-----------In January, America and The SOUTH celebrates the birthdays of 3 of it's beloved sons. 1)Dr.Martin Luther King Jr.(Jan.15,1929),2)General Robert E. Lee(Jan.19,1807),and 3)General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson(Jan. 21,1824). It is nice to see these 3 names honored together in our politically correct society.
-----In fact, since Dr.King has achieved almost a righteous realm, while statues ,historical markers and historical references honoring the 2 Generals are desecrated and destroyed across The SOUTH. One wonders what Dr.King, who dreamed of a day when men would be judged not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character, would say about such behavior.
-----Dr.King taught us to love, not hate those with who we disagree with. He showed us through peaceful protests and ultimately his death. That "ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL",he deserves our HONOR.
-----Similary, decades after the cannons of The War Between the States fell silent. Men and women across The SOUTH(and America)still HONOR the memories of the 2 Generals as well. Today, many leftists denounce those HONORS, through juvenile name calling.
-----It is helpful to consider the character of these 2 Generals. Not through politically correct glasses that labels them as unrepentant racists, much as the left currently labels our President Donald J. Trump. It is the exact opposite. Lee and Jackson endeared themselves to Southerners(and Americans),because they were men of unquestionable character.
-----Despite Jackson's success in both the Mexican/American War and The War Between the States. The accomplishment for which he was most proud of, was the Sunday school class he began in 1855. For free black and slave children in Lexington, VA.. More than 100 children showed up every Sunday, not just to learn THE WORD of GOD, but also to read and write. Many of them became leaders in their communities after blacks were freed.
-----Jackson's effort was no small accomplishment. In the aftermath of the 1831 Turner Rebellion in southeast Virginia. Legislatures in all Southern States enacted restrictive laws including the prohibition of black education. A local Lexington judge warned Jackson his Sunday school was in violation of such laws, and he could face a year in jail if he continued. Jackson was stuborn and responded that black children stood in need of GOD'S salvation as much as white children. He told the judge to follow his conscience, as Jackson would follow his. He refused to close the school. Which continued for many years after his death in 1863.
-----Likewise, Lee endeared himself to Southerners(all Americans)not only through his military greatness , but through his Faith and Honor. He was the only cadet to go through all 4 years at West Point , without receiving a demerit. He, as a Lt. captured a Mexican General and his army , with a small band of men in The Mexican/American War. He was offered command of the entire UNION ARMY, at the beginning of The War Between the States. Lee refused,because he could not fight against his "country", the sovereign State of Virginia.
-----Lee was also a strong Christian who closely aligned his faith in GOD, with his duty as a military officer. Lee once wrote,"DUTY , THEN, IS THE SUBLIMEST WORD IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. YOU SHOULD DO YOUR DUTY IN AL THINGS. YOU CAN NEVER DO MORE. YOU SHOULD NEVER DO LESS." He imprinted many such moral lessons to future leaders of his State as president of Washington College(now Washington and Lee University)after the war.
-----It is no surprise that Southerners(as most Americans)whose fathers and grandfathers fought in The War Between the States. Recognized the moral qualities of these 2 Generals and wanted to hold them as examples for their children and grandchildren(all Americans).If only we all could recognize the content of their character, not the color of their skin,or which side they fought on North or South...WE MIGHT ACHIEVE DR.KING'S DREAM...
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