The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-20
Greatness Of Soul.

"Ceneral Lee has left US the memory
not merely of his extraordinary skill as
a general, his dauntless courage, ana high
leadership in campaign and IN battle bn,
also of that serene greatness ot soni
characteristic OF those who most readlli
recognize the obligations Of civic duty.
once the war was over he instantly IN
dertook the task of healing ana phAp-
ing UP the wounds Of his eountrymeh y
the true spirit of those who feel mar ee
toward none and charity towards all; IN
that spirit which from the throes OF the
Civil war brought forth the real and IN
dissoluble union of today. II was emineht-
ly fitting that this great man; tins war
worn veteran of mighty struggle. who
at It's close simply and quietly undertook
his duty as a plain, every DAY CITIZEN
bent only upon helping his people In the
paths of peace and tranquility should turn
his attention toward educational work.
toward bringing up in fit fashion tne
Younger generation. the sons or those VINO
had proved their faith by their eudeaVor
in the heroic days.
"There is no need to dwell on General
Lees record as a soldier. The son OF
Light Horse Harry Lee of the reyolu-
tlon. he came naturally by his aptitude
for arms His campaigns put him IN
the foremost rank of the great captains OF
all time. But his signal valor and address
In war are no more remarkable than the
peace once the war was over. The Cir
eumstances were such that most men.
even of his high character, felt bitter, VIM
dictive or depressed, or spiritless, Dut
General Lees heroic temper was not
warned nor his great soul cast down. He
stood that hardest of all strains, the
strain of bearing himself well through
the gray evening of failure; and there
fore out of what seemed failure he helped
to build the wonderful and mighty tri-
umph Of our national life. In which all
his, countrymen, north and south, share.
Immediately after the close OF hostilfties
he announced with clear sightedness
which at that time few indeed OF any
section possessed, that the interests or the
southern states were the same as those
of the United States; that the prosperity
OF the south would rise or fall with the
welfare Of the country: and that the duty
OF the citizens appeared too plain TO ad-
nit of doubt. He urged that all Should
unite I'm honest effort to obliterate the ef-
fects Of war. and restore the blessings
OF peace; that they should remain In the
country strive for harmony and good
feeling and devote their abilities to the In
terests of their people and the heal
ing of dssensions.
Refused Pecuniary Aid.
ITO everyone who applied TO him this
was the advice he gave. Although abso-
lutely without means he refused all Of
fers of pecuniary aid. and all positions OF
enolument. although many such at high
salary were offered him. He declined to
20 abroad. saying that he sought only =
place to earn honest bread while engaged
in some useful work This statement
brought him the offer OF the presidency
Of washington college, an institution in
Lexington. Va. which had grown out OF
o modest foundation known as Liberty
Hall academy, Washington had endowed
this academy with 100 shares of stock that
had been given to him by the state OF
Virginia. which he had accepted only on
condition that he might with them endow
some educational institution. To the In
stitution which washington helped to
found in spirit, Lee in the same fine
spirit gave his services. He accepted the
position OF president at a salary OF
a year, In order. as he stated. that no
might do some good 70 the youth OF the
south He applied himself TO his new work
with the same singleness Of mind which
ha had shown In leading the army OF
northern Virginia. All the time by word
and deed he was striving for the restora-
tion of real peace. OF real harmony never
uttering word OF bitterness nor allow
ing word Of BIZ rness uttered In his