The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-09

New Windsor on Hudson. January 10th,
from lew York Saturday Evening
Post.) u
On my return ito America after an.
absence of more than twelve years L
took up my residence for a time in the
far South. and when Lineoln's birthday
came round. L had tho temerity to preach
TO a Southern congregation uopn Ln
coins noble life and character. This.
l think, WAS airnostst the first time that
q. Southern pulpit had been, used for
such q purpose. But the result justi-
fed tile adventure: for no one. SO far
a. I ever knew, complained OF this
action as 4 misuso OF the church. or
questioned It's propriety. May 1 hope
for as favorable hearing to-day by
Northern congregation, when 1 speak
upon the great and noble leader OF the
Southern army during the War OF Sc
ccssion. whose birthday falls TO-DAY?
The main facts Of General Lees life
are probably known to you ali, and l
state them now simply for clearness.
General Robert Edward Leo was the
son OF General Henry Leo, a. revolu-
tionary hero known as "IAght Horse
Harry" He was born IN Stafford.
Wcstmoreland County, Virginia, jan
uaryde. 1897. He was graduated from
West Point in 1929 Married Mary
Gusts. daughters OF George Washing
ton Park Gusts, IN 1851 George
Washington Park Custis was the
grandson OF Mrs. Washington. and the
adopted son of General Washington.
General Lee entered the Mexican War
with the rank OF captain: was twice
promoted. attaining the rank OF coll
onel. He commanded the expedition
sent by the United States against John
Browns raid on Harpers Ferry. AT
tho breaking out of the War of Seces-
sion, Colonel Lee was offered the chit
command of the army which was to
invade the South He declined this
command. and resigned his commits
- on in the United States Army.
When his native State left the Union,
he was offered and accepted tho rank
of major general in the State forces,
and brigadier- general In the Confed-
crate army. He was soon made com
inander-i in chief OF the Army of North
ern Virginia. which for three years
carried the rebellion upon its bay
Grant at AppomattoX Courthouse on
Aprit 8. 1866. Was elected president
of Washington College. now Washing
ton and Lee University, IN Lexington.
Va. and died October IL. 1870, In his
sixty-third year.
This Is tho briefeet possible sketch OF
his life. and 1 have now TO consider
ms character as great ana true
American.
First of all. it is pleasant 10 re-
member that General Lee. like General
Washington. was n member OF our
own communion. He lived and died a
consistent and devoted communicate of
the Episcopal Church. 1 mention this
fact only 10 pass on to an estimate,
however imperfect. OF his character as
Christian gentleman and patriotic cit
izen.
No one Will perhaps be disposed to
question the statement that General
Lee was Christian gentleman, but
theirs may be some Nwho are not dis
posed to let the statement that General
Lee was a patriotic American citizen
pass unchallenged. and l propose,
therefore. to go into that question.
Patriotism has always been held as
the highest civic virtue, and rightly SO.
for upon that virtue all loyalty to ones
country rests The word patriot comes
from patria-and patria comes from
pater--which means father-so that
patriotism means a love for ones
fatherland. Did General Lee possess
that love" Let us see. And, first of
ALL let US clearly understand that be-
fore the war patriotism meant. 10 the
citizens of the thirteen original States,
love for cnc's native State, rather
than FOR the general government at
Washington, which. TO the majority,
think / may say so, of the Southern
people, had no Statehood in itself. but
possessed merely representative, or
delegated character sort of politi-
cal. clearing house for the convenience
of tho individual States; trust. as it
would now be called to safeguard the
life and the liberties of the several
States; a mutual benefit association or
confederation. This was the way that
the United States was regarded at first,
not only In the South but by very
great many people in the North, and IT
took long time. fifty years and more,
for the conception of the United States
az the only national State, In which
adhered all the rights and powers OF
the American people, to take root and
grow In the mind OF the averag-
American citizen And it was as hard
for man In Massachusetts, or Connec-
ticut as ono born in South Carolina or
Virginia to feel any special patriotic
sentiment for such An impersonal and
intangible thing as the United States.
My present point then is. that tn
conception OF the United States as n
"patria''--a Observation-Disclosures the war
was not visual!Zed In the mind OF the
American people in any such way as
1T is at the present day. This truth is
clearly revealed in the relative dignity
and Importance attaching to tho Gov
ernor OF one of the origipo1 States be-
fore tho wa- as compared to the de-
creased dignity and Importance attach
ing to the office OF Governor at the
present time. There was an idea of
nationality associated with each of the
original States which has now almost
entirely disappeared. These lattcrday
states are really regarded as mere dis
ttrcts within the United States and as
such can inspire little or no patriotic
sentiment
Hence it has come to pass that the
position OF United States Senator car
ries with 1t more dignity than the Of
flee OF Governor. we are, as q people,
gradually losing all feeling of patriot
ism, as regards our native States. and
acquiring a wider. &c loss deep. 10y
atty to the United States. This is for
the best; it makes for better citizen
ship. and has destroyed forever the no.
ton that tho United States are merely
an association OF States for mutual
aid and protection THAT idea OF the