The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-11-16
Voice Of the People
Likes "Thc Long Uo,I.-

Sir.-May make use of your col.
nmns to eNprcas my appreciation OF
the South's great prose epic, The Long
Roll by Miss Mary Johnston"
AS human being l am grateful to
ncr for her portrayal of war in All
its horrors and in all it's pitirul human
ness ana in the glory OF it's courage
mend her fairness and the splendid
way in which she has dealt with the
issues involved, not merely as local
HlSpgreements, but as eternal prInci-
pies unfortunately set one against am
other AS u Southcrncr, l rejoice in
her ptctusc of the courage and chiv-
airy of the southern army and her ex-
position of the Southern cause. AS IL
N:rGinian, J am indebted to her for
her definition of the attitude OF tho
commonwealth with regard to seccs-
SION ana FOR her dramnti2ation Of Viz
sinia's tragedy and glory as the bat
iieEround OF so terrible a conflict
As each of these, and rs a painter.
enthusiastically admire tho mnsterful
portrait OF q hero. genius. Il patrio;
and a lovabic, eccentric man. which
she has given us in her dclincation OF
the character OF General Jackson
The group Of children with whom [
nidycd When child unprecedented tho
confederate generals In their games
ana We worshipcd each one as n great
ana mnrNclcus star. Outgrowing child
'sh va'neSI | now perceive that in the
scale OF creation human being ranks
higher than star. / realize how IA r
superior TO burning sun Is man
WIN intellect and heart, and / want to
thank Miss Johnston for transforming
my star into living personality.
want also 20 express my admira-
tion for her wonderful portrayal or
thnt great military genius, and for the
book through which / learned TO an
probate jackson afrcsh az his soldiers
learned to do. For in Miss Iohnston's
81 i.. ~ 90,
hlers toward their general--first their
hdignation at tho long. hard marches
witch later on they came to realize
meant not only victory, but the saving
or many lives: next their indignant be-
wildermcnt merging into grudginc, ad-
ihlration as results became apparent,
ana thcn Their enthusiasm. when It oc-
.urfed 10 them that If they did not
know where he was sending them, why
neither did the enemy" and, finally.
their absolute alteration of him in
al OF this' seen through his soldiers
eyes, his genius takes on "a new light.
more brilliant and more manifest
While reading The Long non" l
reaiized that had never before loved
J ,i,.. as | began to do. especially
beSlnninS OF the book. when he walk.
ca nearly mile through snow and
alush on q dark night TO the V. N. |.
10 MAKE ms apoiogies to a student tor
an unwilling Injustice during school
hours The splendid impulse 10 go n;
once. AT any cost, as soon MS the fact
presented itself to his mind, makes:
one love him and admire him more
truly and warmly than ever before.
rms incident seems the keynote to his
character. set. il would appear, as a
warning at the beginning OF the book
lest We judge too hastily when Jack
sons discipline seems too stern: tell
ing us TO look deeper and read fur
Tier and find In him the same strict
justice and generous readiness to cor
rect his Judgment should further de-
yelorments sized new light on tho
Facts.
As for the profanity that has been
commented upon in "rhc Long Roll
IL IL be trnc that there was not at
That time so much profanity In tho
army I fear our dear old soldiers have
been sadly contaminated by the sue
cceding generations. But, given the
premises --maintaincd by many of our
men likely to he conversant with the
circumstanc es--does not It's use In
THE Long Roll" place Jackson in n
clearer light? Docs IL not show forth
his strict adherence to his ideals in
that he not only kept his own speech
free from profanity. but forbade others
Il" use II in his presence?
In mis- devotion to Goo. 10 country.
{" duty, to justice and TO humanity.
Miss Johnston shows General Jackson
90 nave been in the highest meaning
81 those tx" words q Christian gentle
man Il. G. II.