The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1904-02-04
Danville Register.


Danvlle Register.
1t is not the purpose of this article
TO sketch the careers of Lee and Jack
son or to explain why their memories
are affectionately cherished by the
people of this State and, indeed, by
those of the whole South. Such a Ia
Dor of love has long since ceased to
be necessary. Years ago they were
lifted up high to secure abiding
place in the unwavering devotion OF
the Southern people. We know what
manner of heroic life they lived and
how nobly they died. We know much
OF what sacrifices they made, what
dangers they faced, what privatlons
they endured and for what cause.
OF their loyalty, zeal and dauntless
courage we do not need to speak to-
day. All this we might say OF thous-
ands of Others who shared their fidel-
ity to a principle, and who, inspired
by their SPLENDID examples and en-
boldened by faith in their leadership,
made new and startling records IN
the annals of human valor. Still,
Lee and Jackson possessed dlstlnc-
tive qualities which made them nota-
BILE among men. They were earnest,
pious souls. Single-minded, modest,
unassuming, they were men OF strong
convictions, deep sincerity and unfall-
ing conservation. Had they not be-
lieved with all their hearts in the
cause which they espoused, they could
not have been what they were, nor
could they have made the records
they did. They were not only true
to the soil on which they were reared,
but were also true to themselves. 1t
is, perhaps, idle to speculate today
as to whether they were right or
wrong. The opinion that the result
of the great struggle i'll which they
participated settled that question
and settled it right finds acceptance
in some minds; but if we are to be-
lieve that "the blood of the martyrs
is the seed of the church," it is not
plain. that we should endorse any
such conclusion. The cause for which
the first Christian martyr gave up his
life did not die with him. Astrenuous
soul who stood by and consented to
his death, afterwards took up the
| work To enlarge this suggestion, is
| to trace the progress OF civilization,
the gradual dissemination OF the
light that is enlightening the world.
Whether slavery should cease, or con-
tinue rs an institution on this CONT
| nent, was not the question. If it had
been, we would readily acquesce in
the opinion that the result of the con-
hict decided it. The emancipation
proclamation was issued on the plea
of national necessity, without au-
thOrity of law and not until after two
years of bloody strife over the real
issue which related to the right OF
certain States to withdraw their con-
sent from a government which had
ceased to be acceptable to them, not
| being duly regardful of their rights.
1t is our privilege tonote the fact to-
day, while we pay special tribute to
the names of Lee and jackson, that
the principle for which they con-
| tended, the right which they sought
to establish, has been recognized by
the highest official authority in this
country, a federal executive who was
placed in office by the suffrages of the
same party which denied that right
to U.S. In the light of IL fact SO sig
nificant and so recent, shall we say
that the great civil war settled this
question? Will history teach future
generations that Lee and jackson
were wrong and that they were trail
tors? Even when sectional passion
| was at white heat, the government
shrank from a trial of Jefferson Davis
on such a charge. Can Davis appear
in history as a traitor and Roosevelt
as a patriot? The latter stands for
the same principle today for which
the former stood forty years ago.
History, to be worthy of the name.
must be true. The fame of Lee and
jackson is safe. Nothing is settled
that is not settled right. ''Truth
crushed to earth will rise again" II
Shakespeare was England's best gift
to the world, surely Virginia has con-
tributed nothing more ennobling
| lHctll liltSt t"O 1lluSlIlOuS Iutll. LII
honoring them, we honor ourselves.
| WANFEn-Several persons of ch ,'racte1
w and good reputation in each State Zone
IN this county required) to represent and ad
vertise old established wealthy business house
| of solid financial standing. Salary $21 OC
| weekly, with expenses additional, all pay
able in cash each Wednesday direct from
head offices. Horse and carriage furnished
| when necessary. References Enclose self
addressed envelope. Colonial Co., 334 Dear
| born St. Chicago