Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-03-14
General Lee.

The whole life of Gen. Robert E. Lee
was fine. although unobtrusive, protest
against the worship of wealth. He stood,
as Tennyson wrote OF Wellington, "four-
square to all the winds that blew !" He
was above money and beyond price.
Here is the proof, from Mr.. Charles Fors-
ter Smiths recent book, "Reminiscences
and Sketches"
Owner of the baronial manor of Arling-
ton and possessor otherwise of a princely
fortune, General Lee had lost all in the
cataclysm of civil war. And when he
was thus impoverished, in the autumn OF
1863, the city council of Richmond voted
him house for his family; but he de-
clined it, suggesting 'that whatever means
the city council may have to spare for
this purpose may be devoted to the relief
of the families of our soldiers in the fields. :"
After the war an English nobleman Of
fered him country estate, with an annuity
of three thousand pounds; but he declin-
ed, saying, al must abide the fortunes and
share the fate of my people"
In 1866 he accepted the presidency of
Washington College (row Washington
and Lee University, at salary of fifteen
hundred dollars year but when Cen
eral Ewell, in 1868, gave five hundred
dollars TO the college, on condition that it
be added to General Lees salary, the
latter declined it, writing General Ewell,
81 already receive from the college a
larger amount than my poor services are
worth"
He was invited to become the head Of
firm in New York to represent Southern
commerce, with salary of fifty thousand
dollars; but this, too, he declined. 81
am grateful" he said, "but have self
imposed task which must accomplish.
| have led the young men of the South in
battle; have seen many OF then die on
the field; | shall devote my remaining
energies to training young men to do their
duty in life"
The presidency of the Southern Insur-
ance Company, in which Hampton. Cor
don, B. H. Hill, and other distinguished
ex-Confederates were directors, was Of
fered him at salary OF ten thousand dol
lars. But this also he declined, saying,
al feel that ought not 10 abandon the
position hold at Washil. gton College at
this time, or as long as can be OF service
to it."
The distinguished ex-Confederate Of
ficer sent to make him the offer said:
owe do not wish you to give up your
present position, general, or to discharge
any duties in connection with our COM
pany. The truth is, we only want your
name connected with the company. That
would amply compensate us for the sal
ary we offer you."
General Lees face flushed. al am
sorry, sir" he replied, "that you are so
little acquainted with my character as to
suppose that my name is for sale at any
price"
One OF the generals biographers states
that he "found his letter-book filled with
replies to offers OF this character"
In May, 1870, when General Lee was
away seeking health, the board of trus-
tee of the college decided the presidents
house, which had been built under Cen
eral Lees supervision, to Mrs. Lee, with
an annuity of thirty five hundred dollars.
But he declined it, saying, 81 am I'M
willing that my family should become
tax on the college, but desire that all its
funds should be devoted to the purposes
of education. know that my wishes on
this subject are equally shared by my
wiie."
After the generals death, the trustees
sent Mrs. Lee check for the first quarter
of the annuity, but she promptly returned
it, with a beautiful letter of thanks, say
ing that she could not accept the annuity,
and was ready to give UP the house to
the new president whom they should
elect.
The new president elected was her
own son, and she died in the presidents
houSd.