The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-23
CHRISTIANITY vs. sAyAcERy

From the St. Louis Republic
 To the Editor of The Republic
 As fitting tribute to the Christian-like c and humane spirit of that prince of sol diers, Gen. R. E. Lee, I. as an humble member Of the U. c. V, beg to call at- tention to the sharp and marked contrast Of the orders and methods of that plumed knight of the sixties, on the occasion oe his invasion of Pennsylvania, and the methods being followed by tho inhuman cruel and barbarous invaders of poor lit tie Belgium, and downtrodden Poland in this most unfortunate, pitiless and blood thirsty European war.
 Read the humane and Christian Lee and compare his injunctions with the methods of war-stricken Europe, with as little prejudice for or against as conoi- tions will permit or warrant Fortunately for the peace-loving people of this coun- try VIC have another humane heart at the helm in Wilson, whose firm but Christian stand has saved us so far from foreign en- tanglements:
 Headquarters Army of
 Northern Virginia,
 NHdiiocISpuIS, $, fd., June Zfs lSoo. General Order No. 7S
 The commanding general has observed with marked satisfaction the conduct of the troops on the march and confidently anticipates results commensurate with the high spirit they have manifested No troops could have displayed greater forti- tude or better performed the arduous marches of the past 10 days. Their con- duct in other respects has, with few ex- captions, been in keeping with probation and praise. There have, however, been instances of forgetfulness on the part of some that they have in keeping the yet uhsullied reputation of the army, and that the duties exacted of us by civilization and Christianity are not less obligatory In the country of the enemy than in our own. The commanding general con- sders that no greater disgrace could be- fall the army and through 1t our whole people, than the perpetrations of the bar barous outrages and the wanton destruc- tion of private property that have marked the course of the enemy in our own coun- try.
 Such proceedings not only degrade the perpetrators and all connected with them, but are subversive of the discipline and efficiency of the army and destructive of the ends of our present movement. It must be remembered that we make war only on armed men, and that we cannot take vengeance for the wrongs our people have suffered without lowering ourselves in the eyes of all whose abhorrence has beer excited by the atrocities of our ene- mics and offending against him to whom vengeance belongeth, without whose favor and support our efforts must all prove in vain. The commanding general, there- fore. earnestly exhorts the troops to ab- stain, with most scrupulous care, from un- necessary or wanton injury to private property, and he enjoins upon all officers to arrest and bring to summary punish ment all who shall In any way offend against the order on this subject.
 R. E. LEE, General"
 Note the expression and mark the con- trast; That the duty exacted of us by civilization and Christianity are not less obligatory in the country of the enemy than our own. Alas, how little has this injunction been needed by Belgian in- vaders. SAMUEL w. RAVENEI..
 Boonville, Mo.