The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-07-21

soldiers ana the South generally. I
do not censure myself for sincerely
regretting the action Of msnibers Of
the Michissn Loyal Legion in urging
Congress not 70 permit the statue Of
General Lee IA the Confederate uni
form to be unveiled In the Hall OF
Fame. do not censure myself With
deep regret ! lament the unwise not
10 say unpatriotic. action Of 4 handful
Of Grand Army men In Chicago who
ioinef the Michigan Loyal Legion
members in demanding mat Congress
prevent tho placing Of tns Lee statue
In the Hall OF Fama II vas in bad
taste. 1 regret IT became OF the effect
that their acton will have upon the
South and the grief II viii cause the
survivors Of tho men who bravely fol-
lowed Lee. / regret 1T because it VIII
bring ridicuio upon the Grand Army
OF the Repubuhnc and tho Northern
soldiers generally. / greet II because
before this century is sone every de-
. scendant Of The Michigan men ana
the Chicago men who placed them
selves In q position to be Tldiculed and
condemned, Will blush when their an
cestors action is recalled
Conduct 81 that character oy North.
crn soldiers bellttles item in the eyes
~ most OF the public.
Isn't tho war over Isn't the Con-
harmless Is II more tnsn mem
ory2 Isn't the Confederate Dag
dead hsgf Is !; more than memory?
Is ii 4 menace ara they things tn
alarm brave men or patriotic Ameri-
cans? Need amy Northern Soldier Or
other citizen be aacl.d because the
brave old fellows VINO wore gray
uniform and followed tina; flag sun
have a kindly feeling for both ana
nd fc.. -
looking at them anp recalling the
days when they gave their best in 2
hsht in which they thought they were
rlght7
There are reasons Why we ought TO
be very generous aad kindly in our
thoughts and actions toward the
south. and PARTICULARLY toward the
Southern soldiers. They lost all n
the contest, they met bitter defeat.
/. our side won all, victory that meant
everything for our nation and very
much for hundreds OF millions in other
nations, not 70 rthe present but for
a.! time 20 come.
Il the WAT had ended only d few
years ago there might be some excuse
for the action Of the Michigan ana
Chicago men, but in view OF the fact
that the war was over nearly a half
century ago. ! see no excuse for it
and condemn L.
How quickly some of US forget =
few years ago our country had TO en-
gage In another war. isroln every
Southern State thousands or young
men. many the sons and grsndsons OF
Confederate soldiers. cizsped hands
with other Thousand of young men
from the North. many OF whom were
The sons and srandsons OF union SOL
diars. and offered their services TO
the government in that righteous war.
Old Confederate commanders respond
ca. Three of General Robert Z. Lees
close relatives We're among those who
served in ,he Spanish American War
How tondly we all thought. as we
looked upon the inspiring, uplifting
PATRIOTS picture that now the Civil
War is over But acme people have
forgotten. few in Michigan and a
few in Chicago appear TO have forgot
ten. Seemingly. they would keep up
the strife.
We should not forget that this
country is as much the south's as u
is the Norths That She mas the same
rights that the North has. That our
fias is their nag. that they were s
ready in IS to assist In nghung the
country's battles as the North was.
and that no portion of the country
would respond more promptly should
other dangers demand great armies
Has there peen d President since
the war had another war come. ana
Robert f Lee still alive and in con
dition to command. who would not
have selected him ~ the commander
of an army? Grant. Mckinley. Hayes
Garfield. Arthur, Cleveland. Harrison.
Roosevelt and Taft would have count
ed themselves lucky 10 secure his ser
vices What American would have
responded more promptly. or with a
stronger desire To serve his county.
Than Robert r. Lee? his is only
supposltion, but il is perfectly safe
supposition.
II alive, would Lincoln. Grant, Sher-
man. sheridan. Thomas. Warren, Smith.
sedswick, Logan. Rosecrans. Meaue
or any of the great leaders of the
Union Army approve OF the cianor
against the Lee statue for the Hall
OF Fame?
no other man Of the South did so
much 10 influence the Southern peo-
ple in good directions as General Lee
after the war. He had no part in
against it he held no important com
mand for more than year after It
began For three years he stood with
tile foremost men OF our land as
great American. and as an American
general surpassed alone by General
Grant AS president OF college,
man and Christian. he was without
hiemish for hve years after the war
lip TO the time OF his death lie
was great American, and ] am glad
for his one great mistake our match
less nation granted him full pardon.
and lament the fact that any one at
this late day, should condemn Virginia
and the South for tho step taken to
honor his memory by placing in the
Han of Fame his statue showing a
gray unlform-a Confederate garment
clothes worn IN the interest of =
Confederacy than met an everlasting
death forty-f1vc years ago. In what
way can that statue possible become
a menace TO the nation. or do any
body. or any good interest, harm?