Can you please help me annotated or make annotations for Robert E. Lee's Letter to his son.
I have to make them because it will help figure what the meaning or purpose is behind this letter. Like certain phrases, or details with why it goes with this letter, their meaning, and their explanation . Thank you
"Letter to his son" By Robert E. Lee
Col. Robert E. Lee, stationed in Fort Mason, Texas, under the command of General David Twiggs, wrote to his son, Custis, about the secession crisis. Though a supporter of slavery ( ( he was, in fact, a slave owner). Not only did Lee disagree with the idea of secession, he had logically workout in his mind, why, historically, constitutionally, and legally it was wrong.
Wednesday, January 23,1961
I received Everett's Life of Washington which you sent me, and enjoyed it perusal. How his spirit would be grieved could he see the wreck of his mighty labors! I will not, however, permit myself to believe, until I all ground of hope is gone, that the fruit of his noble deeds will be destroyed, and that his precious advice and virtuous example will so soon be forgotten by his countrymen. As far as I can judged by the papers, we are between a state of anarchy and civil war. May God avert both of these evils from us. I fear that mankind will not be sufficiency Christianized to bear the absence of restraint and force. I see that four states have declared themselves out of the Union; four more will apparently follow their example. Then, if the border states are brought into the gulf of revolution, one half of the country will be arrayed against the other. I must try and be patient and await the end, for I can do nothing to hasten or it.
The South, in my opinion, has been aggrieved by the acts of the North, as you say. I feel the aggression and am willing to take every proper step for redress . It is the principle I contend for, not individual or private benefit. As an American citizen, I take great pride in my country, her prosperity and institutions, and would defend any state if her rights were invaded. But I can anticipate no greater calamity for the country than a dissolution of the Union. It would be an accumulation of all the evils we complain of, and I am willing to sacrifice everything but honor for its preservation. I hope, therefore, that all constitutional means will be exhausted before there is a resort to force. Secession is nothing but revolution. The framers of our Constitution never exhausted so much labor, wisdom, and forbearance in its formation, and surrounded it with so many guards and securities, if it was intended to be broken by every member of the Confederacy at will. It was intended for “perpetual union,” so expressed in the preamble, and for the establishment of a government, not a compact, which can only be dissolved by revolution or the consent of all the people in convention assembled. It is idle to talk of secession. Anarchy would have been established, and not a government, by Washington, Hamilton, Jefferson, Madison, and the other patriots of the Revolution. . . . Still, a Union that can only be maintained by swords and bayonets, and in which strife and civil war are to take the place of brotherly love and kindness, has no charm for me. I shall mourn for my country and for the welfare and progress of mankind. If the Union is dissolved, and the government disrupted, I shall return to my native state and share the miseries of my people; and, save in defense, will draw my sword on none.
Here's a start:
" How his spirit would be grieved could he see the wreck of his mighty labors! I will not, however, permit myself to believe, until I all ground of hope is gone, that the fruit of his noble deeds will be destroyed, and that his precious advice and virtuous example will so soon be forgotten by his countrymen. "
Washington would very disappointed to see the country falling apart.
"I fear that mankind will not be sufficiency Christianized to bear the absence of restraint and force."
We can't bear this anarchy.
Carry on --
Sure! I can help you annotate Robert E. Lee's Letter to his son. Here are some annotations for certain phrases and details in the letter:
1. "How his spirit would be grieved could he see the wreck of his mighty labors!" - This phrase refers to George Washington and suggests that Lee believes Washington would be disappointed to see the current state of affairs in the country.
2. "I will not, however, permit myself to believe, until I all ground of hope is gone, that the fruit of his noble deeds will be destroyed, and that his precious advice and virtuous example will so soon be forgotten by his countrymen." - Lee expresses his optimism that the country will not forget the ideals and principles set forth by George Washington.
3. "As far as I can judge by the papers, we are between a state of anarchy and civil war." - Lee expresses his concern about the current state of the nation, suggesting that there is a significant risk of anarchy and civil war.
4. "May God avert both of these evils from us." - Lee prays for divine intervention to prevent anarchy and civil war.
5. "The South, in my opinion, has been aggrieved by the acts of the North, as you say. I feel the aggression and am willing to take every proper step for redress." - Lee acknowledges the grievances of the South and expresses his willingness to seek justice for those grievances.
6. "It is the principle I contend for, not individual or private benefit." - Lee emphasizes that his motivations lie in defending principles rather than pursuing personal gain.
7. "But I can anticipate no greater calamity for the country than a dissolution of the Union." - Lee considers the dissolution of the Union to be the worst possible outcome for the nation.
8. "Secession is nothing but revolution." - Lee categorizes secession as a form of revolution, implying that it goes against the principles of the Constitution.
9. "Anarchy would have been established, and not a government, by Washington, Hamilton, Jefferson, Madison, and the other patriots of the Revolution." - Lee highlights the founding fathers' intention to establish a government, not anarchy, through their efforts during the American Revolution.
10. "If the Union is dissolved, and the government disrupted, I shall return to my native state and share the miseries of my people." - Lee states that if the Union collapses, he will return to his home state, indicating his commitment to stand by his fellow Southerners.
These annotations point to Lee's belief in the importance of preserving the Union, his commitment to upholding the Constitution, and his desire to seek redress for the grievances of the South through constitutional means rather than secession.