The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1904-02-05

to shape his career as be did
never doubted that on a high pub
lie plane he would have illustrate,
the same exalted virtue which
Washington left as heritage t
his country.
After Appomattox, when Gen
Lee returned to his home in Rich
mond, he was confronted with (
PROBLEM which to him was quite
as full of care as that in the solu
ton of which he had been engaged
for four years. So those who saw
him then when the triumphant
army of Sheridan was marching in
review on its way to be mustered
out at Washington, he gave words
that were at once wise counsel and
a forecast of his future course
There was feeling of great un
rest and doubt among the paroled
Confederation as to what they
should do. Rigid orders had been
issued by Gen. Halleck, which to
them foreboded no good, and raised
an apprehension that even the pa
role of Lee would be disregarded.
Meetings were held and many
were in favor of leaving the coun,
try for Mexico, Brazil or else
where, when the advice of Gen.
Lee was sought through a commit
tee. He counseled them against
such thoughts. He said the situa-
ton looked gloomy, but he had
faith in the honor of Gen. Grant
and that he would not permit his
or their paroles to be violated, but
that whatever ensued it would
never to do for him or them to
leave the country and abandon the |
South in its extremity. He rapid
ly reviewed its condition, the land
a wreck, the people impoverished,
the young growing up in ignor-
ance. As father speaking to his
children he said: 1--WE must all
remain here among our people and
devote ourselves to building up
the waste places and educating the
children of the South" The con-
ference closed and his words re-
ported to those awaiting. There
was no more talk of emigrating,
out all, acting on his advice, re
turned to their homes, and there
begun the struggle which In late
years has fruited in the present
prosperity of the South.
1t was at that early date, in May,
1865, that Gen. Lee already began
o lay his plans for the reconstruc-
ion of the South on the high plane
If industry, patriotism and educa
ion, As the days passed he re-
'eived great offers, which carried
With them high salaries and a life
# ease and comfort, for the use of
lis name in various financial or in
Iustrial schemes. Fl 9 declined
hem all. But when in the follow
ng August he was offered the
of Washington College
t Lexington, Virginia, he gave a
eady response marked with char
cteristic modesty. 1t was an in
which, under the name of .
Liberty Hall, f" had been endowed
y Washington with a gift of
onds, which still yields an annual
1come of $4,000 year. 1t held
ut the opportunity for which he
ought, yet he had some doubts of
he propriety of its acceptance. In
is response, dated August 26,
865, he expresses fear of his abil-
y to undergo the labor of con.
ucting classes in a regular course
f instruction, or that he could
ndertake more than the general
administration and supervision of
ne institution. Then he added:
There is another subject which
as caused me serious reflection,
nd is, | think, worthy of the con-
Iteration of the Board. Being
from the terms of amnes-
7 10 the proclamation of the Pres
lent of the United States, of the
9th of May last, and an object of