Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1908-06-26

1t must have profoundly impressed
the veterans Of the ConfedeTacy and
the throng that had gathered in their
honor at the reunion which has just
begin held at birmingham, to read the
splendid tribute 10 the soldiers OF the
South which had been prepared by
General Lee had only a few weeks be-
fore been well and in active prepare
ton for attending the reunion gave
added interest to that which proved to
be his last message to his comrades.
But it's chief value is to be found in
its exceptionally eloquent statements
and its lofty conception of the spirit Of
the South. Such testimonial to the I'M
selfishness, the courage and devotion
of the Southern soldier must be an in
spiration to succeeding generations 10
maintain the same high standards OF
duty and the same infiexible attitude
toward whatever would impair or
compromise those standards. General
Lee was man of christian character,
and viewed life from the christian
standpoint. The lofty sentiments
herein expressed must be regarded,
therefore, as coming from mind
which sees duty as growing out of the
relation of man to God. The following
is an extract from this admirable trib
ute to the Southern soldier:
ale enriched the world in honor.
He added to the spiritual riches of
mankind. The memory of his deeds is
the treasure of his people, incorrnpti-
BILE, undefiIed and that fadeth not
away. No noble action is ever lost; no
brave deed shall ever pass away. They
are written upon the everlasting pages
of the universe; they are inscribed
upon the heart of Sod. This is the
best that life offers any man; to strive
for the highest, the greatest, the bravest
he knows. Is it not better to achieve
these things, even at the cost of life
itself, than to purchase length OF days
or mean and sordid living, by coward
ice or craft, by surrender OF the fine
ideals of manhood in base compliance
to dishonor2 In the heart of every man
the Everlasting has made answer.
Looking hey ond the little span of hui
man life into the white'light OF eterni
ty, what better could we have wished
for the Confederate soldier than to
have played his part as he did? He has
left heroic memories that chatter and
purify the hearts of all who shall come
after him. He has lifted life labove the
low level of the commonplace into the
realm of precious aud immatable
things, into the great spiritual realities
which abide above all change, beyond
the reach of years"
These men are presented to our view
as those who had inherited their con-
ceptions of rue citizenship and man
heod from their fathers, and upon
these the ritter pronounces thls strlk-
ing eulogy:
nWonderful men these old Southern
ers were; great in counsel, great in bat
tie, but greater than all in the integri-
ty which felt dishonor like wound.
They would have fallen upon the ssor-
did plunderers who in later times have
infested public life like Elijah upon
the prophets of Baal."
Whatever we may think of sections
or parties, or the strife of war, we must
admire the lofty ideals OF manhood
to which this veteran leader, in his
last message, would incite the people
among whom he spent his life and
whom he loved and served SO we'll
Central Presbyterian.