The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-20
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1907.
The greatest man Is he who chooses
Right with invincIble resolution; VINO
resists the sorest temptations from
within and without, and who bears the
heaviest burdens Observation-Disclosures
Why General Lee Is Beloved.

The spirit with which the one-hun-
dredth birthday OF General Robert e.
Lee was celebrated yesterday through
out the South shows In the strongest
light the veneratlon and love with
which he IS enshrined in the hearts
of his people.
And why this veneration and love?
General Lee was the conspicuous
leader in lost cause. AS far as the
right OF secession was concerned, and
Incidentally the right of the Southern
people to DEAL with the question OF
slavery-and they were the only people
competent to deal with 1t-the cause
for which General Lee performed his
marvellous feats OF generalship was
utterly lost. And yet the greatest SUI
ferers IN that disaster-a very political
and social earthquake-offer devoutest
thanks to God that 1t was at once
their privilege and their glory to have
had such leader as Lee. They seem to
forget their own mlsfortunes when
they remember that he shared them
all. and laid with his sword upon his
country's altar his home, his sons,
his sacred honor.
Despite the great successes of the
Southern armies. there was at last no
advantage left the Confederates to
compensate for or alleviate the final
catastrophe
The victories which emblazoned Lees
manders flashed only as brilliant
neteors on sky that was soon to be
sunk in deepest darkness. No re-
wares of Office or houors or pensions
awaited the followers OF Lee. except
such as their own PROSTATE COM
panions could, with ruined fortunes
and broken hearts, be.tow. And yet
there were not found-except some
nameless apostates-thoss who would
have surrendered the right to be
known as worthy compatriots of Lee
for al. the spoils of place or pelf that
victory had gained for their foes. The
reason for this is not far to seek. 1t is
based in the infinite power which self
sacrifice has over the human heart,
"Greater love hath no man than this
that man lay down his life for his
friends" Throughout tho ages past
have men been found who would offer
their lives willing sacrifice for their
countrymen. And lever has the re.
suit OF the sacrifice, or tho triumph
or failure of the cause for which they
suffered. been counted part of the
greatness otsths. acti6n. In the bright.
est crown OF glory there could be nc
dross of self. 1t must be without the
faint OF ambition or the greed of gair
of any kind BY this standard Lee
rose 10 the highest measure OF great
ness. The purity OF his motives rested
like sunlight on the greatness of hi!
deeds.
With home and fortune gone, he hat
the allurements of great wealth Offered
him for the use OF his name. Blu
true to his Divine Exemplar, whose
steps he humbly followed. when til,
Kingdoms of the world were offered
as the price of worship, he put then
behind him, and devoted himself to tn,
noble but sequestered occupation O
directing the instruction of the you'll
Of his country. The picture of dut,
and usefulness was thus complete.
1t is the recognition of these quail
ties as the atmosphere OF his SOU
that has endeared General Lee to hi
people. His greatness as militar
leader looms up gloriously in the NOR
sublime light of duty. unselnshnes.
humility and sacrifice,