Lee is a misunderstood figure in American history
Perhaps the most berated and debased historical figure in America today is Robert E. Lee. Consider the man apart from the issue of slavery and then regarding slavery.
Sir Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister who guided England through World War II, a man considered an exceptional leader, called Lee “one of the noblest Americans who ever lived.”
An objective observer would indeed consider his leadership skills to be exceptional. Lee served along with General Grant in the Mexican-American war and became a decorated war hero defending our country.
He was Superintendent of the U. S. Military Academy, West Point, from 1852 -55.
After the uncivil Civil War he became highly regarded in northern states working tirelessly in reconstruction efforts with President Andrew Johnson. He took a backwater college and made it a prestigious university. Washington and Lee University survived because of a generous gift from George Washington and later the outstanding leadership of Lee.
He was conflicted over the South leaving the Union, but he believed states rights were to be preferred over federal restriction. That which initiated the Civil War was not slavery, but taxation without representation, as the North imposed unjust taxes and tariffs on the South.
He and his wife, Mara Anna, believed slavery was a great evil. His wife broke the law by teaching slaves to read and write.
Lee was among a number of Southern Generals already working to end slavery at the outbreak of the war. There were more antislavery societies in the south at the outbreak of the war than in the north.
Before the war he wrote in “The Times” that his slaves would be released in five years. He was referring to the slaves inherited by his wife on their Arlington House estate. Those years were to be spent teaching them how to live as free people and make a living.
By our standards his proposed progress was intolerably slow. However, for its time and purpose it was practical.
In a letter by Lee dated Dec. 27, 1856 are found these extracts.
“There are few, in this enlightened age, who will not acknowledge that slavery as an institution is a moral and political evil... Their emancipation will sooner result from the mild and melting influence of Christianity than from the storm and tempest of fiery controversy. This influence though slow, is sure.”
The people of the south seeking to emerge from a slavery ethos were like a butterfly trying to escape from a cocoon. They were involved in an inevitable process, the ending of the blight of slavery.
In retrospect had abolition been given the time the war required slavery would have ended, far fewer lives lost, and less property destroyed.
Now should all evidences of Lee be removed? We might learn from other countries.
In the national museum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia is a large painting which includes Marxist dictator Mengistu Mariam among other presidents and emperors of Ethiopia. His rule from1977-1991 was called the “Red Terror.” He killed thousands of political opponents including the former emperor.
Ethiopians say he is a part of their history and the painting should stay. Lee is a part of our history.
In St. Petersburg, Russia, there is a magnificent statue to Queen Catherine. Her bloody and scandalous life was disgraceful. In spite of her ruthless rule her statue remains. Russians say it is a reminder of their past in order that they might not repeat it.
May the “mild and melting influences of Christianity” prevail today.