters,

81 presume" said Representative George
D. Wise of Richmond to Star man, that
some time in the near future when Con-
gress finds time hanging heavily On its
hands some member from the wild and
woolly west, or from some other point of
the compass, will rise in his seat and pitch
into the proposition to place a statue of
Gen Robert E. Lee in Statuary Hall. In
fact, l understand that more than one
member of the Senate and House is al
ready loaded with a speech giving more or
less reasons why the statue should be
omitted from the group of distinguished
men who already adorn the chamber.
Il shall not at this time enter into de-
bate upon the subject except to say that
Gen. Lees memory and fame dear to
the people of the south, and that neither
bronze nor marble add one whit to
either in the minds of those who appreciate
his high character and nobility of soul.
Few men north of the Potomac and Ohio
rivers understand Lee he really was.
A few in that latitude in public addresses
have, in comparing him with great mill
tary chieftains their own side. under
rated his ability a leader of armed men,
while others have pictured him as being
wrapt in an impenetraBe dignity and re-
serve.
"Dignified he was to the extent that no
one in his presence thought of taking lib
critics with him. but no one holding rela-
tions with him on matters social or other
wise could fail to be impressed with his
chiyairouS nature. No man who laid aside
the gray more determined than was
Lee to abide the arbitrament of arms and
obey the laws
LAS illustration of this, 1 recall a
period soon after the war closed. An order
had been issued that all ex-ofIicers and
soldiers wearing confederate uniforms
should exchange them for civilian clothes
as soon as possible. and that in any case
the military buttons should be cut off. 1
had just returned from military service in
the southwest, when. one day while walk
ing on one of the principal thoroughfares
late Gen. Henry A. Wise He was in a
state of wrath. and without so much as
saying 'howdy he launched into an in
Vective against the order that had just ap-
peared in manner that warmed the at
mosphere for several blocks in that mme-
date vicinity. Some one whom my uncle
knew CHANGED to pass by, and hearing what
he had to say suggested that Gen. Lee had
already complied with tie order This in
formation 50 startled my uncle that for
few seconds he was speechless. When he
finally did catch his breath he replied that
he did not believe Lee had done any such
blankety foolish thing. and started off in
the direction of Gen. Lees residence with
the avowed intention of finding out for
himself.
Il was at Gen. Wise's house when he re-
turned, and noticed when he came up the
steps that he was looking mighty glum
Without waiting to be questioned, he took
UP the subject nearest to his heart
It's true, boys he gasped. I saw the
general and the military buttons were gone
from his clothes, and he advised me to go
home and follow his example and obey the
order And he did. and so did scores of
others follow Gen. Lees example. In his
retirement Gen. Lee cheerfully took up the
burdens which fell to him, and by his ex-
ample did his full share in reconcilng the
people of the south to the new order of
things