The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1922-01-22

vities. went into the modest littl,
study, where still are preserved his
desk, his books, his writing materials
just as he left them that fatefu
morning when he walked out of il
never to return. | went into the
little chapel where last he worshipped
into the home which last knew his
benign presence, | stood in reveren-
tial mien, in the presence Of Valen-
tines recumbent statue Of Lee, and
passed thence into that holy of HOLES
where repose his ashes And through
out it all, as | fingered in the at
mosphere breathing the presence Of a
great soul, and as | immersed myself
| in the spirit of his great life, there
came ever before me the vision of a
grand old gentleman, my fathers COM
mander in war and the commander Of
his heart in peace,-a loyal apostle
of duty, a great leader of his people,
A." foe without hatred, a friend with
out treachery, soldier without
cruelty a victor without oppression,
a victim without murmuring, and a
man without guile
One story was related to me in
Lexington by a friend of Lees. It
has also been included in one of his
biographies. See him one day talk
ing at his gate to stranger, TO
whom as he ended he gave some
money, the friend inquired who the
stranger was. Zone of our old sol
diers," said the General. 40 whose
command did he belong?" was asked
"Oh, he was one of those who fought
against us" said General Lee, but
we are all one now and must make
no difference in our treatment of
them"
Another story | cannot forbear to
relate, because it splendidly illustrates
the qualities Of his character. After
the War many wealthy corporations
sought the connection of General Lee
for the prestige which his name alone |
would lend, One of these was a
wealthy insurance company, who sent !
an emissary to make the General an
offer Of the Presidency of the Com
oany at a salary Of $4,000 per year. |
General Lee thanked the agent for
.hc offer, but said that he knew no
hing at all Of the insurance bust
ness, and that, therefore, he would
ave to decline. But" protested the
agent, you do not have to know any
hing about the business. General: it
$ your name the company wants.
TO which General Lee, with impress
i've dignity, replied; "Thcn if my
lame is worth $4,000 a year, do you
lot think | ought to be very careful Il
lbout how use it," And adding
hat his name was all that he had
eft and that it was not for sale, this
nan of unimpeachable character dis
missed his would-be tempter, and
gracefully retired to the Presidency |
# small college at a salary Of
$500 per year.
And there, in the picturesque Ian
.uage Of Page, an simple duties, and
nipple pleasures, untouched by the
lirgs and arrows Of outrageous for
une, he passed life's close among his
'wn people, hallowed memory for
yer to those who knew him, an ex4'
nipple to all who lived in that dark
inc or who shall live hereafter, the
attern Of Christian gentleman who &
id justice, loved mercy and walked 9
umbly with his God
Some day" in the prophetic Ian
uage of Page, there will stard at y
he nations capitol a great monument
, Lee, erected not only by the South a
I'm people, whose glory it is that he j
as the fruit Of their civilization and p
ne leader of their armies, but by the "
merican people whose pride it will II
e that he was their fellow citizen =
.eantime he has a nobler monument y
ian can be made Of marble or of q
-ass. His monument is the adora- u
on Of the South. His shrine is in a
'cry Southern heart "