The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-04-08
deneral lees Opinions on Reconstruc-
ton.

"ehefai lees Opinions on Reconstruc
ton.
We agree with the Enquirer that Gene.
raj LEE's desire not to DO brought before
the public should be respected. We were
not the first to publish his opinions upon
the Sherman bill, nor to raise question
as to his position. The Valley VIyinian is
entitled to the credit Of informing the pub
lie upon the subject. But when the ques-
ton had once been mooted, and Certain
Journals attempted to throw doubt upon it,
we thought it not improper to state upon
"unquestionable authority" what General
LEES declarations had been. The Enqui-
rer of Saturday intimates that We spoke
"unknowingly." We invite the editor, il
he feels any interest in learning, to call at
our connting-room and ascertain upon
whose authority the statement was made.
1t so happens that We have at hand, in
the New York Herald, proof that General
LEES position has not been misstated.
The Richmond correspondent of that jour
nal went to Lexington for the purpose OF
learning General LEES views. Having a
letter OF introduction, he presented him.
self at the Generals residence, and was
kindly received. OF course General LEE
declined to define his position to CORE
spondcnt of BENEFITS Herald; but he
clearly admitted that he had made the de-
clara;ions attributed to him. We quote
from tie Haalds letter:
Knowing his reticence with regard to mat
iers political, alluded "a delicately as posi-
Die 10 the reports that have recently been pro-
mulgated III the newspapers rurporting TO give
his views as to the course the southern people
should pursue under the present circum-
stances, when he said, You must excuse me,
sir from expressing myself upon that subject.
My position is very peculiar one. lam pa
rolled prisoner, and have no right 10 speak
upon political matters, and anything / may
have said has only been among my immediate
circle of friends, from whom il doubtless es-
capped Internationally, and reached the news
papers then remarked The reports al
luded TO have been published in the entire
press OF the country, and in this way VIII have
q decided eject with the southern people ;
which elected the following: i wish the
southern people to take such measures rs will
most speedily restore them TO their prosperity.
With that view, was In favor of 4 convention
10 accept the terms OF the Dill, Dut
now learn that the supplementary bill places
that power in the hands of the military com
mandcr.' remarked such was the case, when
he said, hope that every citizen who can
vote viii vote; so as 10 secure the speedy resto-
ration and welfare of the country
During our conversation the General said
he disliked being paraded before the public in
newspapers but of such importance and gene.
raj interest 10 the public are his opinions al
the pr.sc time, feel it a duty TO give them
SO far rs ] succeeded in obtaining them III 4 fair
and legitimate manner
The Enquirer will see that General LEES
course has been identical with ours. 81
UaS," said he, "in fauor Of a convention to
accept the terms Of the military BILL" thus
expressing his approval ofthe action of the
Virginia Senate. But now,' he added,
81 learn that the supplementary bill places
"that power in the hands of the military
commander" Further, he said: " hope
"that every citizen who can vote will vote !;
use as to secure the speedy restoration and
"welfare of the country" These are ex-
actly the utterances that we ascribed to
him. How did they get to the public ?
General LEE answers this question also {:
"Anything l may have said has only been
"amoug my immediate circle of friends,
g. from ,rhom it doubtless escaped uninten-
"tionally, and reached the newspapers"
The statements, then, were vouched for by
his intimate friends, to whom he made
them. He clearly understands that it was
his 4" friends" who unintentionally gave his