Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-09-21
LEE AND WISE.

LEE AND WISE.
rRicbmond correspondence of the N. Y. World
Gen. Lee, accoutred and caparisoned in
all the glory of a gray Confederate uniform,
a black plume in his wide-brimmed hat and
curbing fiery steed, inspires crowd, as at
the last Inauguration, with great enthusi'
asm. Added to this, the very whisper OF
his magic name is as the sound of the battle
cry to an old war horse, and no crowd of
Virginia soldiers but must break out in loud
huzzas when it is spoken. In citizens dress
and he is not fastidious as to his tailor,
but as on the occasion OF General Grants
funeral, frequently appears in garments OF
strange fashion and the worse for wear
General Lee is homely, stout Virginia
farmer, plain in speech, fond of anecdote
and with loud and jovial laugh that fills
the town with breath of plantation life
and tells the club men two squares OIL
that "Fitz. Lee" has come. 1t Is in his
courtly and deferential manner to wom-
en-. whom he treats with reverent
courtesy that is particularly winning and
engaging, that he appears socially at his
best. Gen. Lee is not an orator, but even
Virginia people, who are of all people most
given over to the traditions, are beginning
to realize that this is q lost art, and one that
does not properly belong to highly civil.
lied community which has other ways of
informing itself than through the silver &C.
cents of popular speaker. His rough
clothes, his rough and ready speech, his I'M
affected interest in the county fairs, in stock
breeding, and even q country tournament,
where the pretty girls in the neighborhood
all assemble, give him popularity with the
masses which more eloquent and even
more able man would fail to excite. THE
truth is" said Virginia gentleman, sitting
on the implanted veranda attached to the
house of his eighth great-graadfather, "tltz
Lees gentleman; we all know him and
his stock; he married Virginia girl, a beau
tiful creature, Nelly Fowle; we all know her
stock; nice plantation; knows good horse
when he sees one, good soldier, and besides,
his names Lee, and we'll all go to the polls
and give him a handsome majority. No
debt question or Negroes place in equity
there"
Mr.. Wise is also gentleman of birth and
breeding, an excellent lawyer, a good friend
and the best reconteur of his day. His
handsome, bull dog, clean-shaVen face con-
trasts we'll with the fragile beauty of his
golden haired wife and his tall young sons,
by whom he is always surrounded. By a
combination of circumstances which began
as far back as '75,when his personal enemy,
Gen. Bradley II. Johnson, now of Baltimore,
then of Richmond, contested the seat in the
Virginia Senate with Mr.. VIM. c. knight,
of Richmond, Mr.. Wise bolted from his
party and became an independent. Under
that name the battle was fought long,
long time. "For hatred and an implacable
hatred,n says George Eliot, commend me
to the hatred of the blood relation When
Johnny WISE" as every man and woman
in Richmond dubbed him, went over to the
republican party through the ranks of re-
adiusterism, with Malone for leader, o
cry went up over all the land. And why
should it not have arisen? When Malone
saw that the only possible chance for the
success Of his ambition was the securing OF
the one white mans vote in ten, which,
added to the negro vote, might overcome
the rightful democratic majority, and con-
ceived the scheme Of reputation CLOSED
over under the sugary tito OF readjustment,
was it to be for one moment supposed that
men of integrity and intelligence such as
John S. Wise was thought to be, would en-
list under such banner borne by such
leader?
The Westmoreand Club, the most exclu.
siye and conservative rendezvous for gentle
men in Richmond, saw fit by blackballiDg
to intimate that Mr.. Wise was no longer
welcome in their society. Rightly then, did
the pretty house on Grace street, which had
been the scene of many a gay company. be-
come shut and silent. The Richmond Ger
man Club issued its invitations but the
names of Hon. and Mrs. John S. Wise were
absent from the list of lady and gentlemen
patrons. 1t was all society could do, but
there is nothing so relentless. 1t tabooed
the Senator from the Richmond district and
his lovely young wife. But recently areac.
ton has taken place. LET us have peace"
has glimmer of meaning even to that en-.
Iightened jury of American citizens we call
society who are for a verdict Of guilty-to a
woman, every count.
The papers rage, and here and there n
fery politician or strong partisan organ
like the Richmond Wing makes the canvass
l personal one, but it is really lacking in
bitterness.
Virginians remember Gen. Robert E. Lee,
heir chieftan and hero, and will vote the
democratic ticket and give, as the planter
"Fitz Lee" handsome major
ty.
The Base Ball Record.
The following table gives the standing to date