Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-10-12
TUESDAY, OCTOBER ~. 1920.
Another Lee the Country's Need

lFTf years ago today, October 9 1870.
II Robert E. Lee, the South's greatest
( hero and best loved citizen, passed from
+, mortal ken. To his family his death was
+. not unexpected, for his health had been
(. failing rapidly, but TO the South at large,
: treasured by encouraging bulletins sent
; from the bedside at Lexington, it came as
grevious and sudden blow which plunged
1t into mourning On the day of his
, funeral flags were at half-mast, business
was suspended and the States OF the late
Confederacy, just on the threshold OF re-
covery from the war in which Lee had been
the brilliant, outstanding figure, refused to
be comforted.
Nirginia's Legislature adopted resolu-
tons requesting that the remains OF the
chieftain be buried in Hollywood where
scores OF his compatriots lie sleeping. Va
!. rious associations joined in the request, but,
10 the disappointment OF the capital of tho
. Confederacy, scene OF so much OF his labors
/; in its Defense the family decision was for
, interment at Lexington, in a tomb at Wash
ington College, which he had rehabilitated
following its practical destruction during
the war; and which later took his name
That tomb today is sacred shrine, to
which not the South alone, but a reunited
nation and respectful world give yenera-
ton. Immediately following his death the
lowed him in battle and to whom he was
the great commander. inaugurated the
movement which eliminated in the erection
-Atthat majestic equestrian statue which
graces Monument Avenue. preserving in i'm
perishab BILE bronze those beloved lincaments
so familiar to the generation that now has
all but passed to THE other side
To Lee, the incomparab soldier. the
world pays tribute as one Of the greatest
in all history. But it is Lee, the Jealous
citizen and Christian gentleman to whom
the present generation should look for an
illuminating example in the troublous times
now. upon the country, and that lesser
known side OF his character will live as
= long and prove greater blessing to his
people than his ability TO lead in war.
While conditions following the. War Be-
tween the States and those left by the con-
fiict SO lately ended were basically different.
they do touch at many points Then two
sections OF the country were torn anart
leaving thousands Of hearts crushed in sui
len bitterness. Today there is the same
rancorous hatred, but now 1t Is poli,ical
and aimed at the chieftain who led tho ma
tlon to victory i'll the greatest of all wars
Dinerences are to be composed now. as
they were then, and the calm counsel of
e leader like Lee is sorely needed In his
+ letter to Governor Letcher, speaking OF Vir-
: GINA, Lee sara: The duty OF it's citizens
then, appears to me TO he too plain TO adj
mt OF doubt All should be united in hon
4 est efforts TO obliterate the effects Of woT
and TO restore the blessings OF peace" The
advice he gave then-and he incu!catcd II nv
4 illustrious examples as sound and pcrtin-
ent now. How it puts to shame those nm
patriotic, treacherous party leaders of TO-
day who, FOR the sake Of personal and M.
liticai revenge, have concentrated their
hatred IN campaign against that othe,
world-famous citizen from the State OF Lee
On this, iftieth anniversary OF his dea,h
y may: there be rcdedication of the coun,r,
s he loved to those principles Of CITIZENSHIP
y of which he was the Disqualification. Onl,
D in that direction lies the nations safety.