The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1910-02-10

.ime-more than quarterof century
Il have experienced nothing but
kindness from my superiors and
most cordial friendship from my COM
rades. To no one, General, have l been
so much indebted as to yourself for
kindness and consideration
and it has always been my ardent desire
to meet your appreciation" This letter
came from man whose loyalty few
will question, man so truly great that
none might scorn to do him reverence.
Why did not Lee listen to the wooing
of ambition when debating the course
he should take at the commencement of
the war? Lee was recognized as the
foremost soldier of the United States
Army and the position of Commander
in-Chief had been rendered. He had
little hope Of success for the South. He
knew and so stated that the South's
cha noes for success were far from en-
couraging. Graduated from West
Point, proud of his profession, of which
he stood at the head, loyal to the Union
and to the flag which he had loved and
followed for a quarter of century,
calmly abandoned them all, severing
ties dear beyond price, he turns to his
state, to his home, to lead fOrlorn
hope and gave the cream of his genius
to answer to the call of his people, i'm
pelled by his conviction that their
cause was just. He states clearly in
his letter to his sister in Baltimore
written April 20, 1861, the situation as
it looked to him: "The whole South"
he says, sis in state of revelation, in
to which Virginia, after along struggle
has been drawn; and though 1 recOg-
nize no necessity for this state of things
and would have forborne and pleaoed
to the end, lor redress Of grievances
real or supposed, yet in my own person
l bad to meet the question whether l
should take rartagainst my own native
state. With all my devotion to the
Union and the feeling of loyalty and
duty of an American citizen, Ihave not
been able to make up my mind to raise
my hand against my relatives, my
children and my home"
, His loyalty to the United States can.
not in justice be contended. He saw
, in the fire of his own hearthstone his
} duty to Virginia and he answered its
t call,
When Mrs. Lee fed from Arlington
in 1861, she left in her home, with hel
\ furniture, all the heirlooms in silver
! plate, china and ornaments brought
), from Mount Vernon. The Fedora
administration sold the furniture fo
n taxes direct, and the heirlooms wer'
i deposited in the patent Office in tn
) Capitol. President johnson gave al
d order for their return, but Congress
J. vetoed this order. When Mrs. lie
! petitioned Congress for the restoration
of her property her request was terme
s 10y the committee on public building
e "as an insult to the loyal people of tn
e United States" They still remain i
4. the possession of the United State
under sanction of a bill of attainder.
If General Lee in referring to this matte
20 shows that when he renewed his alleg
n ance to this Government he spoke frol
il heart too great to be false and ft
le his country be entertained only fee
o. ings of loyalty and love. He say
IN 'These articles are valuable to Mrs. 1t
AS having belonged to her great gran'
y mother (Mrs. George Washington) an
III having been; bequeathed to her by h'
as father, but as the country desires the
at she must give them up. l hope th'
lis their presence at the Capitol will kee
er In view the principles and virtu
Of of Washington" In the same lett
e. General Lee spoke of other affairs
ia the following terms: 81 was not
ry favor of secession and was opposed
of war. In fact was for the constit
I'D tion and the Union established by o
zee forefathers. No one now is more
BIS favor OF thst Union and that constit
ton, and as far as know, it is that I
his which the South has all along cOnteu
he ed, and it restored as trust they "
en be, I am sure that there will be
eit truer supporters Of that Union a
q q that constitution than the SOuthe
he people," Inconciusion he states: ~
ity failed, but In the good providence
hat (Cont5ntaed IN column 5 thus pdgc.)