The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-01-23

he wore the gray or whether he wore
the blue. now make the memories Of
the valiant feats, alike Of those who
served under Grant and Of those who
served under Lee, precious 20 all good
Americans. Gen. Lee has left US the
memory, not merely Of his extraordl-
nary skill as a general, his dauntless
courage and high leadership in cam
paign and battle, but also Of that Sc
rene greatness Of soul characteristic
of those who most readily recognize
the obligations Of civic duty. Once
the war was over he instantly under
took the task of healing and binding
ND the wounds of his countrymen in
the true spirit of those who feel NAL
ice toward none and charity toward
all: in that spirit which from the
throes of the Civil war brought forth
the real and indissoluble union Of to-
day. It was eminently fitting that
this great man, this war-worn veteran
Of a mighty struggle, who, at its close,
simply and quietly undertook his duty
as a plain, everyday citizen, bent only
upon helping his people in the paths
of peace and tranquility, should turn
his attention toward educational
work; toward bringing ap in fit
fashion the younger generation, the
sons Of those who had proved Their
faith by their endeavor. in the heroic
days.
There is nc need to dwell on Gen.
Lees record as a soldier. The SON Of
Light Horse Harry Lee Of the Rev
olution, he came naturally by his
aptitude for arms and command. His
campaigns put him in the foremost
rank of the great captains Of all time.
But his signal valor and address in
war are no more remarkable than
the spirit in which he turned to the
work OF peace once the war was over.
The circumstances were such that
most men, even Of high character, felt
bitter and vindictive or depressed and
spiritless, but Gen. Lees heroic tenn
per was not warped nor his great
soul cast down. He stood that hard
est of all strains, the strain Of bear
ing himself well through the gray
evening of failure; and therefore out
of what seemed failure he helped to
build the wonderful and mighty tri-
umph of our national life, in which
all his countrymen, north and south,
share. Immediately after the close Of
hostilities he announced, with a clear
sightedness which at that time few
indeed of any section possessed, that
the. interest of the southern States,
were the same as those of the United
States; that the prosperity Of the
south would rise or fall with the: well
fare Of the whole country, and that
the duty of the citizens appeared too
plain to admit Of doubt. He turged
that all should united in honest effort
to obiterate the effects Of war and
restore the blessings Of peace; that
they should remain in the country,
strive Cor harmony and good feeling.
and devote their abilities to the in
terests of their people and the heal
ing OF dlssensions. To every one who
applet 10 him this was the advice he
gave. Although absolutely without
means, he refused all offers of pecu-
mary al and all positions Of en1olu
ment, e:thcugh many such, at high
salary, were offered him. He deciin-
ed to go abroad, saying that he sought
only "a place to earn honest bread
while engaged in some useful work"
This statement brought him the Of
fer of the presidency Of Washington
college, a little institution in Lexing-
ton, Va, which had grown out Of a
modest foundation known as Liberty
Hall academy Washington had en-
dowed this academy with 100 shares
of stock that had been given to him
by the State of Virginia, which he
had accepted only on condition that
he might with them endow some ed
ucational institution. To the institu-
ton which Washington helped to
found in such spirit, Lee, in the
same spirit, gave his services. He ac-
cepted the position Of president at a
salary Of s1,500 year, in order, as he
stated, that he might Go some good
to the youth of the south. He applied
himself to his new work with the
same singleness Of mind which he
had showed in leading the Army Of