The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-20
Robert dWard Lee


far short Of Justice 70 our great subject.
The beauties OF his character should be
portrayed in the loftiest verse OF a
Homer or Milton. In true and faith
ful description Of the achievements on
CORY battleaelds. thu narrative OF the
historian reads like fiction His lofty
patriotism and benign influence on Viz
einia and the South. furnish abundant
themes and inspiration for the most sub
lime heights to which human oratory
can attain.
Westmoreland county. whose soil had
been hauowed as the birthplace OF
Washington and holding his sacred dust
within her embrace. was twice blessed
when. within her borders one century
ago January 19 1907. the eyes OF Robert
z Lee first saw the light. Tho life
OF Washington must have had a great
influence in forming the character n Lee.
Spending his boyhood among people who
held fresh in memory the acts and most
important labors OF tho great Father
OF his Country" added 20 the fact that
his father Light Horse Harry lee.
was lifelong and intimate friend %
Washington and chosen by Congress 20
pronounce his eulogy makes It small
wonder that the character and life OF
the younger Lee should resemble IN 50
many particulars that OF Washington.
The elements Of the greatness which
adorned the character OF the ono we're
as BEAUTIFULLY displayed IN that 90 tho
other. lie has been most aptly called
a Washington. without his success %
The words used by his father in The
s-nous eulosy on Washington. First
in war. first in peace. and first in the
hearts OF his counttymen.' apply with
equal fitness 20 him, II "countrymen'
should DC taken TO mean the people 81 the
South. FOR whom he 80 earnestly labored
and 50 bravoiy fought.
Descended from a race Of warriors
and having ali the instincts OF soldier.
lie very naturally sought a military edu-
cation. and. at the age OF eighteen. en-
tered the Military Academy at West
Point A. the end 81 "a -FOUR years course.
he graduated the arst in military and
the second IN general standing OF a large
and brilliant class IT, was so 0.
tious in the discharge of all his duties
and so careful IN his department that
did not receive "A single dc
the Mexican War no so distinguished
himself under General Scott IN the cam
paign from Vera Cruz to the r-.-an
Capital as TO win admission and esteem
from his comrades. and promotion and
unstinted praise from his superior Off
GERS. General Scott expressed the
opinion that colonel Lee was the great
est living soldier" and desired him 20
be his successor as coumander-in-ohief
OF the United States Army.
When the clouds OF 81 began 70 gather
and the thunders Of approaching war was
! heard. We are not surprised that Vir-
glnia should call upon her ablest son
70 aid IN her defense. What a rnomen-
tous decision this great man. then IN
the prime OF a superb manhood. was
called upon 20 make, on one hand the
chief command OF the Federal armies,
backed by inexhaustabla resources,
wealth and countless hordes Of eager
soldiers: on the other. home. kindred,
friends. Virginia, whose name from IN
fancy he had been taught to reverence
and love, and p cause. which none better
than he knew, was almost Il forlorn
hope. Leaving tho Issue with tho God
OF battles. he unhesitatinRly chose the
| side OF his native state. and boldly drew
! his sword in her defense. BE his decision
right or wrong: no one to-day who knows
tho circumstances and the character OF
the man, will FOR an instant doubt that
he did what ne considered his highest
duty. Great things were expected OF
lee; great were the deeds he performed.
/ Always vastly outnumbered and con-
/ tending against almost inexhaustable re-
sources. the success OF the Army Of
/ Northern Virginia has placed its com
mander side by side with the great
captains OF history" Military critics,
who seem best able to judge almost
unanimously declare him the ablest gem
/ cral America has produced
Finally when disease and starvation
. had accomplished what Federal arms
I had tried IN vain to do. and the great
chieftian with his heroic band Of faith
full followers lay down their arms at
AppOmattox Courthouse. they left to us
. the most glorious example OF herosm
and daring that history has ever re-
corded.
The character Of Lee was the cuinina-
ton OF all that was good and noble
IN a long line OF !llustrious ancestors
The voice OF duty was TO him the
/ voice OF Cod" Unmindful OF personal
: glory or material advancement, he ac-
/ cepted the presidency OF Washington
/ College IN 1870, shat he might continue
/ 10 labor for his loved South. Space
/ VIII barely permit me to mention the
wonderful progress Of that institution
! during the ave years OF his presidency
When on the 18th OF October 1870 his
/ pure soul went up to Cod, two hemfs-
pheres wept together for grief at the
death OF this great soldier. pure patriot
and exemplary Christian gentleman
May the study OF his noble character
inspire the youth OF our land with pure
and unselhsh patriotism; may his fame
Increase with time. IN tradition. in his
/ tory. and in song
| Let Il roll from soul TO soul.
And grow forever and forever
BERTHE LEE WHITE
Mathews High School. Mathews g H.,
Va