Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 03.djvu/41

 Most of us here have seen and known him, if not in his splendid youth, fit at once to charm the eye of the Athenian multitude and to awe a Roman Senate, yet in his maturer years, when time and care had worn his body but to show more glorious the lofty soul within. Amongst us and ours his life was led, so blameless as might become a Saint, so tender as might become a woman, so simple as might become the little children "of whom is the kingdom of Heaven." So consistent was that life, so devoted to duty, without a glance to right or left, so fixed on the golden rule, adopted once and forever, that his biographer, even now in a time of passion and distorted truth, hesitates what to choose for his highest praise—lingering in turn over Lee the son, Lee the husband, Lee the father, Lee the friend. Idle then it were for me to picture him in all the relations he bore to those around him, and worse than idle were I to follow what is much the fashion nowadays and make a study of Lee the Christian, pry with curious glance into the sacred chamber wherein man kneels to his God, or dare to touch the awful veil which fools are swift to rend. But, says the critic, private virtue is not for public use; a Torquemada may be gentle in his home, and a Stuart seek to enslave his people, yet lead a life of chastity.

'Tis true, but still our great commander shines flawless and perfect, at once in the quiet beams of the household hearth and in the fierce light that beats upon the throne of him born to be king of men.

Let one great example show it. None but those who know the power of lofty ambition can tell what vast temptation beset our leaders; none can know the heroism of the decision in the dark days of 1861. He was the favorite soldier of all who followed Scott; he was the picked and chosen man for high command in the armies of the United States. He was besought almost with tears by him he reverenced as a second father; to him was tendered the baton of general-in-chief. Who can tell what visions trooped upon his sight: of power, that dearest boon to the powerful, of fame world wide, of triumphs, not easy but certain. And who can tell but fairer dreams than these assailed him; hope, nay almost belief, that he and he alone might play the noble part of pacificator and redintegrator patriæ, that he might heal the wounds of civil strife, and be hailed by North and South as worthy of the oaken garland.

He had been more or less than human, had not these thoughts,