Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-10-14

IN BEHALF OF WASHINGTON AND LEE
| UNIvERsITY-THE FRIENDLY RELATIONS
| BETWEEN THE NORTH AND THE SOUTH
SOUTHERN TRIBUTES TO THE MEMORY OF
| GENERAL GRANT.
! NEW YORK, September 22nd, 1885.
| Col. Asher ". Horman, Chairman Erecu-
the Committee Confederate Soldiers
| Association, Staunton. Va.:-
My DEAR COLONEL our very kind let
ter of the Sth inst, conveying to me an in
vitation to act as Chief Marshal on the oc-
casion of the reunion of Confederate Vet
Grams, on the baldwin Augusta Fair
Grounds" on 10th OF October, has been re-
ceived, and is greatly appreciated. 1t
should have received an earlier acknowledge
ment, but felt such an earnest desire to
be present, to meet and greet my fellow
soldiers on the interesting occasion, that
delayed writing, hoping that might posi-
bly, see my way clear to accept. the honor
conferred upon me by your committee.
| But, from pres ent appearances, my du-
ties will require me to be here in New York
at the date indicated in your letter, for the
reunion, and I will have to forego the
pleasure Of meeting my comrades of the
years Of trial and danger, as we'll as many
others, for whom I cherish high regard
and warm friendship.
| So am constrained, under all the cir
cumstances, to ask that you will promptly
select some one else for the position to
which you have so cordially invited me,
and the duties of which would be so pleas
ing to me. Please express, for me, to my
comrades, the sincere regret feel at not
| being able to meet with them at our second
annual reunion, and assure them that no
mere visit OF pleasure here could keep me
from meeting them at that time.
When the war was over, ard our noble
leader-General R E. Lee-had accepted
the Presidency of the college of Washing
ton-thus casting his influence in behalf of
sound learning, and devoting his energies
| to development of that venerable Insti-
tuition, which had it's origin in Augusta
county in 1749, and around which cluster
SO many historical and patritic associations,
the Trustees requested me to undertake the
work of securing better endowment.
at first declined, for I had other plans in
life But the Committee representing the
authorities Of the College, in urging the re-
quest, presented such arguments as to the
nature and Importance of the work, and so
strongly appealed to my devotion to our no.
bic chieftain, and my earnest desire to be of
service to the youth of our Southern coun-
try, that l finally yielded to their wishes,
and have ever since devoted my time and
endeavOrs to the work which then under
took.
During the year of the Centennial cele-
bration of American Independence, a num-
Der of representative men, of all parts of
the country and of both political parties,
met in Old Independence Hall, Philadel-
phia, and perfected an organization for
the "Better Endowment of the Universi-
ty of Washington and Lee. They met un-
der call over their own signatures, in
which they speak of the University as ssthe
Institution of learning endowed by George
Washington, The Father of his Country,''
and after giving brief sketch of it's early
history, they say: '.And in our times Gen.
K. E. Lee devoted the last years of hia life
to its development and improvement ,; and
further on they express their purpose to
organize movement for increasing the en-
dowment of Washington and Lee Univer,
sity, by contributions in sums convenient
to the donors, from all parts of the country,
as Centennial offerings and expressions of
good will towards this school founded by
Washington and the Revolutionary Fathers,
respect, of the great names it bears.''
This organization has already resulted in
handsome sums to the University, and pub
lie interest in its efforts is steadily growing.
So that, while am absent from home so
much Of my time, l am laboring to build
up great University of learning in our own
Valley country University that will be
broad and National in its character and
purposes and that will exert strong infiu-
ence, for all time to come, in cementing to-
getber The sections of our common country
The duties that have been committed to
me in the prosecution of this work, for the
benefit of those who are to come after us,
are now requiring all my time and thought
and effort.
have written thus fully that you, and
others of my friends whose esteem | prize
so highly, may know that my failing to be
with you on the happy occasion of the
reunion, is from no lack of interest in tie
meeting, but from sense of duty to trust
to which have devoted the best years of
my life.
The memories of the war will ever be
precious to me-recalling as they do the
skill of our leader, and the bravery, endur.
ance and true manhood of the Confederate
Soldiers: and delight in keeping alive and
STRENGTHENING the friendships that were
then formed.
trust that the re union this year may
be as pleasing success as the one .of last
year.
With kind regards and many good wish
es for you, and those associated with you,
I am, sincerely yours,
ROBT. D. LILLEY
P. Snow that the war is over, the sol
| Il e IL
tivating friendly relations, not only among
themselves, but also with those who brave
ly opposed them during the war
AT the meeting of x-Confederate SOL
diers in this city, August 9th, to take action
in regard to General Grants funeral, a
committee was appointed to take part in
the procession. We were glad to thus pay
our tIibute of respect to the remains of Gen'l
Grant on account of his generous conduct
at Appomattox, and his protection of Gen
eral Lee from arrest afterwards.
Being appointed upon the committee, /
did not hesitate to act.
Mr.. Rufus A. Ayers, our candidate for At
torney General is quiet, intelligent, in
trepid gentleman. Wise undertook, early
in the canvass, to speak of him disrespect-
fully as the s'little cartdriver' This deri-
slve sneer at poor but honest youth strug-
Cling to support his widowed mother and
dependent sisters has awakened storm of
indignation throughout the State.-Lynch-
burg Virginida.
Yes, Lt.-Gov. Lewis was right when he
wrote to Mr.. John Wise and told him che
was not fit to be Governor" And no man
is who goes about the country abusing, in
sulting, quarreling with and striking and
fighting people who disagree with him.
Why, his election would be public dis
grace to the State, and the people who
would elect him would disgrace themselves.
Alexandria Gazette.
We rejoice that, so far, this part of the
| country is uninfested by socalled indepen.
dent candidates; but it is well to keep you,
stick ready forany that may show their heads
from now until the day of election.-Char.
| Loffes3uve Chronicle