Another difference is that Robert Lee was willing to put his money where his beliefs were, and actually paid passage to Liberia for some of his former slaves. Obviously Lee had no problems with the idea of the Burke's moving to Africa with their children. And considering that William Burke was able to attend a Monrovia seminary, somehing he could never have done in Virginia, and become an ordained Presbyterian minister then it's clear that in their case moving to Africa was quite a step up over slavery in Dixie.
Robert E. Lee’s Opinion Regarding Slavery
You might want to go back and really read that in detail. What, exactly, was Lee's opinion of slavery? Well, he thought it was "a greater evil to the white than to the colored race", so it's clear who he's more concerned for. He goes on to state that slavery was "necessary for their further instruction as a race...", though what more they had to learn as a race after 250 years of bondage Lee didn't say. He was of the opinion that blacks were "...immeasurably better off here than in Africa..." so obviously Lee didn't think slavery was all that bad if a life here a his property was better than freedom in Africa. And as for the institution itself, Lee believed it would end when God willed it, be it 2 years or 2,000. And most of all, the fate of slavery should be left to the Almighty and that man should do nothing to hasten it's end. Except pray. And his opinions didn't change much, because seven years later he was still saying that he considered "...the relation of master and slave, controlled by humane laws and influenced by Christianity and an enlightened public sentiment, as the best that can exist between the white and black races while intermingled as at present in this country..."
The fact of the matter is that Lee's opposition to slavery was tepid at best, and non-existent at worst.
As for the others, I leave that to you to research.
I have. Both Davis and Jackson were slave owners and believed in the institution.
Well, you did ask.....and I did read what I posted (why would I not?).
Two points: one, From his comments Lee evidently understood something you missed, that slavery harmed the South by it’s very existence and two, Lee wasn’t filled with a desire to war to prolong the practice. Indeed his views are hardly different from the founding fathers like Jefferson and Washington. Both owned slaves and believed in the institution.