Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-06-15
THE ALLEGED INDICTMENT OF GEN. LEE.


John {. Underwood On itinerant schoolmasteK
from Northern state, settled many years ago in
the county of Fairfax, Virginia, took charge oil
n country school, and began in modest way TO
cOriect the ignorance of this benighted State.
In the course OF time he married very sortby
lady of that county, and obtained, through her
connections. large and ukeul acqhaintancesbip
i'm that region, which he improved tinan. ia ly
and otherwise. His sentiments on the subject OF
slavery were obnoxious TO the people, and, there
fore modestly concealed until an opportunity OF
their cafe exposition was afforded, as he thought,
az the time Of the Fremont campaign we be ieye,
when. in the midst Of few fishermen, lie rails
q pole at 0eeOquan bearing flag inscribed with
the name of the Abolition candidate for the
Presidency. This was mole than his neighboT
felt like enduring, aud Underwood was forced
10 leave, to avoid sharper ca. tigation than he
had been wont to iniiict on the rising heirs OF
Fairfax.
Daring the war he was appointed to judge
ship-why, we cannot conceive; probably on the
ground that as there was nothisg % be done, he
Could do no harm; but the conclusion of peace
leaves him the highest Judicial oficerin the East
ern District of Virginia; and the first official
function Of public nature which he discharges,
ON The return of peace is - launch against
citizen of this state the latchets o. whose shoes
be is unworthy TO loose, proclamation which,
for violence, blaspheny and unfounied aspersion
ola brave and ehiyaLous people, beggars imagery
and defes comparison.
No sooner had this charge been issued than its
object was unfOlded in the SUNNI )ning OF cloud
of witnesses before the grand jury, IN order to
base on their evidence an Indictment against
Gen. Lee.
Gen. Grant could afford lot only to pardon
Gen. ZEE but 20 exhaust the etiquette OF cQnven-
tional respect in all his intercourse with him.
The great Army Of the Potomac could dol their
hats with tie involuntary homage OF the soldier
10 genius, courage and chlyairyi as the old lead
er of the Army OF Northern Virginia passed their
lines after his surrender. The N0uhern viJit0rs
ould vie with the residents and natives OF Rich.
mond in paying him the most touching marks OF
respect as he wended his way 10 his home
through the streets Of our capital.
The stllWart heroes OF sEerman could break
GU. INTO cheers not OF insult but OF appreciation,
as they passed hls door III taeir triumph mt
march. The Government at Wa. hingt0n, which
has thought roger 10 arrest Cos. rnOrs aud Tx
tIoyernorA Commissioners aud Congressman
bureau chiefs and block Ide-ruaners, presidents
aud preac ers, has not laid tbs weight OF finger,
or a threat on the man 10 whom General Grant
has given his soldier-wOid for safeguard. No,
the foul deed Was left for the congelial perior-
nance of an imported Judge, who, after nidlIgn
ing the state whose pope gave him bread in MS
poverty AID Consequences III his o6Jcurlty, sum
mons these people 20 aid him IN hunting 10 his
death their mos. eminent GLOW citizen.
We ale glad to say for the honor Of the Aneri'
can people uf ali states and sections, that no
word has been heard ia any quarter Of sympathy
ia the prosecution, and we learn from private
source, that so great IS The indignation ong
all classes in Norfolk at this attempt TO STAN
their c:ty with so tOu. a crime, that the iriends
OF Gen. Lee have no apprehension Of any un-
peasant re ats from this bulletin OF persecution
irOai the pole raiser Of OccOluan.