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Title: Chuck Baldwin - PRAISE FOR LEE AND JACKSON
Source:
NewsWithViews
URL Source: http://newswithviews.com/baldwin/baldwin485.htm
Published: Jan 17, 2009
Author: Chuck Baldwin
Post Date: 2009-01-17 21:38:05 by Rotara
Keywords: None
Views: 167
Comments: 21
By Chuck Baldwin January is often referred to as "Generals Month" since no less than four famous Confederate Generals claimed January as their birth month: James Longstreet (Jan. 8, 1821), Robert E. Lee (Jan. 19, 1807), Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson (Jan. 21, 1824), and George Pickett (Jan. 28, 1825). Two of these men, Lee and Jackson, are particularly noteworthy. Without question, Robert E. Lee and "Stonewall" Jackson were two of the greatest military leaders of all time. Even more, many military historians regard the Lee and Jackson tandem as perhaps the greatest battlefield duo in the history of warfare. If Jackson had survived the battle of Chancellorsville, it is very possible that the South would have prevailed at Gettysburg and perhaps would even have won the War Between the States. In fact, it was Lord Roberts, commander-in-chief of the British armies in the early twentieth century, who said, "In my opinion, Stonewall Jackson was one of the greatest natural military geniuses the world ever saw. I will go even further than that--as a campaigner in the field, he never had a superior. In some respects, I doubt whether he ever had an equal." While the strategies and circumstances of the War of Northern Aggression can (and will) be debated by professionals and laymen alike, one fact is undeniable: Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. Jackson were two of the finest Christian gentlemen this country has ever produced. Both their character and their conduct were beyond reproach. Unlike his northern counterpart, Ulysses S. Grant, General Lee never sanctioned or condoned slavery. Upon inheriting slaves from his deceased father-in-law, Lee immediately freed them. And according to historians, Jackson enjoyed a familial relationship with those few slaves that were in his home. In addition, unlike Abraham Lincoln and U.S. Grant, there is no record of either Lee or Jackson ever speaking disparagingly of the black race. As those who are familiar with history know, General Grant and his wife held personal slaves before and during the War Between the States, and, contrary to popular opinion, even Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation did not free the slaves of the North. They were not freed until the Thirteenth Amendment was passed after the conclusion of the war. Grant's excuse for not freeing his slaves was that "good help is so hard to come by these days." Furthermore, it is well established that Jackson regularly conducted a Sunday School class for black children. This was a ministry he took very seriously. As a result, he was dearly loved and appreciated by the children and their parents. In addition, both Jackson and Lee emphatically supported the abolition of slavery. In fact, Lee called slavery "a moral and political evil." He also said "the best men in the South" opposed it and welcomed its demise. Jackson said he wished to see "the shackles struck from every slave." To think that Lee and Jackson (and the vast majority of Confederate soldiers) would fight and die to preserve an institution they considered evil and abhorrent--and that they were already working to dismantle--is the height of absurdity. It is equally repugnant to impugn and denigrate the memory of these remarkable Christian gentlemen. In fact, after refusing Abraham Lincoln's offer to command the Union Army in 1861, Robert E. Lee wrote to his sister on April 20 of that year to explain his decision. In the letter he wrote, "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 . . ." Lee's decision to resign his commission with the Union Army must have been the most difficult decision of his life. Remember that Lee's direct ancestors had fought in America's War For Independence. His father, "Light Horse Harry" Henry Lee, was a Revolutionary War hero, Governor of Virginia, and member of Congress. In addition, members of his family were signatories to the Declaration of Independence. Remember, too, that not only did Robert E. Lee graduate from West Point "at the head of his class" (according to Benjamin Hallowell), he is yet today one of only six cadets to graduate from that prestigious academy without a single demerit. However, Lee knew that Lincoln's decision to invade the South in order to prevent its secession was both immoral and unconstitutional. As a man of honor and integrity, the only thing Lee could do was that which his father had done: fight for freedom and independence. And that is exactly what he did. Instead of allowing a politically correct culture to sully the memory of Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. Jackson, all Americans should hold them in a place of highest honor and respect. Anything less is a disservice to history and a disgrace to the principles of truth and integrity. Accordingly, it was more than appropriate that the late President Gerald Ford, on August 5, 1975, signed Senate Joint Resolution 23, "restoring posthumously the long overdue, full rights of citizenship to General Robert E. Lee." According to President Ford, "This legislation corrects a 110-year oversight of American history." He further said, "General Lee's character has been an example to succeeding generations . . ." The significance of the lives of Generals Lee and Jackson cannot be overvalued. While the character and influence of most of us will barely be remembered two hundred days after our departure, the sterling character of these men has endured for two hundred years. What a shame that so many of America's youth are being robbed of knowing and studying the virtue and integrity of the great General Robert E. Lee and General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson.
