The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-01-27
WOODROW WILSON LAuDS LEE
SAYS DEAD CHIEFTAIN HAS RE.
COME NATIONAL CHARACTER
president of Princeton University
Pays Splendid Tribute to the Hon.
Ored Leader of the Confederate
Armies In an Address at a Lee Me.
mortal Service at Chapel Hill.

mOrial Service at Chapel Hill.
Chapel Hill, N. c., Jan. 1s.-"Many
gratifying changes have taken place
since the great struggle between the
States, in which Gen. Lee played so
conspicuous and distinguished a part,
and one Of the happiest thoughts of
celebration like this Is that Gen.
Lee long ago ceased to be regarded as
a sectional character. that he has
been accepted the country through as
great American, devoted in the time
Of his chief distinction to particular
cause"
Thus spoke Dr. Woodrow Wilson,
president Of Princeton University, at
the Lees birthday celebration at the
University Of North Carolina tonight.
'"The South does not grudge him to
the nation as one of its great figures"
he continued, "but cherishes as a Sec
tion particular and ardent affection
for the gracious gentleman who led
its armies in the great contest which
was fought regarding some Of the es-
sential questions Of our constitutional
life. 1t loves to remember all the
qualities Of greatness that there were
in him. how gentle and magnanimous
spirit dwelt in the great soldier. and
how great soldier it was who led
her armies.
1--WE do not come together upon his
birthday to praise him. It Is not now
necessary to assess and value him. It
is rather our privilege and duty to
speak Of what he means to us in
new generation. We rehearse traits
to quicken our own consciences and
guide ourselves in times Of stress and
difficulty. There was no touch of the
histrionic about Gen. Lee. His modest
demeanor upon every field of action
seems almost an attempt to withdraw
himself from sight. He was, in fact,
like every man Of supreme force, CON-,
pact of fire, as was Washington. Fire
under control Is the very emblem of
force; uncontrolled 1t Is the emblem
OF destruction; and this mans per-
fectly schooled and disciplined pow
er Is the model Of what men who
command should be.
"And so the life Of Gen. Lee means
for us first, vision Of personal force,
expressed not in terms of self interest
but in terms Of service: and second.
service rendered in the spirit Of the
soldier not only. but in the spirit of
the soldier who is also a thoughtful
citizen-a statesman In the field.
I'VE are trying to form a national
policy concerning many difficult mat
ters. Each political party seems to
ask what will be most acceptable.
Some things are sufficiently plain. It
is plain that principle lie best for the
country rather than mere expediency;
that the mere L.akeshift Of the mo-
ment or the measure which has no
principle at its foundation will not In
the long run either command votes or
cement parties. Unless I am greatly
mistaken. the only permanent prin-
ciple OF political liberty is the prin-
cipie Of individual responsibility, and
OF individual opportunity. In the &c.
onomic field the olden time work and
enterprise has passed utterly away.
We must make use of combinations
and organizations upon q great scale.
such as a past generation had not
dreamed Of. There must be govern
mental control, but 1t must take the
form rather Of q clearing. ordering
and policing Of the field Of industry,
whose object shall be the restoration
OF quality of opportunity. the re-
moval. so far as possible, OF the op-
portunity for monopoly and above all
return to the principle Of strict in
dividpal responsibility.
"If we heed the example of such men
as Gen. Lee" said the speaker in con-
clusion. 1--WE shall subordinate our
wills to definite principle. serve not
purpose of destruction, not a pur-
pose Of vengeance, but a purpose Of
conservation. Only by the conscious
pursuit Of such ideals and the con-
scious compulsion of such standards
shall we restore an age of liberty,
self-respect and hope"