Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-22
WISE ADVICE 70 a son.

While Gen. r. e. Lee was in the
United States army. before the days of
disunion and secession, he was absent
from his family great deal. FIe was
all through the Mexican war, and aft
erwards with his commands in other
outposts of the government.
He wrote the following to his son
when the latter was in school or in coll
lege. 1t is such fine letter. has so
much wisdom in 1t that 1 will copy it
here, and hope every reader of The
Journal will enjoy it as / have done:
My Dear Son: / am just in the act
of leaving my home for New Mexico.
My old regiment has been ordered to
that distant region and must hasten to
see they are properly taken care Of I
have but little to add in reply to your
letters of March 26. q. %.
your letters breathe a true spirit of
frankness. They have given myself
and your mother great pleasure. You
must study to be frank with the world;
frankness is the child of honesty and
courage. Say what you mean to do on
every occasion, and take ii for grant
ed you mean to do right If friend
asks a favor, you should grant 1t, If 1t
is reasonable; If not. tell him plainly.
you cannot. You will wrong him and
wrong yourself by equivocations of any
kind. Never do wrong thing to make
friend, or keep one. The man who re-
quires you to do so is dearly bought
at sacrifice. Deal kindly but firmly
with your classmates. You will find ii
the policy that wears best. Above all
do not appear to others to be what you
are not. If you have any fault to find
with anyone tell him. not others, of
what you complain. There is no more
dangerous experiment than that of un-
dertaking to be one thing before a
mans face and another behind his back.
We should live, act and say nothing to
the injury of anyone. 1t is not only
bets as a matter of principle, but it is
the path to peace and honor. In regard
to duty, let me in conclusion of this
hasty letter. inform you that nearly 100
years ago there was q day of rennarka-
BILE gloom and darkness, still known as
the dark day, a day when the light OF
the sun was slowly extinguished as II
by an eclipse,
.The legislature in Connecticut was in
session and as the members saw the
sudden and unexpected darkness coming
on they shared in the general awe and
terror. Tt was supposed by many to
be the last day, the day of Judgment
had come some one in the consterna-
ton of the hour moved an adjourn
ment.
.There was an old Puritan legisla-
tor Davenport, of Stamford He arose
and said, If the last day had come he
desired to be found at his place doing
his duty and therefore moved that can
dies be brought in so that the house
could proceed with its duty.
There was quietness in that mans
mind, the quietness of heavenly wis
dom and ,inflexible willingness TO do
present duty.
"Duty then is the sublimest word in
our language. You cannot do more. You
should not wish to do less.
Never let me or your mother wear
one gray hair for any lack of duty no
your part.
your affectionate father
sra. - .."R. K. LEE"
This letter should be read once every
term to the school boys of this coun-
try. It should be read once and coca
sionally by every boy In his home
These are great words, written by one
OF Americas greatest men.