Poster Comment: Brilliant, simply Brilliant !
January 16, 2009
NewsWithViews.com
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#1. To: Rotara (#0)
And what rhymes with Chuck? You've one guess on this one.
And Obongo takes Lincoln's route to his inauguration when these two gentlemen did far more for the American Negro than Lincoln. Hmmmmmmmmm Wonder if Obongo will now proceed to copy Lincoln's travels through his presidency.
Lee also ordered Picketts charge which everyone knew was hopeless. Pickett questioned it, but did as ordered. Good men died for nothing.
Some photo album. Your relatives??? hehehehe
"Of all of the events that occurred during the three days of the Battle of Gettysburg, few have been more studied, debated, celebrated, and romanticized than Longstreet's Assault, more popularly known as "Pickett's Charge". Coordinated by Lt. General James Longstreet, the attack has been referred to as "Longstreet's Grand Assault" by many historians. Yet it is General George Pickett's name that has forever been attached to the "High Water Mark" of the battle, for his troops- "the flower of Virginia manhood"- were more glorified for their participation in the charge by southern and northern writers in the years following the battle. Pickett, after the charge..."I have no division"."...
Apparently not...
Hell no, I'm a kraut. But I started surfing through the images of the "January Generals" and I thought the portraits striking. I sense a piercing intelligence in these faces that is more than mere military deameanor and martial bearing. The photography too is remarkable.
If you find Sheridan, that man was crazy and everyone knew it.
The War between The States was lost. We're all federal slaves now. The Fabians look to pull away and seal the deal.
4um Traitor They Shall Not.
I really appreciate these articles that set the record straight about Lee, and I also delight in Thomas J. DiLorenzo's writings such as "The Real Lincoln: A New Look at Abraham Lincoln, His Agenda, and an Unnecessary War". I secretly despised Lincoln even as a kid because he set the soulless, urban predators loose upon our nation. And that was before I knew what a scumbag Lincoln really was.
You are absolutely right. Please accept my apology for the flippant remarks.
Not at all, Phant. You're a sport.
Outstanding article and information. Thanks.
You are very welcome.
4um Traitor
#2. To: Rotara (#0)
#3. To: Rotara (#0)
#4. To: Rotara (#0)
(Edited)
What a shame that so many of America's youth are being robbed of knowing and studying the virtue and integrity of the great General Robert E. Lee and General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson.
#5. To: Rotara (#0)
#6. To: Rotara (#0)
#7. To: Rotara (#0)
#8. To: randge (#7)
Your photos
#9. To: randge, rotara, Phant20000 (#7)
#10. To: Rotara (#0)
"General Lee's character has been an example to succeeding generations . . ."
Remember...G-d saved more animals than people on the ark. www.siameserescue.org
#11. To: Phant2000 (#8)
Your relatives???
#12. To: randge (#11)
#13. To: Rotara (#0)
For contrast.
#14. To: Cynicom (#12)
General Philip H. Sheridan
#15. To: randge (#14)
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
#16. To: Rotara (#15)
#17. To: Rotara (#0)
#18. To: randge (#11)
But I started surfing through the images of the "January Generals" and I thought the portraits striking.
#19. To: Phant2000 (#18)
#20. To: Rotara (#0)
#21. To: lodwick (#20)
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
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