Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-08-13
Alefau0rla @azette
MONDAY EVENING, AUGUST 13.
Gen. FItZhugh Lee.

Gen. Fitzhugh Lee.
Iu presenting the name of Gen. Fitzhugt
Lee to the Conservative State Convention, Gen
VIM. H. Payne, of Warreuton, said:
Mr.. Chairman | am Informed that reso
luton was passed yesterday requiring each can
didate for the sufrages Of this body to bt
pledged by his friends TO abide it's action
Speaking for the friend whom | represent, foI
ny people and myself, | desire to say: that tht
resolution meets our hearty approval. We are
in our fathers house and mean to stay.
In presenting another aspirant for your ia
vor, am inspired by no envious rivalry to-
wards other candidates, but rather rel joice tha
our beloved mother, widowed and bereaYed q:
she is, has so many worthy sors spared from
her great desolatiou.
There arc lands upon which nature has Law
ished apparently greater blessings. In the
tccming Valley of the Mississippi the goddess
of Abundance seems to have taken up her
abode; upon our Pacific coast with richest hand
has been showered barbario pearl and gold.
But the sccptre which was once bestowed upon
Virginia has not departed, aud she is now, as
che has ever been the rugged nurse land,
whose crops are men. In proof of her contin.
ucd fertility u this respect all parts of our State
arc here, each vieug with the other in pressing
some wcll-beloved son upon our favor. The
beautiful aud historic Valley, upon whose hoof.
beaten bosom red battle has so deeply stamped
his foot and made it famous forever, pleads
with all tho mute and touching eloquence of an
empty sleeve. Lynchburg, shouldering his
crutch. comes proudly leading our young
Ascanius, with whose future SO many bright
propheses and brighter hopes are bound. The
men from tho sea shore, the true Old Domin-
ion, arc here with worthy descendant OF the
ancient cavaliers, boasting that Old Virginia
never tires
Petersburg, which has been lying like a
Iucnahed volcano, rouses from her ashes, and
putting a tongue in her poor dumb Wounds
utters name linked with hers forever
Last, but by 40 means least, the land OF
mountain and stream is hero with her ever loyal
son, who stood during the recent Congress,
whilst the great shame of the nation was being
cousnmmated. like stone wall, unterri6ed,
whilst brave men were whispering with white
lips and ambitious ones were Matching treason.
But whilst ain ready TO accord to the repre-
sanatives Of these sections the merit ascribed
To them, there is one man far closer to the
hearts OF my people.-one name far dearer 10
Us than any yet uttered-a name which should
be MS inspiring to all who have sprung from
firginia's wcinb, as the shout Of Achilles from
The ramparts lu presenting Gen. Lee to this
convention AZ candidate, invite omparison
With the highest name which is now or may
hereafter be before it.
As soldier be uan stand uubouaetted to as
proud claim as the most enthusiastic friend
ship dsres assert for others. From boyhood
The steel and iinty couch Of war
Hss baen his thrice.drVen bed Of down."
And when the storm rose over this desoatcd
State. although in the possession of honorable
rank 10 the United States army, 10 the enjoy
ment of the ease Of professors 8 chair at West
Point; although beset by temptation from q
people eager to gild wicked cause with high
name; although We had noueht 10 offer in eX.
change for these things but plague, pestilence
and famine, battle. murder and sudden death
without pausing in his choice he cast aside rank
and wealth and ease, and fast and far he rode
to share war sliercest pcrils and drok afliction'
bittercst cup with us.
From the rising Of tho sun at Manassas even
untothe going down ofthe same at tAppomattox,
his place in every picture was near the flashing
of the guns.
For four years his life was q battle and q
march, aud never ending, restless, he drove
across this war.couvulsed land.
lie was like the knights Of Branksome Hall
"Who always wore their armor bright
During tho day and through the night;
Who carved at their meals
In gloves CT steel,
And drank red vino through the helmet bar
red"
When the shattered remnant Of the Army OF
Northcru Virginia-''the goodliest fellowship
of famous men whereof this world holds record
since the round table was broken, and its knights
were dispersed-was dragging its slow length 10
Appomattox, the post of honor, tho post ever
assigned TO the bravest of the brave, was allot'
ted by our great hero to Fitz Lee, and here,
upon this hoOr arc living witnesses to the hde.
ity and skill with which be discharged his peril.
Gus task. There are men here who can tell
how he comforted the weak hearted how be
lifted up such as did fall, and strengthened
such as did staud in his gallant effort to beat
down Satan beneath our feet.
Aud when the curtain fell at Appomattoz
upon the last act Of splendid tragedy; when
the flags wero all furcd, and the war drums
ceased 10 ;hrob along the broken line, under
the leadership Of the gallant Gordon, he illumi
mated that dark hour by o1e reckless act oil
SplcDulu calVGlry, Wnlcn 60OIucu us august
and etfaced its shame. The flag Of truce had en-.
tered the Confederate line, and passing dowr
the ranks was qucpching the firing as it came.
The men in wrath were breaking their muskets
or in tears were parting the old battle flags
amongst themselves. Turning their backs up
on the approaching messenger, as Nelson turn
cd his dead eye upon the retreat signals at Go
pcnhagcn, they rushed down upon still spite
lul battery Of tho enemy and swept it from th
field. The messenger Of peace found then
standing over their conquered spoil. The woap
ons they surrendered that day were those the
had Just wrenched from the euemy-
1T was not War, but it was splendid,
Az dream q old romance"
1t is not always n mortals 10 oommaGl sue
| cess, but it is ever 10 the power OF brave mel
to sell victory SO dearly that the coDquerer dare
! not boast of bis success. | rtjolee that ther,
| were men who at snch az hour we're filled Will
such thoughts. honor the men who coul'
coin such thoughts into deed Of danger.
But it is not alone as soldier that l com
mend General lee TO your favor. have ad
verted 10 his career 10 remind you OF debt