Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-02-24
Alexandra Gazette
Letter from General Lee.

We are indebted to General Maury for the
following letter, written to him BY Gen Lee,
and never before made public Now that this
great and good man has been taken from his
people, it will afford them pleasure to know
that in the darkest hour of their adverslty his
heart beat warmly in their behalf, and that, ex-
cluded rs he was by the dominant power from
taking any active part iii the, rehabilitation OF
the South, he still took a deep interest in the
present and future welfare OF those whose
cause he 80 long, so ably, and so heroically sus-
tanned on the tented field. .-Bamerofth the South.
LEXINGTON, Va, May %, 1867
Ny Dear General, i was very glad to hear
from your letter Of last month the prosperous
condition Of the Southern Hospital Association,
and the relief that has already been afforded to
disabled and needy men. | trust that US our
political troubles are reconciled, and business
becomes re established and extended in the
South, that the sufferings Of all may be relieved
feel assured that, under the present manage
ment Of the association, all will be done that
can be done, and those who are deyoting their
time and energies to this praiseworthy work
will receive from posterity, as well as from the
present generation, the thanks which are due.
Asregards the course Virginia may take under
the recent laws of Congress- to which you refer,
it is difficult to see what may eventually be the
best | think though it is plain in the execu-
tion of the laws that convention will be called,
and State Constitution formed The question,
then, is, Shall the members of the convention be
selected from the best available men in the
State, or from the worst? Shall the machine
ry of the State government be arranged and
set in motion by the former or by the latter?
In this view of the case, [ think it is the duty
of all citizens not disfranchised to qualify them
selves to vote, attend the polls, and elect the
best men in their power Judge Underwood,
Messrs. Bolts, Hunnicut, &C., would be we'll
pleased, presume, if the business were left to
them and the negroes But | do not think
this course would be either for the interest of
the State or country When the convention
assemblies it will be for them to determine
what, under the circumstances Of the case, it
will be best for the people to do, and their de-
cision should be submitted to by ALL as the de-
cision of the State. 1 look upon the southern
people as acting under compulsion, not of their
the best interests of their States as far as may
be in their power to do. G-
hope that all our friends in New Orleans
may do well, and that each may succeed in the
business which they have undertaken. Every
man must now look closely to his own affairs
and depend upon his own good sense and judg-
ment to push them onward, We have but lit
tie to do. with general politics. We cannot con-
troll them, but by united efforts, harmony, pru-
dence, and wisdom, We may shape and regulate
our domestic policy. ..
Please present my kindest regards to Gen
erals Beauregard, Longstreet Hood, Buckner,
and all friends. Wishing you every happiness,
| am truly yours,
Signed K. +. LEE.
To Gen. d. H. Mawy"