Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1907-01-30
ADAMS ON LEE
Closing Years Of a Great and
Useful Life

Closing Years OF Great an(
Useful Life
, Following are the closing para
graphs on the life of General R E
Lee by Hon. Charles Francis Adams
at the Lee condemnation the 10th
referring particularly to the por-
ton of his life spent in Lexing.
ton:
From the day that he affixed
HE signature to the terms of sur
render submitted TO him by Grant
at Appomattox to the day when be
drew a dying breath ct Lexington.
Lees subsequent course was con-
sistent. In his case there was no
vacillation, no regretful glances
backward thrown. He counselled
with a wisdom not less profound
because unconscious; and what he
said evinced that underlying CON.
mon sense which in politics avails
more than genius.
Five years of life and active
usefulness yet remained to General
Lee-years in my judgment most
creditable to himself, the most
useful to his country of his
whole life; for, during them, he
set to Virginia and his own people
a high example, AN example Of
lofty charec ter and simple bearing.
Uttering no complaints, entering
into no controversies, he was as
one, in suffering all, that suffers
nothing. His blood and judgment
were well conmingled; and SC it
fell cut that he accepted fortunes
Bullets and rewards with equal
thanks. His record and appearance
during those final years are pleas
ant to DIV ell upon, for they reflect
honor on our American mani ood.
Turning his face courageously to
the future. he uttered no word of
repining over the pact. Yet, like
tie noble Moor, his occupation also
was gone
1.-THE royal banner, and all quality,
Pride. pomp and circumstance OF
glorious war;
But with Lee this did not imply
Farewell the tranquil mind fare
we'll content ~
Far from it; for IS the gates closed
on the old occupation, they opened
on a new. And it was an occupa-
tion through which he gave to his
country, North and South, a price
less gift.
Speaking advicedly and on full
reflection, / say that ct all the
greet characters Of the Civil War,
and it was productive of many
whose names and deeds posterity
will long bear in recollection, there
was not one who passed away in
the serene atmosphere and with
the gracious bearing Of Lee. From
beginning to end those parting
years of his will bear closest
scrutiny. There was about then
nothing venal, nothing querulous,
not ing in fny way sordid or dis
appointing. In his case there was
no anti.climax: for those closing
years were dignifed, patient, USE
full; sweet in comestlcity, they in
all things commanded respect l.
js pleasant to catch gliTl ses of tie
erstwhile commander in that qui
Virginia life. There is in the Lic-
ture something altogether human
intensely sympathetic. "IrAvel
ler." he would write, lis my only
companion; l usy also cay my
pleasure. He and |, whenever
practicable, wander out in the
mountains and enjoy swee: conf
dence." o: again We see hin, al
ways with Traveller, the famous
old charger this tire stepping
very proudly" as his rider showed
those two little suLbonneted daugh'
ers of professor, astride OF
Pleading old horse, over pleasant
road, quite unknown to them.
Once more in Imagination We may
ride, his compar ions, through |
those mountain roads of his dearly |
loved Virginia, or seek shelter with
him and his daughter from
thunder shove: in the log cabin,
the inmates of which are stunned
when too late they realize that the
courtIy, gracious intruder was no
other than the idolized General
Lee.
The most marked feature Of his
educational career was the moral
influence he exerted on the student
body,-what has most fly been
described by one associated with
him as "the mighty Influence of his
character" Here, as in
the Army of Northern Virginia,
this was all powerful; SO all
pervasive that in the latter years
of Lees brief administration it is
aid that ct ardIy single case o!
serious discipline occurred"
Mr.. Tucker In New Hampshire