Patriot Perspective
Robert E. Lee
Today we take a moment to remember the birth anniversary of Robert E. Lee (1807-1870), one of the greatest military commanders in American history. He was also a great man of faith who gave his all for the cause of liberty and states' rights.
There were many honorable men of the Confederate States of America, whose objective was, first and foremost, the protection of states rights, and decidedly not the continuation of abhorrent institution of slavery. For a better understanding on the issues of the day, read this perspective on Abraham Lincoln, which was not included in your grade-school civics class. The honor we give these men has its roots in the founding of this great nation.
Mark Alexander notes in his essay, "Lincoln's Legacy at 200," that "the causal case for states' rights is most aptly demonstrated by the words and actions of Gen. Lee, who detested slavery and opposed secession. In 1860, however, Gen. Lee declined President Abraham Lincoln's request that he take command of the Army of the Potomac, saying that his first allegiance was to his home state of Virginia: 'I have, therefore, resigned my commission in the army, and save in defense of my native state... I hope I may never be called on to draw my sword.' He would, soon thereafter, take command of the Army of Northern Virginia, rallying his officers with these words: 'Let each man resolve to be victorious, and that the right of self-government, liberty, and peace shall find him a defender.'"
19 Comments
M Rick Timms MD in Georgia
Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 2:12 AM
Thank you Mark for again recognizing Gen. Robert E. Lee, an honorable man of faith and character, who is often vilified, (as many of us are), for having been a Southerner. Those who do so, know little of the man.
It is difficult for us today to imagine the mindset of the period, having over 200 years of American History behind us. But in 1860, we were not yet the United States of America, but rather a Union of States, each with varying investment in the relatively new idea of a Federal Government. Clearly Gen. Lee was torn between his oath as Union officer, and his loyalty to his home the State of Virginia. His decision to resign from the US Army, and return to Virginia reflects the importance of State Rights in the minds of men during the period. The Union's military victory, which ultimately imposed Lincoln's will on "the people", served to diminish the power of individual States within the Union, and set the stage for continued assaults on the Constitutional authority of individual States.
Today we see the result of expanded central authority, with the Federal assault on the Rights of States to defend their borders, conduct elections, educate children and conduct legitimate business without intervention. General Robert E. Lee led a life of exemplary service to his Nation, his State, and his Creator. We could use a man like him... The Day We Celebrate.... R.E. Lee - Now more than Ever!
Lee Colley in Reisterstown, Maryland
Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 9:41 AM
Yes America need som real Americans, We have people in Washington who are for self and self alone. We also could use some Gen. Pattons. Lets Welcome GOD back to America.
Tony in Texas
Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 10:16 PM
"We could have pursued no other course without dishonour; and as sad as the results have been, if it all to be done over again, we should be compelled to act in precisely the same manner." ROBERT E. LEE
Jsmith in Fredericksburg VA
Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 7:44 AM
"Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more, you should never wish to do less." -- R E Lee
Tod in Brooklyn N.Y.
Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 10:25 AM
North of the Mason-Dixon line---I say well done Good and Faithful Servant-Robert E Lee!!!
Calvin Johnson in Kennesaw, Georgia
Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 2:06 PM
Thank you kindly for remembering a great Southern-American--Gen. Robert E. Lee.
My article on Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson was published today at Canada Free Press.com
May God Bless!
Tony in Texas
Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 6:17 PM
Well done. Maybe we can put Lee on our new currency when the dollar falls.
One VA Patriot in Arlington
Monday, January 21, 2013 at 9:43 AM
Sort of like a commemoration for Lee's victory at Gettysburg?
Mike in goshen Ny
Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 6:34 PM
Few people, today, display the courage of their conviction, or fidelity to a belief, or principal as did General R. E. Lee. A great man, and role modle.
Ken Nolte in Bagram Afghanistan
Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 9:38 PM
Truly Robert E. Lee was an honorable man and a true patriot. He followed his beliefs and was defending his home state against what he must have believed as an unjust or at least incorrect government.
rab in jo, mo
Monday, January 21, 2013 at 8:08 AM
Lee made a name for himself as a great leader even prior to the Secession, having been recognized as the "hero of Vera Cruz" during the war with Mexico. It was no surprise that Lincoln wanted Lee to lead the Army of the Republic. A truly honorable man, he lost much for the cause of State's Rights. Arlington National Cemetary sits on the old Lee estate.
