Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-11-09

s- l. published regularly on TUESDAYS,
THURSDAYS snd SATURDAYS, at S6 per
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Address of MIR. Reverdy Johnson.
We have the speech of Mr.. Reverdy John
son at meeting Of the friends and admirers
of Gen. Robert E. Lee. held at Raine's Hall,
Baltimore city. short time since, from which
We make some extracts
1T was ny good fortune to know bim before
the Mexican war, in those better days before
the commencement Of the sad struggle through
which we have recently passed. [ saw in him
everything that could command the respect
aud admiration of men loud applause and l
watched with peculiar interest his course in tho
Mexican war. It was also my good fortune to
know the late Lieut.. Gen. Scott In the
commencement Of the struggle to which 1
have alluded, l occupied in Washington the
position OF quasi military adviser to him. and
was in that capacity, intimately associated
with him. I have heard him often declare
that the glorious and continued success which
crowned our arms in the war with Mexico was
owning, 10 large measure, to the skill, valor
and updaunted courage of Robert +. Lee
Loud applause. He entertained for him the
warmest personal friendship, and it was his
purpose to recommend him as his successor
in the event of his death or inability to perform
the duties of his high position. In April,
1861, after the commencement of hostilities be-
tween the two great sections Of our country,
Gen. Lee, then Lieut.. Col. of cavalry in the
army of the u. S., offered his resignation. |
WAS with Gen. Scott when he was handed the
letter OF resignation and I saw what pain the
fact caused him. While he regretted the
step bis most valuable officer had taken, he
never failed to say cmphaticaIly, and over and
again, that he believed be had taken it from
AL imperative sense of duty. Loud applause.
You cannot imagine with what delight, when
| had the honor to represent this country at
the Court of Great Britain, heard the praises
of his fame and character which came from SOL
ders and statesmen. | need not speak OF the
Union generals who opposed him; this is not
the place or time for discussion Of their re-
spective successes and defeats. but may say
that, as lar as [ was able to judge Of the senti
ments OF the military men OF Great Britain,
they thought none OF the Union officers supe-
rior 10 General Robert E. Lee. Their admi-
ration for him was not only on account of his
skill on the battle field, and the skiIful manner
with which he planned and executed his cam
paigns, but the humane manner In which he
performed bis sad duty They alluded special
Of bis enemy-his restraint upon his men, tel
ling them that the honor OF the army depended
upon the manner of conducting the war in the
eneny's country-and his refusal to resort TO
retalialory measures. | know that great in
Auences were brought to bear upon him when
he invaded Pennsylvania 10 induce him to Coz
sent to extreme measures. His answer. how
ever, was: "No: if suffer my army to pur
sue the course recommended, cannot invoke
the blessing of God upon my arms. lie
would not allow his troops to destroy pnVatc
property or to violate the rights OF The cltlzens
When the necessities OF his army compelled the
taking of commissary stores by his orders, his
officers paid tor them in Confederate moneyat
their then valuation. No burning Lomesteads
;llumined his march, no shiverlng and help
less children we're turned out Of their homes to
witness their destruction by the torch With
him all the rules of civilized war; having the
HIGHER sanction of God, were strictly observed.
The manly tortitude with which he yielded
at Appomattox to three times his numbers
showed that be was worthy OF the honors and
the fame the South had given him. This IS
not the first time since the termination OF the
war have expressed admiration and iriend'
ship for Robert E. Lee. When heard that
he was about TO be prosecuted IN ylrein'a
Court for the alleged crime OF treason L wrote
to him at oDce, and with all my heart, that 1t
he believed l could be of any service to him,
professionally, was at bis command. All the
ability [ possess, increased ty more than hity
years Of study and expert ,nce, would have been
cheerfully exertcd to have saved him, Tor IN
saving him J believe I would have been saving
the honor OF my country. Loud applause. |
received Characteristic reply in terms OF
friendship and grateful thanks he wrote
that be did not think the prosecution would
take place. Hearing, however, some time al
ter, that the prosecution would Commence IN
Richmond went at once to that city and sa~
his legal adviser, Mr.. William II. Mcfarland,
one of the ablest men of the bar of Virginia.
Mr.. Mcfarland showed me copy OF letter
from Gen. Lee, to Gen. Grant, enclosing an
application tor a pardon which he desired Gen.
Grant to present to the President, but telling
him not to present it if any steps had been
taken for his prosecution, as he was willing to
stand the test. He wrote that he had under
stood by the terms of surrender at Appomat-
tox. that he and all his officers and men were
to be protected. That letter, am glad to
say, raised Gen. Lee higher 10 my esteem.
Gen. Grant at once replied, and he showed Q ls
reply to me. He wrote that he had seen tbo
President, and protested against any steps De
ing taken against Gen. Lee. and had informed
him that he considered his honor and the hon
or of the patton pledged to him:
The President became satisfied, and no pro.
ceedipes were ever taken. Gen. Grant trans
mitted to the President the application OF Gen.
Lee for pardon, endorsed with his most earnest
approval. No pardon was granted. lie dld
not need it here, and when he appears before G
that great tribunal before which we must oil
be called, he will fud he has 20 account to set
tle there. Great applause. No soldier who
followed Gen. Lee could have telt more etiet
and sympathy at his grave than | would, could
/ have been present upon the mourbiul occa
:sion of his burial. l lamentcd his loss as
nrivate loss, and still more as public loss. !
T..,r tbot hi, aynmpIe 1could continue m a1iey