"To some, this delay in acknowledging our Confederate graduates may seem excessive prudence, or indeed a concession to the bugbear of sectionalism long since departed from the land," said General Taylor in a talk before a distinguished gathering of West Pointers. "In spite of the sight of the Stars and Bars flying from the radio masts of occasional automobiles coming out of Dixie, few fair-minded men can feel today that the issues which divided the North and the South in 1861 have any real meaning in our present generation. A Fiction Is Declared Ended "By the same token, there has: ceased to be any justification for maintaining the fiction at West Point that General Lee's military life ended in 1861 when he declined the command of the Northern Army and presented his sword to the State of Virginia.
"To most of us it appears high time to lay aside such historical blinders in viewing our graduates, and to acclaim with pride the fact which every school boy knows: that Robert E. Lee was not only a distinguished graduate of West Point, a superintendent who contributed notably to the development of the academy, a brilliant officer of the United States Army worthy to be offered the supreme command, but also the immortal battle leader of the Confederacy, whose deeds will stir men's souls as long as future generations find time to read the history of this country."
General Taylor asked West Pointers to rejoice in the symbolism of unity that the unveiling ceremony offered. "Today there is no North or South, no East or West, but one people, proud to honor two such leaders as Lee and Grant," he said. "It is true that we have other divisions, other troubles which distract and distress. But when our burdens seem heavy, let us draw new strength and inspiration from the fortitude which Lee and Grant displayed in the terrible days of the Civil War when the country was in greater danger than at any time in our history."