Jeff in Kentucky
Monday, January 21, 2013 at 9:26 AM
Lee was a true patriot. A leader of men who had served the US Army faithfully. He has been demonized by many ignorant folk, unwilling to find anything positive about him or the Confederate/state's rights movement. Even today any mention of state's rights is immediately labeled as racist rhetoric. Any mention of Lee ignores his service before the war, including his service as Commmandant of the US Military Academy. I guess ignorance is bliss.
One VA Patriot in Arlington
Monday, January 21, 2013 at 9:50 AM
Gentlemen,
I would caution against lionizing someone whose purpose was set against the cause of liberty. Do we need to be reminded that one impetus for the War Betwee the States was the destruction of slavery?
Buddy in Panama City, FL
Monday, January 21, 2013 at 1:57 PM
I would be more careful of lionizing Lincoln who did much harm to liberty by unconstitutionally invading the South without congressional approval, raping the wealth of the South, and jailed news reporters and editors denying them due process. Lincoln was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court on many issues. He carried his war to women & children, and burned their homes, and stole their livestock. The Confederacy did not conduct such a policy of war against the north. His purpose in the war as a progressive Whig, was to levy taxes on the rich South, and his policies are mimicked by none other than Obama who took the oath this weekend on the Lincoln Bible. Truly this country has been harmed by its "lionization" of Lincoln who abused Presidential powers, and ran over the Constitution. Robert E. Lee emancipated his slaves before the war. Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation was only a ploy that tried to encourage a slave rebellion in the South (it didn't work). He tried to use this as a war tactic only, but did nothing to free the slaves anywhere. The North itself maintained slavery for seven years after the war (North's General Grant). The state of Virginia had already voted against any extension of slavery in the state, so slavery was dying a peaceful death. Most slaves were treated like family, and the instances of abuse were few compared to the good treatment by Christian masters who followed the clear teaching of scripture regarding the fair treatment of their slaves. Slaves were not originally brought here under Confederate flags, but it was northern ships (Boston, Philadelphia, New York) that produced most of the impetus for the slave trade. The war was an unnecessary, unconstitutional tragedy prosecuted by the unilateral actions of a man who Obama now idolizes and typifies. I recommend some alternative sources of history written from a southern perspective. As a result, these progressives continue to rape the rich and industrious in order to expand their welfare plantation agenda. Slavery is alive and well.
Jsmith in Fredericksburg VA
Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 7:42 AM
The war was to preserve the Union, not to end slavery. Lincoln said so himself. Emancipation became a war aim in mid war.
It's worth noting that Grant owned slaves, but Lee owned none, and that "slave states" were on both sides.
Tom H. in Rock Island, IL
Monday, January 21, 2013 at 11:30 AM
He was a great military leader and strategist. However, he and all the other leaders of the War of the Southern Rebellion were traitors and should have been shot.
Jsmith in Fredericksburg VA
Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 7:41 AM
Thank you for noting his birth. R E Lee was one of America's, in fact the world's, greatest military commanders and his role as a peacemaker after the war showed his true greatness in defeat.
Kenneth Duckworth in Falls Church, VA
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 1:21 PM
"We can scarcely take up a newspaper ... that is not filled with nauseating flatteries’ of Lee, from which ‘it would seem ... that the soldier who kills the most men in battle, even in a bad cause, is the greatest Christian, and entitled to the highest place in heaven."
-- Frederick Douglass
You may cry "States Rights" all you want, but the Southern Leadership went to war to defend slavery. It is right there in Alexander Stephens' "Cornerstone Speech." They were also basically rejecting the outcome of a democratic election. Lincoln had not even taken office yet when "secessionitis" started with South Carolina. It was the "Slave Power" that started the war and hoped to maintain its dominance in the South if it couldnot in the Union.
Lewis Armistead in Richmond, Virginia
Friday, May 17, 2013 at 12:11 PM
I knew him