The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-01-22

ton that has come 10 Lee and in 50
brief a time signifies the real hero
that he was. whether We behold him
declining the command Of the federal
army 10 fight the battles and share
the m!ser.es Of his own people, pro-
claiming on the heights N front Of
Gettys burg that the fault OF the dis
aster was his own: leading charges in
the crisis Of combat; walking under
The yoke without a murmur Of com
plaint, or refusing fortunes TO go to
Washington College there TO train the
youth Of his country in the paths OF
duty he is ever the same, meek, grand,
self sacrificing spirit The time IS
coming, in very truth Is almost here.
when the prophecy Of Henry Waiter
son Will be realized when hanging
over many mantle board in fair New
England glorifying many a cottage in
the sunny South Will be seen bound
together IN everla sting love and honor
two crossed swords. carried 70 battle
respectively BY the grandfather who
wore the blue and the grandfather
who wore the gray.
The two sections revere their sew
eral heroes for their respective ser
vices, but together we share in the
mutual admiration of those whose
heroic deeds. whose humanity in vic
tory and whose nobility in defeat
stamp them forever a men OF char
aCter.
Consideration Of these men as mill
itary leaders is lost sight of when we
look and realize the principles under
lying their lives. The South of to-
day fully appreciates the ma gnamity
As soon as military operations had
ceased. this hero, likewise with a
heart Of gold did the grandest and
noblest thing in his power, with the
simple stipulation that each officer
give : own parole and one in behalf
of the men in his army. never again
10 take up arms against the United
States government, they We're permit
ted 10 return to their homes, retaining
their side arms and horses: an act un-
precedented in the worlds history OF
revolutions.
Looking back to the gallant knight
of the crusades, we have a hitting
parallel to the life of Lee. Accepting
the cause of the weak and oppressed
he became their champion. There was
no sentimental, romantic glamor in
volved here but steadfast principles
of life that could not be overcome by
self-interest. The strife of only
served to accentuate these principles
| Of his character. In his meek and
| lowly way the remainder of his days
We're spent in the realization Of his
| lofty purpose.
Such are the characteristics that we
| require in a truly great American.
| With a perseverance and patience in
| herited from the early colOnist who
| braved the ocean and the wilderness
| with a steadfaStneSs and faith to
| a cause worthy of any martyr Of the
| Christian persecution, with an equa-
! namity and optimism under oppression
| almost beyond conception, yet with a
! gentleness and kindness which en-
| anated from the soul of the sincere
| Christian gentleman, We have a char
| acter whom We North and South ad-
| mire a man, nay more, revere as a
! great American.
| Let us as a nation place him in Our
| minds on the highest pinnacle Of true
| American heroism. For therein We
| demonstrate to all the world who
| know the life of the man. what kind
of men we ourselves are, or strive tC
be.