Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-04-27
GOV. rIrznuau LEES TRIBUTE.
why He Cannot Attend the Dinner
TO Celebrate General Grants
Rirfhoay.
New York wOsldl

The following is the letter written by
General Fitzhugh Lee, of Virginia, TO
General Coils, of this city, IN reply to
an invitation to represent at the banquet
TO be held at Delmonico's tomorrow
evening in celebration Of the birthday
Of General U. $. Grant:
Nv Dear Sir: l am requested to adj
dress to you my response to an invitation
from General W. Z. Sherman to attend,
in New York city, on the 9th instant,
banquet TO celebrate the birthday OF
General U. S. Grant
Before receiving the letter OF General
Sherman / had accepted an invitation
TO be present on the 18th and 18th IN
slant at an important meeting to be
held in Western North Carolina in the
interest of immigration TO the southern
States. 1t will not therefore be possible
for me to be in New York on the 9th
instant and give, so far as my presence
can. nv answer TO the spirit which
prompted the invitation.
AS a citizen OF the United States who
was once a soldier in the army which
fought against the army commanded by
General Grant, may be permitted to
add that the close of military operations
in TINS State terminated the career OF the
commander whose military renown was
Justly morited ? IL is impossible for an
officer surrounded by political and pro-
fessional jealousies to ascend from the
lowest 10 the highest round OF the mill
tary ladder in great war unless he Is n
great soldier.
When he was called TO the command
of the armies OF the United States in
virginia he understood the military pro-
blem as it then existed and saw with un-
errine eve that the close, hard, and con
slant hurllng of his army against the
army opposed to him must ultimately
bring victory to the standard OF the or
ganization whose numbers and resources
were the greatest.
From May I, 1864, TO April 8, 1863,
from the waters of the Rappahannock to
the hills of the Appomattox, the policy
laid down was steadily pursued, and the
problem solved in accordance with his
original calculation, though inch by inch
his route was disputed by troops whose
valor the victorious North should be the
last TO deny.
The surrender Of the southern army
was asked for by General Grant to pre-
vent ANY further efusion Of blood,
10 which General Lee replied, 1.-The
restoration of peace should be the sole
object OF all.
After that We heard of General Grants
saving: "Let us have peace" while
General Lee wrote as early as August.
1865. that lit WAS the duty OF every
citizen in the present condition of the
country to do all in his power to aid IN
the restoration Of peace and harmony,
and in no way to oppose the policy OF
the State or General Government
directed to that object.
Ii the survivors of opposing armies OF
the past will follow the precepts thus
taught by their respective commanders,
the prosperous future OF an undivided
republic We should be equally interested
IN will be assured.
81 feel, said the dying soldier. who
now sleeps his last sleep At Riverside,
." that we are on the eve of new era,
when there is to be great harmony be-
tween the Federals and Confederates. |
cannot stay to be living witness of the
correctness OF this prophecy. but | feel
within me that it is to be so.
Let us hope that the last prediction OF
General Grant will be fulfilled.