Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-02-16
By II. w. ROOD

have been asked what Grand
Army men think Of allowing the
state Of Virginia to place in the han
of statuary in our national capitol
a statue of Robert T.. Lee. I cannot
speak with authority for the Old sol
diers as a whole concerning TINS
matter, yet know what / guess
they think
Though General Lee has been in
his grave nearly thirty years, ne
stands before us today and in three
different attitudes:
/. He stands, in the first place. as
a citizen Of Virginia and OF the
United States, dressed in citizens
suit He is man of culture and
refinement, college president, a
Christian gentleman; man VINO ac-
cepts with the best grace he can
the necessary results of the war. and
is engaged in the education OF the
younger generation. AS such ciu.
zen, such a gentleman, we may well
honor him, for in his personal cnar-
acter he is worthy of both honor
and emulation
2. In the second place. he stands
before US as gallant soldier of our
republic, in the uniform OF the United
States government. He has been ed
ucated at West Point by the govern
ment for the protection of our flag
and the defense of our national honor
and integrity. He has before, Goa
pledged himself upon his honor as a
man and a soldier to be loyal to that
flag and all it symbolizes OF liberty
and union. The uniform he wears
is his badge of loyalty. and the good
sword at his side is the visible token
OF his pledge to defend his country
with his life. AS such soldier
brave, skillful and true,-we give
into his keeping, with others ike
him, the honor of our nation and its
flag When he has proven himself
worthy the trust thus reposed in
him, we will honor him. and will
ask our sons to make him their ideal
soldier and patriot
3, Robert e. Lee stands before MS
also as a confederate general in
rebel uniform, his sword drawn. not
in defense of our government, out
TO break it up,--the same govern
ment that made him a soldier and
trained him in the art OF war.--tbe
same government that before high
heaven he had pledged his sacred
honor as man and soldier to de-
fend with his life. AS the uniform
ne wore when he went forth from
West Point into the service OF our
republic was his badge of LOYALTY 70
that republic. so the uniform he now
wears is his badge of disloyaltv To
the republic; and the sword he hears
is his weapon for its destruction
General Lee may in this third atr-
ade possess all the private virtues
ie does in the other two vet there
. something about him here thar
makes him distinctly different: il is
MS badge-his uniform-or reh.l.
.on against our flag and the gov
eminent of which it is the beautiruf
and beloved emblem; and this is 10
me an essential difference.
In the first of these three attitudes
we see Robert E. Lee the man ana
citizen; in the second, the gallant
young soldier of the republic: ana
IN the third, the leading soldier OF
the rebellion against our republic
1t is his uniform that makes an the
difference in the world.
Now do rot as union soldier
object in the least to the statue or
General Lee in either the first att,-
tude or the second; but. so far as
the third is concerned, that is unite
another matter. In his confederate
uniform he may possess all the cnl.
ture and personal worthiness he had
before he thus clothed himself: VET
this badge of disloyalty-of rebel.
tion-so characterizes MIN that by it
he must be judged.
There are CT course, people who
so admire General Lee that his re-
~NAANSA NNCAa 0OCS AOt EDA1J 4OT
much against him; and there are
Others who admire him most because
of this record. and heartily wish he
might have won in the cause for
which he fought with so great cour-
age and distinguished ability. Tsup-
pose this is the feeling of the vIr-
ginians who are proud OF him But
I do not myself understand how the
great body OF Grand Army men can
feel that way The most OF them
gave the best years of their young
lives TO the hardest kind of service
and self-sacrifice to prevent the dis
solution of our union by General
Lee and those who fought under
him. They suffered from disease ana
wounds and all sorts OF hardships;
they saw their beloved comrades 80
down to death on the battlefield:
in the hospital and in prison in their
LOYALTY to the government General
Lee and his comrades were willing
to suffer in like manner to destroy.
In Gods good time our army was
victorious union saved and hui
af.. ~. F.e4E.