The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1922-01-11
GEN. R. E. LEES
BIRTHDAY JAN. 10
HISTORICAL EVENT TO BE
OBSERVED AT HIGH
SCHOOL
PROF. w. G. BURGIN
To Deliver An Address On The
Life And Character OF
L h e Great
Southerner.

The greatest military genius Of all
time, Robert Edward Lee, was born
in Westmoreland County, Virginia,
January 10, 1907. In every locality
where Southerners dwell, this event
should be commemorated with ex-
ercises appropriate to the occasion,
for the life and services of General
Lee constitute a priceless heritage to
the South
Apprcciating the sublimity Of the
character Of General Lee, the sup
erintondent Of the city schools Of Col
Iumbus, Doctor H. Fl. Ellis, is making
arrangements to hold exercises at the
high school on the morning Of Jan
uary 18th as a fitting testimonial Of
the love and reverence our people
hold for the memory Of the South's
great military leader.
Doctor Ellis very wisely has asked
Professor William Garner Burgin to
deliver the principal address of the
occasion, which insures a speech Of
eloquence, earnestness and force.
There will be, a number of short
talks, there will be music and read
ings suitable to the occasion, and the
program is one that gives promise of
much interest. 1t is hoped that the
students present will draw lessons in
patriotism, righteousness and devotion
to duty as they study the life and
character of General Robert f. Lee.
No merely human man that ever
walked this earth reached a higher
point in striving for perfection than
did General Lee. Those who knew
him when he walked the weary ways
If men, and those who have studied
his life since he passed through the
gates Of pearl, find that he sank into
The dreamless sleep without single
stain upon his character He re-
turned to his Maker as pure and as
spotless as when he came into the
world His life should be to young
men and young women everywhere
both a beacon and an inspiration. He
should be studied more by the youth
Of the South in order that they may
draw helpful lessons from his life.
Likewise, in connection with a study
Of the life Of General Lee, history
should be searched to prove that the
Confederate soldiers fought, not alone
for, what they believed 20 be right"
but for what was right, for what
was promised and guaranteed to the
Southern states when they joined the
Union, and that long before a single
Southern state had seeded Massa-
chusetts threatened to withdraw from
the Union.
It would also be we'll for the South
ern boys and girls TO learn well the
lesson Of Southern courage, fortitude
and daring, and at what terrific odds
the battles for the South we're wag-
cd. In one Of the battles Of the war,
General Lee with $4,000 Confederates
whipped, overwhelmed and scattered
in ignominious defeat McClellen with
an army Of l25,0O0
There are many things our boys
and girls should know, for some day
they may find themselves among the
people Of the north, and if slurs and
aspersions are east against the South
and her soldiers, little true history
might be a convenient thing to have
stored away IN the region above the
ears.
The Dispatch Is glad that Doctor
Ellis is Co give program on the
birthday anniversary of General
Robert F.. Lee, and we hope every
chair iD the large auditorium Of the
high school vii, be occupied. We
hope % have the program Of the ser
vice I'm detail for publication next
Sunday.