The Union and journal., 1869-05-14
The following, which was presented origin
ly as the third Of the series, was rejected
wLsnIyGroN CORRESPONDENTS
WASHINGTON, May 10, 1869.

W.ISHINGToN CORRESPONDENCE.
WASHINGTON, May 10, 1869.
Enron UNION AND JOURNAL I'll notice thai
within few days Gen. Robert L. Lee, the eI'
Confederate General and representative Of the
..lost cause" received quite an ovation Mt Alex
,ndr;a. That Mr.. Lee, as a private citizen, is
entitled 10 all the respect that any citizen OF the
southern States is, who took prominent part
in the late war upon the government, no one
can doubt; but whether such receptions and
brilliant greetings tend TO heal the breach that
still exists between the two sections, is question:
able. Socially he Is represented to be man OF
fine feelings, genial manners, courteous In de-
pertinent, and brilliant in conversation; but
these elements Of his character were not what
the people Of this ancient city hOnored; II was,
rather, Lee, the great exemplar Of their institu-
tions, and martyr to their cause. Gray-head-
ed men paid him reverence; young men, their
homage whilst thousands Of Virginia's fair
daughters babe him welcome again to the ''sa-
cred soil" Would that the sons Of Virginia
might call to their council the wisdom that ex-
isted in some Of her noble representatives. Pat
rick Henry, the great exponent Of our gov
ernment, said, Il have no lamp to guide my
feet but the lamp Of experience. II would be
well for her citizens TO remember this language,
and profit by il.
IL might be well to say that the city Of Al
cxandria Is said to be about ten or twenty years
behind the age. The streets look ancient, and
some, deserted: the buildings ditto, and dilapi-
dated 10 some considerable extent, and nowhere
about the city does one observe that enterprise
and activity that is so apparent in our northern
cities. Occupying central position as this
city docs, to great expanse Of country snr-
rounding il; having an excellent harbor, and
well adapted for commercial emporium, upon
n lmited scale, yet it continues to-day to hold
on to the ghostly cornerstone" Of the late con-
fesleracy. Its citizens, to-day, can hardly be
lieye that slavery Is dead, and therefore they
received Lee as the champion OF their cause.
These false ideas and opinions can only be over.
come by northern immigration, and under such
influences they will be eradicated. The resi-
dents Of this ancient city were 30 enthusiastic In
their delight to behold their great leader, that
the old med wcpt, whilst fair maidens gathered
close about him, and some were 30 highly hon
orcd as to be permitted, not only to touch the
hem Of his garment. but to salute him with a
kiss. There is enough Of man worship In the
north, but certainly the city Of Alexandria bears
of the palm.
II such ovatious eyince anything, il is the
fact that the southern people will continue to
keen fresh in their hearts the memory Of the
former institutions, and hold ever in sacred re
membrance the leaders Of that 'cause."
have occasionally alluded to the controversy
that existed in the Congregational church Of
this city, which recently resulted in division.
The following item taken from one Of the MORN
ing papers of this city. alluding to meeting
recently held by the seccling members, and
over whom DR.. Boynton Formerly pastor OF the
Congregational Church) is pastor speaks fer
itself:
p, Boynton pronounced the action of the council that
met at the Congregational Church yranics, and not
according 10 the er of Congregatcnalism. IL was an
unfortunate circumstance he said, when ,hs nemoe,s o.
the new Congregational church here called fr and re
eeyed all frum churches al the NoTthi f he had since
been lnsultr and through him his cOuggatiOn by ha,-
ing cast up 70 him that his congregation we're beoehc
aries OF the Nothern churches. lie Congratulated his
members on having thrown of the yoke by which they
we're buenei when connected with the church on renth
street .. ....
II might be we'll to say the Council that is al
luded TO, was composed Of some OF the most dis
tingushed clcrgymen OF our country, anu In
whom the churches have the most unbounded
confidence. I'D .....
Yesterday was the finest day Of the season, II
secn,e,l n gala day almost in this city. The
streets were crowded with people who seemed
anxious TO enjoy the privilege OF once more well
coming the return Of the singing Of the birds.
The parks about the city presented brilliant
appearance, children in laughsome glec were
playing upon the green swari, carriages hold
Ing representatives Of the rising generation were
very numerous, while conspicuous above all the
rest were the ladies' Of the metropolis, who for
the first time have been permitted to show to
the public Of the city, the spring or rather the
summer fashions. | am not much Of connois-
eur of beauty. but in my humble opinion there
arc many fair maidens of your city, who in
comparison with the bellies OF this, would, rs lar
as beauty is concerned, bear of the prize.
miss here the flush OF youthful beauty that some.
times suiiuces the checks, the oright sparkle OF
the eye that denotes an active MIND, me erect
and well rounded form that can only 10 OBTAIN
ell by exercise in the open air. l miss all these
elements OF oeauty IN the Guy pen,s nere' I'
are 50 common among your hor.nerh iau,esI 'ir ne'e
u hiy WISHES 10 80 &c" squa',s, eJu%b'
INTO the morse cars 10 oc oon,eyn ensIe' r, wnno
al the nortn' usually tue women nn iny,o
no ino'e nes.'y '.'.i eAeie'se .a ;,,I -
open arr anu Is 9u,s'Unoe ~ NY ,as m.ne'
mns.ner, upon ue "aV's, III az -, ar. a..
eM 70 us as PcvpN, ". 'n' - aN.';'a t's' '''
hinuyr s'ea' uen ~ wy Ny :" IA IL =
IL sa'e 10 aSsvr' .na' nis, vi. .,'!
walker whom All VIII recogniie as .ne Hp'y
VINO some unie si,oc uunn'' 'uo '"a.o s'e'' am
was commissioner as MAYOR anu ac'ei Us sur
geon in the army, has at last obtained an audi
encc with President Grant When Grant re-