The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1907-01-24
OUR LEE
4 POEM.

What shalt say Of our great chieftain?
\ man of pure, spo,less life, and
tongue,
From race of biOoded heroes sprung,
y gentleman, TO the manner born.
In youth, bright, fresh rs Il vern al
morn,
In manhood's prime, of l1nightliest
men,
a Virginian of purest type seen.
A Saladin, whose courage never
Guailed,
Whether vict'ry or defeat prevailed,
Whose honor bright was always m ,in-
hine I.
WheG.er cncorntering foc or friend.
y patriot, high-minded, pure and
true.
Who, sword Tor gain or glory nc'er
drew,
Save his own Southland and State
defend,
From ev'ry foreign foe or false friend.
y noble example, high. holy,
Above reproSch, and truly lovely,
TIC hOys and men OF every craft,
Because so devoid of greed and graft,
Tecause in word and thought so chaste,
SO temperate in life, tongue and taste,
Lips with profa lily uapolluted,
That coarse jest and uucl an speech
revolted,
Strong to feel, strong 10 will, strong
TO think.
Yet never INDUCING in strong drink,
Nor delighting in pipe or cigarette,
Yet lacking not in true etiquette,
Nor wanting in sociability,
And genuine hospitality.
a scholar himself, Wei trained and
taught.
He knew full we'll how others ought,
And when him the time came to
oho s.,
Salaries of wealth did he refuse,
Luxuries and case stoutly declined.
The te -ev's gayei wiz strong hand
seized,
And closed his life in training the
Y. nth
That looked to him from his native
South
A man Of rare gifts, highly polished,
With love and kindness richly gar
nishcd,
OF faults fewest OF plumbers rarcst,.
Yet like the rest, mortal At best.
A statesman, in intellect broad and
sound,
A'ert, quick, full of wisdom profound.
For an erner gercy well equipped,
Ready. resourc,r. If one plan failed,
Another and another would arise,
Sound as thought and re. II could
devise.
A stratcgist of wit. rich and quick,
Yet wholly devoid Of guilty tri K.
An engineer. endo vcl with keen eve,
The points weak and strong to descry,
Who knew where and when to fortjfy.
To run a ditch as fight a battle.
An organizer, whose well-trained mind,
Could rearrange. adjust and combine,
Bodies OF men in confusion found,
And lead them out, Jho0sh danger
surrounds
\ general in erv scrse,
Who knew how to make the best
defence,
Turn the right or left, or centre strike,
To stand or retreat, %. :h- rear seek.
Who could on paper plan a campaign,
MaAoeuvrc in wil.incrJcss or plain,
Who could .,,van-c or retreat at il,
Though riS Is obs. uct, mountain auC
hill,
Mud, rain and SHOWS and the real foes
All stand abreast ready to oppose.
y General quick and far-sccing,
That could forecast the others desigr
And prepare in time TO foil in fine.
HIS well-matured plans on every lire
y soldier, brave, bold, bat self
possessed,
Not reckless, but when duty demanded,
Fear vanished and danger disap
pearod,
=, once, in SportsyiNa ar a. us',e.',,
To lead back his shattered columns
crushed.
Like lion for his prey raging,
But gallant Go:lon, the reins Selling,
Exclaimed, IN, sir, it shall nes el
be-"
While tho men cried, General lie,
TO the rear
Aud on they dash with glad shout
and cheer,
Back TO drive the victorious hosts,
And the lost ground regain at al
costs.
AS Gettysburg. to Pickett's walls Of
shame,
ION me-" he replied, put all the
blame"
And called his scattered men to rally.