Lee Robert E. Lee, His Towering Moral Character, By Reverend E. Marshall Paterson

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Sunny South, Mar. 10, 1888 -- page 1

Robert E. Lee

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His Towering Moral Character

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By Reverend E. Marshall Paterson​

The foundation of a monument to Virginia's illustrious son Robert E. Lee has been recently laid with imposing ceremonies in the city of Richmond. That monument is to be a tribute of his fellow-citizens to his military and moral character. His soldierly bearing and military achievements have excited the admiration of many thousands. As a military chieftain his praise has been sung by many tongues, but the grandeur of Lee's moral character more profoundly impresses us than his military skill. Caesar was brave and brainy, Ney was a soldier of daunting courage, Alexander was an illustrious military chieftain, Napoleon was a military prodigy: but beside Robert E. Lee, in one respect, they were pygmies. Lees moral character towers above them as the tall mountain peak above the surrounding hills. His character is without stain, as far as we know of his life. Aristides we are told fought at Marathon, at Salamis, and commanded the battle of Plataea. Though he had borne the highest offices in the state, he died poor. Nothing could buy him; nothing could induce him to swerve from his duty. It was said the Athenians became more virtuous by contemplating his bright example. May not the youth of Virginia be benefited by contemplating the bright example of Robert E, Lee?

He was pure and manly from boyhood. His father died when his son Robert was eleven years old, and he was left to guiding hand of his mother - who was at the time invalid. He did not attempt to break away from his mothers control, as many boys less considerate would have done. He did the marketing managed outdoor affairs, and looked after the comfort of his invalid mother. As soon as school closed for the noon recess he hurried home to arrange for his mothers daily ride. He practiced self denial and self control for her sake. "Robert is both a son and a daughter to me," the mother used to say. He spurned the use of profane or impure language. he revolted at the idea of ding a mean act.

We are told that after his return from the Mexican war, his wife, opening his trunk, foudn in it a bottle of brandy, which had been put in for medical uses, unopened. He never drank brandy or whiskey, and rarely a glass of wine.

These incidents and facts show how strongly developed in him was the power of self control. it was one of the secrets of his all true greatness. He was ever faithful and true as a devoted and affectionate son.
Yet this methodical, gentle affectionate, self controlled boy was always brave and firm. H was no blusterer, or braggart, but from youth up he carried within him a soul of unflinching courage.

Besides, he was a christian, at home and in camp - at all times and everywhere an humble christian. Who of his comrades or army officers would have dared to utter one disrespectful sentence about the Bible or the religion of Jesus Christ in the presence of Robert E. Lee. The first and last time I ever saw General Lee was one Sunday morning in Petersburg. Seated on "Traveller," his favorite horse, he was passing down High street on his way to the lines around the city. His handsome face was shaded with gloom - He looked sad, as if some great sorrow was weighing on his heart.

A few weeks after the surrender came, then he retired to the shades of private life, then to the Presidency of Washington and Lee University, ten God took him, and now we believe he is at rest where trouble shall never touch his noble heart or war's rude alarms disturb the repose of his great and glorious soul. While we cherish his memory let us not fail to imitate the virtues which adorned his noble life. And let the youth of Virginia remember that it was character more than anything else that constituted the true greatness of Robert E. Lee.
 
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