Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-06-03
COLLECTOR FITZ. LEES SPEECH
AT THE CHICAGO BANQUET.
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen The

Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen: The
country seems to be safe tonight. I
find myself surrounded on every side
by the flag of the United States. l had
similar experience about thirty years
ago Qaughter) at the little village of
Appomattox, and remember sleeping
that night, after had received my pa
role. between two major-generals of
the United States army. Continued
langhter.) 1 had not felt so safe for
many of the preceding days-both of
my flanks were well protected. Con
tinued laughter and applause.) His
tory in measure repeats itself. To-
night the Mayor Of what he terms the
greatest city in the world-it is evident
he has never been in Richmond, Va,
daughter and applausel-sits here
quietly, serenely smoking his cigar, be-
tween two rebellious rebel generals of
cavalry-Wade Hampton and Fitz
hugh Lee, and he is not d.-(Great
laughter and applause.)
| can respond to the toast with great
pleasure, because l feel that when the
right hand of fellowship is held out by
one section it is the duty of the other
section to grasp it and to hold it, and
to say that eve are both Americans
we are all citizens of this great country
and it is our duty TO promote its glory,
il grandeur, and its growth" pro.
longed applause.
Each side had cause to fight fer
and if you want to have true fellowsh p
in the country we must give you cred t
for fighting in behalf off great cause,
eallantly and nobly and heroically, and
you must give us credit for fighting for
the faith that was in it. You found and
maintained this country as an undivid-
ed republic, stretching from where the
frozen fingers are laid upon the icy
lakes of the North to where the great
father of waters rolls its tribute to the
Gulf, and from the chasing waves of the
Atlantic on the east to where the great
pillows of the Pacific break into golden
sands upon CALIFORNIA; shores. 1t was
great republic; it was great cause.
And so, my friends, our duty now is
to believe that by united action we can,
indeed, make this great country.
Englishmen, whose past battles are
recorded upon the pages of history as
evidence of their valor and endurance,
are proud of their country, whose morn
ing drumbeat follows the sun, and
whose martial strains are heard
in unbroken and continuous lines
all over the world. And so we in
America can be proud of our coun-
try; we, too, upon either side, as | say,
can build it up and make it great
and undivided republic, but we can't do
it by abusing each other. We can't do
it by firing at each other in time OF
peace; we can't do it by criticising each
others action on memorial occasions. L
know we are always glad to see your
great demonstrations in honor OF the
courage ofyour soldiers, and you should
think that when we come together for
purpose of honoring the valor OF our
soldiers, for the purpose of paying re
spect to the memory of our dead, there
is nothing sincopsistent in that with all
the duties which we owe to a great and
united country. (Applause.)
And now we eau fervently pray with
you that, as the veil offuturity is raised
YOU will see great American Union
going onward and upward; you will see
visible great republic representing
power and commanding more respect
than ever the armies of Caesar and Au.
gustus won for the imperial eagle; and
you can unite with us in praying that
State shall not lift up its hand against
State any more; neither shall they
know war again, but that the reign of
peace, unity and fraternity shall be as
lasting as the home of the stars, as
everlasting as the foundation of the
hills. loud applause.)-Chicago 1ri-
blne