Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-08-17
Gen. w. III. +. Lee.

10 INC cdttOf % Inc HteIuNuTt9 Gu%ette.
The notice in recent issue of your paper
of the article in the Washington Republican
was just and timely.
Whatever the writer of that article may
think what he desires ia quite obvious) w.
H. +. Lee has not yet been defeated. Such
attacks are likely to disappoint the hopes Of
all who inspire them and to secure the nom
ination of Gen. Lee in the end.
Gen. Lee is the peer of any one who has
been named for the nomination, his oppo.
nents being the judges. He is 3 man Of fine
sense, good judgment, industry, high char.
acter, and personal and moral courage. La
every position which he has been called to
fill he has done his whole duty. Whatever
others may have claimed for him, he has
not, 30 far as the writer knows, ever asked
advancement or Office because he is the son
OF Robert Il. Lee, but has always stood as
he now stands, on his personal quali(i-
cations and record. That some who have
urged his nomination have, in addition 10
their enumeration Of his PERSONAL claims,
alluded to his parentage is not strange.
Robert Z. Lees fame is world wide He is
an historical character, of whom not only
Virginians, but Americans are justly proud.
He ranks with the great captains and patri.
OTIS of the worlds history, and therefore it
is NEST natural that the friends and ad,
mirers Of the illustriou5 father should seek
to honor his worthy son. Men in all ages
and in every country have sought TO honor
those who by their deeds have endeared
themselves to their generation by honoring
their posterity. They do so in obedience to
a law of human nature, implanted in men
for wise and benelicent purposes, and it will
be sad day for humanity, when such act
ion shall be deemed unworthy. One of the
strongest motives against wrong doing is
the apprehension which wrong conduct may
have on our offspring. and if wrong doing
brings dishonor on our children, surely
great and patriotic deeds should bring them
honor. The amiable author Of the article
in the Republican attempts side issue, by
suggesting "the Lees have been paid for
their services" etc.
The Lees las he is pleased to collate them
have never asked or received the least re-
ward for any past service any one of them
may be supposed to have rendered. Not
one of them, except the present Governor of
Virginia, has occupied remunerative cleo
tive Office since the war. Robt. E. Lee re-
tired from public life Immediately after the
surrender. w. II. F. Lee, at the request of
his friends, represented his district once in
the Senate of Virginia, and Gov. Fitz. Lee
was selected as the most available candidate,
when his party was in great danger of de-
feat.
Our northern friends do not reason as
some Of us seem disposed to do. They nev-
er tire of honors and rewards to their heroes,
and no man among them has yet been found
to cavil at their course, or sheer at their
spontaneous offerings at the shrine of their
distinguished dead. In all this, let me not
he misunderstood the name of Gen. W. II.
F. Lee has not been presented for Congress
by his friends on the folsh grounds attri
buted to them, but because we all admit he
will make most useful public servant, and
is in every respect worthy Of the honor they
seek to bestoW upon him.
DEMOCRAT.