The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-01-27
Let the Record Speak for Itself.

Mr.. D. b. Russell, q noble veteran, has this
TO- say in Mondays Anderson Mail.
Mr.. Editor: At the celebration OF Lees
birthday last week 1t was brought
to the attention OF the veterans and
the Daughters ofthe Confederacy that one O
taught his class that President Davis was
captured in his wife's clothes and had also Q
class OF boys to debate the question, was
Lee q traitor?" There was universal sindigna'
ton expressed by the veterans and the
Daughters that this should have been done
here in Anderson where probably nfne-teuths
Of the pupils ARE the children or grapdohil-
suit to the memory Of the dead and a gross
ofiense to the living soldiers that such falsi-
fcation Of history should be taught TO the
rising generation. That scandalin reference
to Mr. Davis has long been exploded, and the
question OF treason on the part Of any OF our
great LEADERS was settled long ago by the
United States court at Richmond, Va, with
against Mr.. Davis was dismissed because 1t
was an admitted fact that under our form Of
government treason could moi be established.
D. b. Russell.
REPLY OF MR. CHAMBERS.
Mr.. Editor: Since the statements of Mr..
D. q. Russell have been brought to my no.
tice, I feel that q clear statement Of the facts
VIII serve to set the matter right before the
In the first place the Dource Of my In forma-
ton was an admirable essay on the life OF
Gen. Lee delivered before the student body at
Washington and Lee University two or three
years sgo. This essay has been printed, and
It was in this pamphlet that the subject
rWas Lee q Traitor" was discussed 10 the
everlasting honor OF Lee as q southern gen.
tleman and patriot. some OF the pupils were
not in school during the reading Of the entire
pamphlet, hence the Misunderstanding:
= Yours very truly.
G. ". Chambers.
Principal OF High School.
AS to the explosion OF the scandal in ref
erence to Mr.. Davis II Mr.. Russell will see
Volume No. 2. pages 70l and 7O2 of the Rise
and Fall OF the Confederacy," he will see
what Mr.. Davis says of the incident OF his
being capturedln his wife's clothes"
As 1t was quite dark in 1.-THE tent, I picked
up what was supposed to be my raglan. a
waterproof, light overcoat, without sleeves
1t was subsequently found to be my wife's. so
I started, my wife thoughtfully threw over
my head and shoulders a shawl, l he'd gone
herbaps fifteen or twenty, yards when q
and surrender, 10 which ! gave q defiant ans
wer, and, dropping the shawl and raglan,
from my shoulders, advanced toward him.
1t ia true that the case against Mr.. Davis,
charging him with treason was dismissed be-
cause there was no statute at that time COW
ering the act Of Mr.. Davis in raising armies 10
fight the United States. But there Isl today |
act which would make 1t uncomfortable
for any body to raise an army to night the
Government
1t may lnot have been right to discuss in
Anderson the question: WAS Lee a Traitor"
But 1t seems that no protest Is made at dis
oussing the question az Washington and Lees
University. AS far as we know there is no
division of sentiment North or South, as to
the nobility office. The discussion Of Lee
reminds Jus Of the debating society which
the questions: Is 1t wrong to cheat
a lawyer? After able and earnest discussion
the judges decided that: 1t is not wrong to
cheat a lawyer, but you can't do 1t.