Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 17.djvu/359

 Lee's Birthday, 351

Lee, the friend of humanity. Such a character nc people, age or clime can claim as wholly their own. It is a possession and glory of the human race.

John W. Daniel. Washington, D, C

FROM HENRY WATTERSON.

I cannot answer your command for a sentiment in commemoration and in homage of the great Lee better than by sending you the noble lines which Sir Henry Taylor puts into the mouth of the Duke of Burgundy over the dead body of Philip Von Artevelde. They might be fittingly uttered by the North on the occasion which you celebrate :

"Dire rebel though he was,

Yet with a noble nature and great gifts Was he endowed — courage, discretion, wit, An equal temper and an ample soul, Rock bound and fortified against assaults Of transitory passion ; but below Built on a surging, subterranean fire That stirred and lifted him to high attempts, So prompt and capable, and yet so calm. He nothing lacked in sovereignty but the right, Nothing in soldiership except gfood fortune. Wherefore with honor lay him in his grave, And thereby shall increase of honor come Unto their arms who vanquished one so wise, So valiant, so renowned.**

Henry Watterson. Louisville, Ky,

reverend frank stringfellow, lee's scout.

General Robert E. Lee, the greatest production of America's civil and religious institutions. Although his military genius placed him at the head of the armies of the South, it only served to gain him friends at the North, for Lee, the soldier, was lost in Lee, the Chris- tian. He was so truly great that he had no weaknesses to hide. He did not wrap himself in the mysteries of his great office, for the humblest private could approach him with confidence. He loved us all. What a man was he ; so great, so kind, so wise !

Frank Stringfellow. Virginia,