As a Representative in Congress Gen. LEE was diligent in the service of his constituents and in behalf of policies which commended themselves to his favor.  He seldom spoke, but it was not because he could not speak well and forcibly.  He was not noted as the peculiar champion of any of the great measures before Congress, but it was not because he did not comprehend them nor take great interest in them, and I doubt if there be many Representatives who have had a more wholesome or further-reaching influence.

His fine character and engaging manner made friends for him and for his people.  His excellent judgment had great weight in council, his political ideas were eminently liberal, and his tact and attention reached results where perhaps more aggressive qualities would have been ineffectual.  On one occasion that I recall he was urging the passage of the bill to pay for use and occupation of the Theological Seminary near Alexandria during the war.  He became the mark, in doing so, of inquiry and badinage, and some one, meaning to disparage the claim by intimation that the clerical professors of the institution had been enemies of the Government, called out to him, “How did they pray?” He answered instantly, “For all sinners.”  His ready pleasantry put everybody in good humor and the bill was passed.

Gen. LEE was a representative man in a larger sense than that of official designation.  He was a representative country gentleman, and the flavor of his native soil was in his character.  He was born in the country, at beautiful Arlington, with the woods and fields and streams and mountain vistas around him.  He lived in the country all his life, and died in the country, at his home in Fairfax County, an owner of land, loving the land; his home, a fine old country seat of colonial pattern, the scene of domestic peace and love and hospitality; his voice, that of the good people of his vicinage; his life, daily tasks, intermingled with daily studies and contemplation; his aims, those of the patriot and Christian, his country, God, and truth.

Gen. LEE was a representative American of broad gauge and vision.  Many of us—­and I have felt myself amongst them—­are quite provincial.  We know our own neighborhoods and their people, and we grow slowly into knowledge of other sections and their people.  Local caste, prejudice, interest, and bias warp us and minify our usefulness.  Gen. LEE was not of this kind.  There was no sectionalism in his caste, no bigotry in his creeds.  His strong local attachments, natural to a true nature, neither dwarfed his opinions, soured his reflections, nor darkened his vision.  His was a ripe mind and his a generous nature.  He understood men, because he understood mankind.  He had respect for all men, because he respected manhood.  He dealt considerately and justly with all men of all races, creeds, opinions, and aspirations, because he respected men and because he had a good man’s sympathy, with the hopes of his race, his country, and humanity.