Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-05-01
Letter from Gen. Fitzhugh Lee.

Letter IrOul OcH. EleLhush AeCs
The following letter has been received by
by Gen. Bartlett, Of this city, formerly of
Massachusetts, who was mpllmented with
serenade Wednesday night by ex Coincide
rates RICH Whig
RIcuLAND, STAFFORD Co, Va,
April u, 1875. }
General W. F. Bartlett:
My DEAR SIR: -Iu common with many
other ex-Coutederatc soldiers, with untelgned
pleasure | have read the remarks recently
made by you at the Lexington Concord cele'
bration.
Just such soldicrIy sentiments, generously
felt aud expressed, will do moro 10 bret
space of tune towards restoring good feeling,
fraternity and fciio wship between the two sec
tious of comuIou country ttan all the recon-
structiou ecqueuce Of political partlsaus de.
livered during these past ten years--a period
which you so truly say should have been sub
libertate quletano.
Your words in rcfercpcc to Federal soldiers
are equally applicable to the Confederate SOL
diers, for they two ''have prejudice In favor
Of peace, and | fully agree with YOU that
between the soldiers of the Two great sections
Of our great country traterna Relations were
established long agu," aud we feel that it such
felictous companionskip of sentiment could
have found resting place IN the hearts OF
other classes Of people, the rehabilitation oil
the South would long since have been assured.
Its speedy redemption from poverty and desc
ation would have followed, and oucc more, as
In years ago the North would have had the &C
tive corporation of the South III working out
glorious destiny for the Republic
The science of government has been but little
understood by those who, holding the relns OF
power since he war, have sacrificed publlc,pros
perity to maintain party supremacy
By carefully fostering The "meaner men Tor
whom power /, Gay !! synonym for plum
Il e." because having abandoned principle
..r cxpedieucy they cju!d be added to party
strength.
By counsclling harsh measures towards pros
trate cilzeus TO grallly al unworthy Vengeance;
by refusing to listen to the voice of an lmpoV-
erished people, accepting the result OF trial
of arms, and asking to resume condition OF
peace and subordinatiou to the laws, our rulers
have retarded the material progress OF all
sections of the country and al! classes OF Its
citizens.
As in the human body the unsounduess or
decay of limb will 10 time extend to and cor
respondiDgly affect the whole person, so must
the political body be touched aud moved by the
condition of its component parts.
Therefore, when we hear such utteranceS
fall from the lips of one who so braveIy bore
himself as Federal soldier, We begin to look
forward with new hope and confidence to the
day when the American flag, which now floats
over the blue and the gray, shall IN truth be
embazoned with the emblem, Peace Oh earth,
good will to men.
Then, indeed, will frateroal feeling be every.
where restored then, indeed, will trade and
commerce be revived between all portions OF
the country then, indeed, will there exist 10
the hearts of the people that more perfect
union which the founders Of the Republic 10
tended, aud to which we, the descendants, now
renew an affectionate allegiance.
With high respect, | have the honor to be,
your obedieut servant,
FlTZuUGu LEE.