The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-11-21
Press Comm ent


a construetlve American
Now that America faces a moral and
spiritual crisis In the bankruptcy 81
her leadership. she may well turn for
inspiration 70 ono whose sanity and
wisdom entltle him 20 rank among our
great constructive statesmen. The
world knows Robert T.. Lee A. the con-
summate general and soul OF the Lost
Cause II does not recognize him
as the statesman who led the South
through the most trying and difficult
period Of her history. This last and
noblest phase OF his life constitutes
one Of the most inspiring chapters Of
our national life.
During the period OF regeneration.
Lee held no official position. His In
fiuence was purely moral and was OK
ercised bv example and persuasion
only. That he was all powerful Il
testified bv General Grant. who wrote.
AN ne people except a few political
leaders "a tho south will accept what
ever he does as right and win be guid-
ed hy hts example" Lee used his In
nuence wisely When Davis and 9TH
ers suggested that the southern
armies be 90 perged and carry ca a
guerilla warfare he refused with sol-
emn Indignation. You must ren4em-
Der we are Christian people. Tor
~ as a Christian people there is bat
one course 20 pursue. We must ac-
cept the situation: these men must
60 home and plant a crop and we
must proceed 20 build up our country
on a new basis" These words are the
keynote ~ tho last chapter Of his
life
Gradually the sons and younger
friends II his veterans gathered about
him from all over the south. They re-
vered and idoilzed him he save 20
them warmly and freely. 10 was an
ideal relationship In many ways this
was the happiest period u MS ilfe.
Heretofore military activities had kept
him from home and friends. Now he
enjoyed both and was doing a work.
rich In 10 relations and significance.
lie rode frequently upon his cid war
horse. Traveller. about the roads and
bvFavs % Lexington. oftcn accom-
panied by children who quickly trust
"a and loved him.-In the November
81 the Grinneil Review.
Mr.. Hardina's Preferences
~ IL merely a matter Of taste. ew-
planned tho man who kieaed the COW
Perhaps the seine observation might
apply o. the case ~ Mr.. Hardinss re-
ported preference Tor the advise of
Editor Hearst over that 81 TAFT. Rect
WIckCfsham and others. lie Is the
president elect and has an unelspuied
legal right 60 select his own sources
~ counsel Everybody readily con-
cedea this right. though some would
manifested In the choice indicated.
While never very clear ps TO what
he dld. in fact. favor. MIR Harding has
made continuous war on the Wilson
league as brought back from Paris"
So has Mr.. Hearst MIR. Harding has
been particularly vehement Ia assail-
Ing Article X SO also has Mr.. Hearst
The president elect has had little 20
saY directly concerning his attitude
toward Mexico. but AIR. Hearsts atti-
tude Is analogous 90 that If Jezebel
concerning NabotL's vineyard Iio IS
FOR Intervention which involves TAX
ms permanent possession.
This circumstance may afford a key
O. the rabid opposition 20 Article ~ 4
Those who have read that feature ~
tho league charter doubtless remem-
Der that Il pledges the nations % re- 4
spect oach others territory. And that 4
-. lesson which lingo imperlalisis 4
absolutely refuse 20 learn. They ere
opposed on principle 10 anything 4
which stands in their way q helping 4
themselves TO anything dealra hla 4
which they may happen 20 spV lying 4
around
Mr. Hearst - said 20 own some fine 4
estates In Mexico-which didn't cost
him very much. lie has probably never
been quite sure that MeKico may not
AZ some time requisition hts lands Cor
the poems. hence his anxiety 60 have
his tile confirmed By American pos
session. AZ. Brisbane. tho great eui-
.orial writer for Mr. Hearst. has asked
Il SIR Harding win bless Mexico by
extending the taitod states boundary
south 70 Panama. AR Harding has
also thrown out some remarks about
protecting Americans wherever they
r." = the plot unfolding .-Chattan-
soEa News.