The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1907-01-19
Nation Pays Tribute
to Memory of Lee.

A hundred years ago to-day, in
| Westmoreland county. Virginia. Rob
ert Edward Lee was born To-day
in all sections Of this great country,
from thousand rostrums, thousand
eloquent tongues will speak of the
patriotism, the military genius, and
the Christian character of this great
man.
The study of the life of Robert E
Lee should ever prove an inspiration
to American youth. Graduating from
I the United States military academy
he entered the army, and in the Next
can war rendered heroic service in
his country's cause. After thirty
years service he resigned his commits
sion to battle against the army he
had served, to attack and conquer the
men he had led in other struggles.
But voice had called him, and it
was a voice stronger than that of the
nation-it was Virginia. Refusing the
proffered command of the united fed
eral forces, he turned his face
towards the state that gave him birth,
and cast his fortunes with those he
loved so well.
Thirty-three years ago, at a time
when the character of Lee was as
sailed, his motives impugned, and his
abilities discredited throughout the
north, noted Southern orator made
the following prophecy: When the
future historian shall come to-snruAu
-.L---------,r nee, ne Will lind 1t
rising like huge mountain above the
undulating plain of humanity, and he
must lift his eyes high toward heaven
to catch its summit
Little did Benjamin Harvey Hill
think when he gave utterance to this
sentiment that in the short period of
a quarter of a century the great char
acter and military genius Oh Lee, shin
ing as benediction upon southern
heroism and valor, would win out over
national hatred and malice, and re-
ceive the unstinted praise and credit
of the united nation.
The study of this mans military
genius, his campaigns and his battles
have of late years engaged the
thoughtful attention CT the nations
Of the world, and while the south
takes particular pride in his great NIL
itary accomplishments, yet it is that
other side of his life that appeals to
us the stronger. Brave was he in
battle, but Drawer still in peace, for
in the very shadow of his defeat we
find him as the president of south
ern university, teaching the youth of
the South their responsibilities. their
duties, and their loyalty to the union.
Here, in the Shenandoah valley of
Virginia, for five years after the close
of the war he lived happily in the dis
charge of his duties as teacher. loved
perhaps as no teacher had ever been
loved before. And one night in Oc-
tober, 1870, after finishing some work
in his Office he walked across the
campus to his home. and in a few
minutes closed his eyes in the sleep
that knows no awakening on this
earth. What grand climax to a
glorious career.
General Lees body lies in a vault
in the chapel of Washington and Lee
University. Over this vault, and back
of the rostrum. can be seen Valen-
tines superb and sublime recumbent
statue of the great soldier, and this
morning one of the foremost and dis
tinguished citizens of Massachusetts,
will, from that platform and with
those environments to give added
force and eloquence 10 his words. pay
the tribute of the north TO the soldier
of the south. Charles Francis Adams.
within a few feet of the earthly re-
mains of the immortal Lee. and upon
the same platform from which Lee.
during his life used to talk 10 his
students, will to-day do much towards
cementing the ties between the north
and the south
Governor Broward, in a very appro-
pirate proclamation. has requested
the people of Florida to observe the
day in the contemplation of the
sublime character of the great man,
and the name of Robert Edward Lee
viii be on the lips of patriotic Flor