The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-12-29
gen. TEE ENTERS A
VIGOROUS PROTEST
COMMUNICATIVE Chief Does Not
Want Bill Providing Pensions
for Confederate Veterans.

General Stephen D. Lee, commander
sin-chief of the United Confederate Vet
Grams, will not give his Endorsement
to any effort which may be made to
secure pensions for the men who
espoused the cause Of the South In
the late War Between the States. 1t
is understood that Captain Richmond
n. Hobson, who was recently elected
to succeed Hon. John H. Bankhead MS
Congressman from the Sixth Alabama
District, will introduce a bill providing
for the Issuance Of pensions to surviv-
ing Confederate veterans. and General
Lee has written Captain Hobson n
strong letter protesting against in
production OF such bill. General Lee
has also written Hon. John Sharp Will
.liams. the minority leader In Congress,
letter In which he earnestly requests
him to do all in his power to prevent
the introduction OF the bill. In reply
to this letter. General Lee is in re-
ceipt OF communication from Mr..
Williams. in which that gentleman
states that he is not in sympathy with
any measure which may have as Its
object the pensioning OF Confederate
veterans by the Federal government.
and will make strong effort to stop
In it's incipiency any movement which
may be made in that direction.
The full text OF General Lees letter
to Captain Hobson follows:
II have seen newspaper notices of
the fact that you propose to intro
duce bill into the Congress of the
United States to pension Confederate
veterans who fought against the
United States during, the Civil War. l
cannot but think youNwill make mis-
take If you introduce such a bill, and
that 1t would place in false light the
surviving veterans of the Confederacy,
not only to the people OF the United
States, but also the people OF our be-
loved Southland. and that such a bill
will compromise the honor and high
sense of personal independence OF liv-
ing Confederates. While many Con-
federate soldiers living are very poor.
and would no doubt be made more
still nearly every Southern State Is
aiding the Confederate soldier and his
widow with q pension, and the camps
Of Confederate soldiers generally in
the different localities OF the South.
I believe. are relieving to great ex-
tent the needs Of the needy Confed-
crates.
"As the commander of the United
Confederate Veterans, although l have
not attempted any investigation as to
tho sentiment Of living Confederates,
I protest against the Introduction OF
such bill. and If for no other reason
than that it will reopen the floodgates
Of sectional strife and 'antagonism. and
push aside that spirit of Cancellation
and good will now prevailing between
the veterans OF the Union and Confed-
crate armies, and the people OF the
North and the South. ! believe that
any retarding OF this growing spirit
of good will will be to the detrlment
of our great nation.
knowing you as / do. I believe such
action as you propose came out Of the
very best heart possible. but I fear
your goodness of heart is mistaken
and misguided.
IT trust. my dear sir. you Will not
consider what have written as in
any way unpleasant but as written
merely to protect the high spirit and
independence Of the Confederate vet
Grams living. "-Columbu (Mss.) Dis
patch.