The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-02-21
YitItn,o1rd 1ispatfh.
n,-rsn,v FEBRUARY q. 1871.
$3.50. from General Zee.
,,,u, ,be asnner nf the South and Planters :

$780,, -be sxnner nf the south and. fianeerS'
lef''' '' Journsl1
We are indebted to General Maury for
the following letter, written to him by ten.
Lee. and never before made public. Now
that this great and good man has been TAKEN
from his people, il win afford them pieas,uie
to know that in the darkest hour OF then
adyrrsity his heart beat warmly IN theii
behaIf. and that, excluded as he was by !nc
dominant power from taking any ae''se
pert in the rehabilitation oil the SOUTH ~
Still took deep interest m inc pressns s "n sn
future welfare of those wnose eI sustained
long. so ably, and so heloic"ii!
on the tented field:
.LrxrNGroN. VA, May 70, 1861.
NV Dear General, Il was very giao W
boar from your letter of last month tne
prosperous condition Of the southern los
i,it,l Association, and the relief that mas
aIready heen afforded to disabled and needy
men. trust that as our political TROUBLES
are reconciled. and business becomes re.
established and extended in the South. tlat
the sufferings Of all may be relieved. 4 leei
assured that, under the present manage
ment of the ASSOCIATION, all will be done
that can be done, and those who are de-
voting their time and energies to this praise
worthy work will receive from posterity, as
we'll as from the present generation, the
thanks which are due.
AS regards the course Virginia may take
under the recent laws Of Congress-, 10
which you refer. it is difficult to see what
NAV eventually be the best. think, Trough
it is plain in the execution OF the laws, that
q convention will be called, and L State
Constitution formed. The question, tnen'
is, Shall the members Of the convention oe
selected from the best available men IN the
State, or from the worst: Shall the ma
chinery of the State government be arranged
and set in motion by the former or by the
latter? In this view of the case, think l,
is The duty of all citizens not dlStrancbiSed
to qualify themselves TO vote, attend the
polls, and elect the best men in their power
Judge Underwood, MeSsrs. Bolts. Hun
nicut, &C.. would be well pleased, pre-.
sumo. if the business were left to them an(
the negroes. But do not think this course
would be either for the interest OF the State
or country. When the convention assem-
bles it will be for them to determine what
under the circumstances Of the case. it vii
be best for the people to do, and their de
cision should be submitted to by all. as TN
decision Of the State. l look upon tn!
southern people as acting under compul
sion, not OF their free choice, and that 1t L
their duty to consult the best interests o
their States as far as may be In their power
to do.
hone that nil our friends in New Orlean:
NAV do we'll, and that each may succeed Ii
the business which they have undertaken
Every man must now look closely to his owl
affairs and depend upon his own good sem
and judgment to push them onward. w
have but little to do WITH general politics. "
cannot control them, but by united efforts
harmony, prudence, and wisdom, we ma!
shape and regulate our domestic policy.
Please present my kindeSt regards to Gen
erals Beauregard, Loncstreet, Hood, Buck
ner, and all friends. Wishing you every
happiness. am truly yours,
[Signed] K. E. LEE.
To Con. d. II. lMdury."