Patriot Perspective
Open Thread: 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.'"
45 Comments
M Rick Timms, MD
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 12:30 AM
Thank you Mark for acknowledging the life of this honorable man, whose character has been often maligned under the pen of the victorious. I encourage readers to take this time to recognize the true meaning of States Rights, and examine the words of men who were willing to give their lives for their home--their State.The danger of unlimited Federal Government and the issue of States Rights versus the power of the U.S. Government has been lost on most of us for far to long. Now we begin to see the issue become of critical importance as Americans are forced to look to their State governments to protect them from the abuses of the Federal government-i.e. healthcare reform, student loan reform, banking and mortgage industry, salt content of your soup, etc-, as well as neglect of those areas for which the Feds are indeed responsible- defense and border control.We all look at American history through the prism of two hundred years time, and it is difficult sometimes to understand that at the Founding and for some time after, the strong commitment to one's home State was far more developed than allegiance to the yet unproven concept of a Federal Government. No where is this more eloquently expressed than by Robert E. Lee as he anguished over the decision to resign his US ARMY commission in order to return to his Home - his state - almost 100 years following the founding of our Federal Government.“Now we are in a state of war which will yield to nothing. The whole South is in a state of revolution, into which Virginia, after a long struggle, has been drawn; and though I recognize no necessity for this state of things, and would have forborne and pleaded to the end for redress of grievances, real or supposed, yet in my own person I had to meet the question whether I should take part against my native State.”“With all my devotion to the Union and the feeling of loyalty and duty of an American citizen, I have not been able to make up my mind to raise my hand against my relatives, my children, my home. I have therefore resigned my commission in the Army, and save in defense of my native State, with the sincere hope that my poor services may never be needed, I hope I may never be called on to draw my sword. I know you will blame me; but you must think as kindly of me as you can, and believe that I have endeavored to do what I thought right.” Robert E. LeeI would imagine that most of us consider ourselves to be Americans, but we still consider our "homes" to be the State in which we live. It is the character of our States, that in large part determines the nature of our work and leisure.Do not mistake the present day calls for recognition of "States Rights" as a revolution against our Nation- but rather as a necessary stand against those who have usurped the Federal authority granted by the Constitution. They have been enabled by unfettered taxation which has enriched the nations coffers beyond comprehension. The huge amount of Federal taxation and confiscated wealth has created the fraudulent system in which we now are forced to send an elected representative to Washington to retrieve a portion of our hard earned wages, which should never have been sent there in the first place. This is not what the Founders intended, rather it is precisely what they warned us against.Thanks again for recognizing Robert E. Lee as an honorable man.
Jeff
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 9:22 AM
Sadly while traveling around the country we have encountered a large number of uninformed people who would portray Lee as a bumbling, slave whacking, redneck. When educated briefly about Lee's time as Commandant of the US Military Academy,and other accomplishments, we see a glimmer of recognition of his greatness. Demonizing Lee, and other state's rights advocates, is a position the Left needs to revise in the interest of proper education in the history of our nation.
Semper Fi
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 10:31 AM
"If there be any among us who would wish to dissolve this Union or to change its republican form, let them stand undisturbed as monuments of the safety with which error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it." --Thomas Jefferson
David
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 11:31 AM
With respect to the battle field, I disagree with bestowing the title upon Robert E. Lee as one of America’s greatest generals, especially when you consider his command decisions at the battle of Gettysburg.
Marc
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 11:40 AM
A great man... yes. A great man "of faith"? Evidence "of faith" was not provided in your comments, it is an unnecessary qualifier, and one need not be "of faith" to be a great man.
John Ross
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 11:45 AM
Where are you now Robert E Lee. Your country needs you .
Jim
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 11:57 AM
Thank you for your recognition of a great American. Robert E. Lee was the example of leadership. His humility along with a unique ability to see and develop leadership among his commanders is an inspiration. I still read his "Leadership Lessons", written by Bil Holton, Ph.D. Anyone who would try to disparage him should compare his writings to those Northern generals that he was always able to best.
Randy
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 12:04 PM
MarcA great man... yes. A great man "of faith"? Evidence "of faith" was not provided in your comments, it is an unnecessary qualifier, and one need not be "of faith" to be a great man.To this previous statement,I beg to differ.It is hard to become a great man,if you have faith in nothing. Randy
Myrl Allinder
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 12:08 PM
Oh for a brilliant writer/actorwho could present LEE's life, philosophy, reasonings, soul searching, as Lee "withdrew" from the Union todefended freedom, family and Virginia from tyrannyin the 2nd War for Independence.
RalphDaly28
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 12:08 PM
Lee was certainly a great man, a patriot, and a hero. His honorable behavior at the end of the war was instrumental in enabling our country to eventually acheive peace, heal, and remain a country. It is tragic that the great 19th century battle over states rights was undercut by entrenchd interests defending a morally repugnant "right" even if the constitution did not specifically prohibit it until amended. That moral stain tainted the valid arguments of the Confederacy and contributed to their ultimate defeat.
Marc
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 12:18 PM
Randy,Depends on what kind of faith. Confidence in oneself, yes. Conviction in your cause, sure. Trust of your neighbors and countrymen, perhaps. Blind acceptance of men trying to convince you, without evidence, in the existence of the supernatural - no way.Marc
Kirk
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 1:10 PM
Hopefully we will, someday, as a nation, grow up from the current shallow, twisted, sometimes adolescent understanding of the forces behind the American Civil War, but it will take many years. The issue of slavery wound up emotions to such a fever pitch that rational thinking went out the door... (similar to our current political climate, I think).Thank you for your sketch of a historical figure who's greatness simply must be understood inclusive of the Union, slavery (and its demise), Federalism, "anti-federalism"....all the things that make America sometimes flawed, but still great. Only intellectual laziness dismisses the southern Confederacy as merely a slave-owning aristocracy of elites. We have grown far above the views that made for slavery, and its past time for some to admit this. I think those that make their living imposing their "superior wisdom" about all aspects of life on the rest of us are terrified of the possibilty of state's rights revived as once more a force in American life..... if it does, their days in power are numbered.
Don G. Dinsdale
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 1:18 PM
As a child I was introduced to history via teachings of The Civil War, I now look at this war as a deep wrong to the people of the South... I was raised in Northern CA so I have no territorial ties to the South, but I've always felt a deep hurt watching underdogs beat upon by bully's and many time in my youth would step in, sometimes getting a bloodied nose for my efforts, but still I keep on... Having said that; I felt and said in class the South was correct and had every right (at that time in our history) to do what they did, if only they hadn't fired on Fort Sumter in S.C., but they did and all hell was dumped on them... The South had some great Generals and other leaders of lesser rank, but none as Great as Robert E. 'Bobbie' Lee...
Mike, a Yankee
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 1:31 PM
Yes, Robert E. Lee was indeed a man of faith. In a paperback book titled "Robert E. Lee, the Christian" are many documented letters and military correspondence to both family and fellow officers of his humility to and acknowledgement of Almighty GOD both on and off the battlefield. Oh to have men today, civilian and military, of the caliber of this fine Christian man.
David A. Williams
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 1:36 PM
Oh, if I could only be one-tenth the man that Robert E. Lee was. He is my hero. I join with him in saying, "I can only say that I am a poor sinner, trusting in Christ alone for salvation."