The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-08-13
A Conversation with General Lee.

A Conversation With General Lee.
A gentleman furnishes the details of
conversation, which he had with Lee Just
after Appomatox, to the Cincinnati Com
mercial, from which we make extracts.
Ttwas with thrilling interest that now be-
held this celebrated man. He seemed still
to be in the prime of life, but his magni6-
cent head was silvered; the fire of his bril-
liant eyes was in some measure dimmed;
and there we're premature marks of age on
his brow. There was dignity In his bear
ing grandeur in the movement of his head
which consciousness OF his position would
impart. At the same time, thought there
was slight expression of sadness piercing
through his smile. Perhaps he was begin
ming to see the hoilowness of the idols that
he had adored. and to experience the many
thorns that line the pillow of the leader of a
hopeless and disastrous revolution.
HIS OPINION OF LINCOLN.
conversed with him upon variety of
topics upon all of which he expressed opin-
ions. He was very positive in his convic-
tions, and seemed to have weighed every
sentence with studied care. The telegraph
wires having recently announced the news
of Lincoln's assassination, this naturally wss
the first subject of conversation. In speak
ing of the martyred president he said:
'sThe death of that eminent citizen has
filled me with horror. If there we're blem-
ishes in his character, his life exhibited some
the most extraordinary men that ever lived
in our country. His heart was grand and
large. He was constitutionally peDsive.
Had he been spared, the South would be
treated with honorable propriety and with a
gallant generosity; that good will and
ment of the people of the South"
He pronounced Booth a cowardly ruffian; -
that all. the tragic machinery of the globe,
that all the instruments OIL civil rage could
not produce SO fine demon; that the SOL
diers of the Southern army and the people
regard the murder of Lincoln, not only as q
crime against our Christian civilization and
our common humanity, but that his loss at
| this moment was terrible blow to the van
| quished, who would have to bear the re-
| sponsibility of the cruel, cold-blooded assas.
| sination; that the spirit of clemency, modera-
ton and of conciliation displayed by the
| president were virtues not to be found in
| his successor. Let the avengers arms, he
| continued to say, with eyes mostened with
tears, fall upon the guilty. Should this
be the course adopted by the authorities at
Washington their greatest victory is yet be-
/ fore them" that a more shining page in
their annals would be written, and that the
| sublimest example of magnamity and self
| government would be set.
To my question, "Do you think the rebel
lion is ended?" he replied very emphatical-
| ly: Yes sir; and had it not been for the
| politicians it would never have been COM
menced." The politicians to whom he re
ferred were Davis, Yancey, Breckenridge
| and Toombs, and others whose names he
mentioned He went on to say: 81 was
/ opposed to the war at the outset Iwept
| when / heard of the bombardment of Fort
| Sumter. i sought retirement, so that /
might not hear or see any of the political
| leaders, the great end and aim of whose
| tatesmanship was to precipitate the havoc
| that subsequently, swept their fields and
cities. Bnt when Virginia, my native State,
| seeded, there was only one course for me
to pursue-namely, to follow her fortunes" !"
HIS ESTIMATE OF WEBSTER, CLAY AND CAL
HoUN. r.ssI
The conversation now took another direc-
| ton The Confederate leader referred de-
spondingly to the Nations lack of great
statesmen. asked him his estimate of the
distinguished men whom he bad heard. and
whose eloquence had revived the grand days
of oratory. Speaking OF Webster, he said
Il never saw a more striking object than
| Webster in the Senate. The effect of his
| fine figure and his princely air when speak
ing, was like that of q livid flash IN the
| midst Of darkness. What Paganini was in
music that Webster was in oratory; the one
| charmed Europe with one string, the other
| electrified multitudes with his eloquence.
4 He once complained to me of the wrongs
done him by the reporters; but in vain the
| world would read whatever bore his honored
1 name, and the grub worms were ever ready
| to gratify the desire by fragments, or rather
caricatures Of his mighty eloquence. HIS
speeches indicate the powers of the great