The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1906-02-15
Gen. Robert E. Lee, Commander.
in.Chief of the
CONFEDERATE ARMY
Last Section of an Address Delivered
Recently by DR.. John A. Wyatt Be-
fore the New York Southern
Society. A Grand Tribute
to q Grand Man.

to q Grand Man.
What Of this charge Of treason and
what kind of traitor was Lee? A dis
stnguished soldier and citizen Of Mass
achusetts, Charles Francis Adams,
reared in the New England school Of
politics, himself throughout the war
In the army that confronted Lee, son
Of that Charles Francis Adams who as
United States minister to England
during the Civil war probably did as
much as any other man to defeat the
Cause cf the Confederacy, grandson Of
John Quincy Adams and great.grand.
SON Of that elder Adams who succeed
ed Washington as president OF the
United States, a man who 30 differed
from Lee in his Interpretation OF the
duty an American citlzan owes as be.
tween his States and the central gov
srnnnent that he declared he would 60
against NJ Massachusetts, for the Union,
mas written this for histoay.
If Robert E Leo was . traitor, so
also and indlspusably was George
Washington. Washington furnishes a
precedent at every point. A Virgin
ian, like Lee, he wea also O British
subject; he had fought under the Brit
lsh flag, as Lee had fought under that
Of the United States; when, in 1776,
Virginia seeded from the British en-
oire he went with bis State, just as
Lee went IS years later subsequently,
Washington commanded armies in the
ield designated by those opposed to
them 90 1.-THE rebels Of '76," much as
Lee later commanded and et last sur
rendered mueh larger armies, also de.
| signated rebels" BY those they con-
fronted. Except in their outcome the
cases were therefore, preoisoly alike;
and logic Is logic. 1t consequently
appears TO follow that II Leo was .
traitor Washington was also"
He furthur says:
In him there are eXemplifed those
lofty elements of personal character
| ahich, typifying Virginia at her high
est, made Washington possible. Es
sentially soldier, Robert E. Lee was
many sided man. I might speak of
| nim as a strategist, but OF this aspect
IT the man enough has perhaps been
said. I might dilate On his restraint
In victory; his patient endurance In
the face OF adverse fortune, tho serene
dignity with which no in the end tri-
umphed over defeat. But, passing over
all these we'll worn themes, shall
confine myself to that one attribute
of bis which, recogniz: I'd in soldier
by an opponent, I cannot but regard
a. his surest and lofGiest title to en-.
during fame. I refer to his humanity
in arms and bis scrupulous regard for
the most advanced rules Of modern
warfare"
Denying the contention that war
must be made hell, holding up to exc
Grafton the authors OF the bloodlest
deeds in history, this generous foe and
great American said:
II rejoice that no such hatred at
taches to tho name Of Lee. Reckless
Of life to attain the legitimate ends
If war, be sought to mitigate its hor-
rors. Opposerto him at Gettysburg,
I here, 40 years later, do him Justice.
No more creditable order ever issued
from commanding general than that
formulated and signed at Chambers
burg by Robert E. Lee, as toward the
close OF June, 1868. he advanced on a
war of invasion. No greater disgrace
be then declared, can befall the army,
and through it our whole people, than
The perpetration OF barSarous Outrages
upon the innocent and defenceleas.
Such proceedings not only digrace the
perpetrators and al connected with
Them, but are subversive Of the dis.
cipline and efficiency Of the army, and
destructive Of the ends OF our move
ment. It must be remembered that
we make war only on armed men,
I'm scope and spirit Lees order was
observed, and doubt II hostile force
ever advanced into an enemy's coun-
try or fell back from 1t in retreat
leaving less cause OF hate and bitter
uess tha4 did the army Of northern
Virginia In that memorable cam paign
which eliminated at Gettysburg"
In dwelling on this theme, in con-
trast to Lees humanity, may not
the avenging pen or history" qnote
from Ohio in the War" by the Hon.
Whitelaw Reed, at this time subass-
ador OF the United States at the Court
of St. James's, who in speaking OF
the burning OF Columbia wrote:
1T was the most monstrous barbar-
Ity of this barbarous march. Before
his movement began Gen. Sherman
begged permission to turn his army
loose in South Carolina and devastate
1t. He used this permission to the
full. He protested that he did not
wage war upon women and children.
But, under the operations OF his
orders, the last morsel Of food was
taken from hundreds Of destitute fam
lies that bis soldiers might feast In
needless and riotous abundance. Be.
fore his ewes rose. day after day, the |