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

school student can produce few origina
j thoughts. We shall all doubtless IA
far short Of Justice to our great subJec,
The beauties of his character should b
j portrayed in the Hottest verso OF
Homer or a Milton In a true and faith
full description OF the achievements OF
CORY battlehelds, the narrative OF TIL
historian reads like fiction. His loft.
patriotism and benign influence on vir
gina and the South, furnish abundan
themes and inspiration for the most sub
lime heights to which human orator:
can attain.
Westmoreland county. whose soil hat
been hallowed as the birthplace O
Washington and holding his sacred dus
within her embrace was twice blessed
when. within her borders one century
/, ago. January 10, 1907, the eyes OF Rober
i e. Lee first saw the light. The If,
| OF Washington must have had great
influence in forming the character of 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 to the fact that
his father. Light Horse Harry" Ice
was lifelong and intimate friend o!
Washington and chosen by Congress to
pronounce his eulogy, makes 1t small
wonder that the character and life OF
the younger Lee should resemble in 30
many particulars that OF Washington.
AZ NE ~ which
adorned the character Of the one were
as BEAUTIFULLY displayed in that of the
other. He has been most aptly called
washington. without his success. =
The words used by his father in the
samous euIogy on Washington. First
in war, first in peace, and first in the
hearts OF his counttymen." apply with
equal fitness to him, IL "countrymen'
should be taken to mean the people OF the
South, for whom he 50 earnestly labored
and so bravely fought.
Descended from race OF warriors
and having ali the instincts OF soldier.
he very naturally sought military edu-
cation, and. at the age OF eighteen, en-
tered the Military Academy at West
Point. Al the end of a four years course,
he graduated the first in military and
the second in general standing of large
and brilliant class. He was so cons @tf-
tious in the discharge OF all his duties
and so careful in his department that,
in his four years course as cadet. he
did not receive single deu@ n
the Mexican War no 80 distinguished
himself under General Scott In the CAM
paign from Vera Cruz 10 the Mexican
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
BIO his successor as commander-ln-chief
OF the United States Army.
When the clouds Of 81 began to gather
and the thunders Of approaching war was
heard. we are not surprised that Vir-
glnia should call upon her ablest son
to aid in her defense. What momen-
tous decision this great man, then in
the prime of superb manhood. was
called upon to make! On one hand the
backed by inexhaustable 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 cause, which none better
than he knew, was almost forlorn
hope. Leaving the Issue with the God
OF battles, he unhesitatingly chose the
side of his native state and boldly drew
his sword in her defense. BE his decision
right or wrong; no ono to-day who knows
the circumstances and the character Of
the man. will for an instant doubt that
he did what he considered his highest
duty. Great things were expected of
Lee; great were the deeds no 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
declare him the ablest gen.
eral America has. produced.
Finally when disease and starvation
had accomplished what Federal arms
had tried In vain to do. and the great
cheftian with his heroic band of faith
full followers lay down their arms at
Appomattox Courthouse. they left to US
the most glorious example OF herolsm
and daring that history has ever re-
corded.
The character Of Lee was the culmlna-
ton Of all that was good and noble
in a long line Of ilustrious ancestors.
The voice Of duty was to him the
voice of God" Unmindful Of personal
glory or material Advancement, he ac-
cepted the presidency OF Washington
College in 1866, that he might continue !,
to labor for his loved South. Space
will barely permit me to mention the
progress Of that institution
during the Ave years Of his presidency.
When on the 1ath of October, 1870, his
pure soul went up to God, two hemis-
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
md unsellsh patriotism; may his fame
Increase with time; in tradition. in his
tory. and In song
Let 1t roll from soul to soul,
And grow forever and forever!''
BERTHE LEE WHITE.
Mathews High School. Matthews G. H.,
Va