Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1917-02-14
ROBERT EDWARD LEE,
The Man, The Soldier, The College
President.


We naturally desire to know
about the lives of the great men, cs-
pecially their character. 1t is ones
character which helps them to be
great. So it was in Lees case.
We do not know great deal Of
the boyhood of Robert Lee,
but enough to show that in
?.:s case he possessed as
boy traits of character which
developed into the noble man that
he was. We are told that from his
excellent mother, he learned at all
early age to practice self-denial and
self-control, as well as the strlctcst
economy in all financial concerns,
virtues which he retained through
out his life. Devotion to duty. This
was the keystone to Lees life. In
one of his letters to his son, Gusts,
he says: 'Duty is the sublimest
word in the English language and it
is certain that all through his life he
acted on it. This was the rule OF
his life, and his every thought, word
and action was made to square with
duty's demands.
His domestic life greatly displays
his strong character. His children
all respected and loved him as any
one could love a father. One day
when Lee was walking with one OF
his little boys the little fellow lagg-
ed behind, and looking over his
shoulder the father saw him imitat-
inc his every movement, with head
and shoulders erect and stepping ex-
actly in his footprints. "When
saw this" said the General, 81 said
to myself; it behooves me to walk
straight, when this little fellow is
already following in my tracks
Ard who can doubt that Lee was
model father?
He was very fond of all his chill
dren and was loving and very good
to them. In every act that they
would undertake they would always
look to him for guidance. He would
encourage them in their failures
and praise them in their little tri-
umphs.
Lee was the most punctual man
ever known. He was always ready
for family prayers, and at all meal
times, and met every engagement,
business or social, on the moment.
He expected his children to do the
same and impressed upon them the
necessity Of forming such habits for
tie convenience of all concerned.
In his social life he was always a
great favorite with the ladies, es'
pcc:ocl.,y the young ones. His strong
personality, his gentle, easy man.
ner, and kindly smiles, always put
them at once at ease with him. Ev-
erybody and everything loved him
his family, his friends, his servants,
his horse and his dog.
In his business career, he was
always sympathetic and kind to all
he came in contact with. He was
s.,..ays fond Of gay conversation,
wi::ch made him the most agreeable
of companions. His love for duty
and his correctness of language gave
him : superiority that everyone ac-
knowledged in his heart. He used
no stimulants of any kind, was free
from the use of tobacco, and was
absolutely stainless in his private
lie.
"The Soldier"
The outbreak of the Mexican War
called General Lee and others to
leave their. homes and follow their
country's CALL At this period OF
his lie, everybody was much IN
pressed with his fine appearance,
&c. G., horse or on foot. Then he
w"S in full manly vigor and the
handsomest man in the army. The
c., ';-2ents won by him were vel!
deserved for he was active, untiring,
sliI'rIl, courageous and of good
judgment. But it seems that even in
Lle ln.,,$C Of his active movements.
his thoughts were ever returning to
his home. General Lees private let
ters written during the war were OF
deepest interest and well Illustrated
his traits of character. The great
cuuse Of our success was due to his
courageous and active operations.
When anyone would praise him for
bic so~vices he would only say that
~ ~ nothing more than others
would have done in his place.
At the outbreak of the war be-
tween the States Lee had the great.
est temptation submitted to him ev-
- @-1 to ~ ambitious soldier.