Posted on 01/19/2005 5:41:26 AM PST by meandog
Unlike Lincoln --Lee NEVER said anything against the african slaves--and Lee opposed slavery.Time the damyankees pardon a Great leader dont you think?
From http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2001/09/0907_smithgenlee.html :
One Sunday (just after the surrender at Appomatox Courthouse - TS) at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Richmond, a well-dressed, lone black man, whom no one in the community—white or black—had ever seen before, had attended the service, sitting unnoticed in the last pew.
Just before communion was to be distributed, he rose and proudly walked down the center aisle through the middle of the church where all could see him and approached the communion rail, where he knelt. The priest and the congregation were completely aghast and in total shock.
No one knew what to do…except General Lee. He went to the communion rail and knelt beside the black man and they received communion together—and then a steady flow of other church members followed the example he had set.
Or if He'd have gone around the Union Left at Gettysburg, as Longstreet suggested. Classic Jackson tactics. The Cause was Just.
His legacy is a minstrel song that can't be sung today.
Lee was, at best, mildly opposed to slavery. Let's not make him out to be something he wasn't.
Time the damyankees pardon a Great leader dont you think?
You're a bit late. Lee was included in Andrew Johnson's Christmas pardon in 1868.
President Eisenhower kept a portrait of Lee in his Office.
when one poor fool questioned this act. Eisenhower wrote "Robert E.Lee ,in my estimation,was one of the supremely gifted men produced by our nation. "Ike then pointed out that until 1865 ,at least, the cause Lee
supported was Constitutional(and the Constitution has not
changed so I must ocnclude we no longer understand the written document) Ike continued,"A naiton of men of Lees
calibre would be unconquerable in spirit and soul."
Rest in Peace.Mr.Lee- A more patriotic American there never was.
Deification of Lee is unseemly. Despite all his good points, he is, at the end of the day, a man who was responsible for the deaths of more loyal Americans than anyone other than Hitler.
Amen to that! Both Men were head and shoulders above any of our Nations leaders today. May God Bless them.
As did a majority of Americans -when we were new.And
understood the US Constitution.
"The name of American, which belongs to you in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism more than any appellation derived from local discriminations. With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits, and political principles. You have in a common cause fought and triumphed together; the independence and liberty you possess are the work of joint counsels, and joint efforts of common dangers, sufferings, and successes." -- George Washington, 1796.
But hey, what did he know?
Keep in mind that the term in 1861 was united States.
Virginia was a sovereign State with an agreement with other sovereign states.
It would be much like if the United States (as it is now a sovereign country after the WBTS) pulled out of the UN and the UN went to war with us to prevent that secession.
Would you call G. W. Bush (or yourself) a traitor?
Well I agree with you-- I have heard that Lee inherited
slaves -but set them free(do not know -wasn't there) And
indeed Lee was included in the Pardon of 68 --but some like
that onion head who claims Lee was a traitor need be
reminded these were all Americans. And wasn't Lee related
to George Washington?Wasn't he from a respected family?
Was he not a Christian? I do not idolize him --but I
certainly give him credit -where credit is due.
The same could be said about Lincoln.
The victors write the history.
(and do notice that only a few whack jobs agree with your assertion)
> If Stonewall Jackson had lived. You would be taking your hat off to Dixie before football games.
And if I was black? Would I be holding my masters hat to Dixe before football games?
> He went to the communion rail and knelt beside the black man and they received communion together
This is an example of why RE Lee is not so heroic. He *knew* that slavery was wrong, and he defended it nonetheless.
It's one thing to be on the wrong side... but to be on the wrong side and *know* it, and defend that position for political reasons...
I don't believe anyone is diefying General Lee, only offering respect that is due a great man.
"Despite all his good points, he is, at the end of the day, a man who was responsible for the deaths of more loyal Americans than anyone other than Hitler."
I believe that distinction belongs to old "Honest Abe".
The same argument could be applied to Colin Powell and abortion of the unborn (although IIRC Powell does defend abortion.)
As much as it may distress the writers of elementary level history books or their intended audience, issues are seldom black and white.
With your flank exposed.
Time the damyankees pardon a Great leader dont you think?
Just finished Victor Davis Hanson's "Ripples of Battle," in which (IIRC) he talks about how, after Appomatox,there was a move in Washington towards arresting Lee and Grant personally intervened to prevent it. (Yes, I know, that was Grant).
What I have always found fascinating are the stories of the contacts re-established among old West Point classmates and Army comerades after April, 1865. For example, General George Meade (commander of the Army of the Potomac 1863-65) wanted to pay his respects to General Lee. Grant had not invited him to attend the formal surrender, so Meade rode out on his own to Lee's headquarters. Lee did not initially recognize him, and after Meade introduced himself, Lee asked him how he had all that grey in his beard. Meade replied, "You have to account for most of it."
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