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

eously assumed that an allegiance t
: one, to Lincoln let US say, preclude
the possibility Of an allegiance to tn
other, to Lee,-or vice versa w
have acted upon that assumption an,
have taught our school children ac
cordingly, with the result that in tn,
South Lincoln is not known as h,
should be, and in the North Lee i,
practically unknown except in the mos
general sort of way, as the leader OF
the Southern armies. Thus by the
short-sightedness or the prejudice OF
those who have the shaping of ou
educational policies, the American
youth, both North and South, have
4 been deprived of a part Of their right.
full heritage. Realizing the apparent
injustice done them, / have been in
terested for several years to effect in
the schools of the North a recognition
of the anniversary of Lee, and in the
schools Of the South a recognition
of the anniversary of Lincoln. ! have
met with some measure Of success in
both sections, and have myself had
the honor of speaking from Northern
platforms upon the life Of this man.
who is ever taking a larger hold
upon the thought and the affections
of the American people, and who must
ever loom larger and larger as the
advancing decades give perspective.
But shall not be satisfied until his
name is household word the coln-
try over, until his portrait hangs in
every country school house along
side that of Washington and Lincoln,
and until every American thrills with
pride at the mention Of his name and
the thought of his greatness. But |
want also that in every hamlet Of our
native Southland, Lincoln, himself
of Southern origin, shall be known
and loved, and that the youth of our
section shall be fully restored to that
precious heritage of a familiarity
with his life and character which
has denied them.
A few years ago it was my privil-
eye to spend some time in the little
mountain town in Virginia where Lee
spent the last years OF his life. There,
in Lexington, Lee is still living
as indeed he is for the
thousands of students who there
came under his influence in the great
institution which bears his name, /
and Lee University. ]
think it most fitting that the names of
these two great Americans should be
forever linked together in an inStltu-
ion which porpetuates then fame and (
their true greatness by guiding !
Alright the footsteps Of American |
Youths. Says Thomas Nelson Page |
Ore familiar with the life Of Lee
cannot help noting the strong resemb-
ance of his character in its strength, |
is poise, its well-rounded complete
ness, to that Of Washington, or fail I
10 mark the influence which the life .
IF Washington had on the life Of Lee.
It has been well said that the know
edge of a mans ideals is the key to
lis character. Tell US his ideals and .
We can tell you what manner Of man
ne is. Washington was Lees ideal
rom childhood. His earliest days were
pent in a region flied with the tradi-
Jon of him. who having conseerated
lis life to duty, nobly led his people
> the achievement of liberty. Not
ar from Stratford, the birthplace of
zee, within an easy ride in the same
istoric old county Of Westmore-
and, on the banks of tie same noble L
iver, was Wakefield the plantation
which had the distinction of having /
iven birth to the Father Of his !
ountry. Thus, on this neighborhood, {
he splendor Of the evening Of his /
oble life just closed, had shed a {
glory. And not a great way &
fl, in an adjoining county, on the
anks of the same river, was the home
his manhood where in majestic (
implicitly his ashes repose, making |
Iount Vernon a shrine for the lovers
f liberty Of every age and every
ime."
Lees mother home was likewise II
lturated with memories Of Washing ii
m, a life-sized portrait of Washing III
N upon the walls Of the home, gift
ON Washingtou himself, attestng III
the intimacy between the two
.milies. Thus, in both Of his ances-
al homes, the young Lee, from his
adle, found an atmosphere, sugges-
We at once of the greatness Of Nir-
MAS past and Of the memories Of
e preserver of his country 1t was
res own father, the gallant and
fled "Light-Hore-Harry' Lee who
rs selected By Congress TO deliver
@ memorial address on Washington,
ID who coined that deathless phrase
lich reached the heart Of America,
d which must ever constitute our
CHEST tribute 10 our great liberia
r: "First In war, first in peace, III
d first in the hearts Of his coun-
ymen!"
repeat, therefore, that nothing
aid be more fitting than that the
mes Of these two great Americans,
ked together ir life. should be thus
ked together Washington and
e University institution which
airs the impress II their greatness
q which presage the day when the
lerican people win be proud to link
-ether in their thought the names