The morning times., 1896-11-18
.F|Tz lee TO GUIDE THEM.
He Is Expected to Unite Vir-
ginia Democratic Factions.
CAMPAIGN Is PLANNED
As a GubernatOrial Candidate
Lenders Believe He Would Stem
the Growing Republican Tide.
VIII Resign the Havana Consui-
ship When the Time Comes.

Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, at present consul
general of the United States at Havana,
Will in all probability be the next candi-
date of the Democratic party for governor
of Virginia.
The great split in the party organi2a-
tioI. ir that State has left but one proll'
nent figure that by circumstances practl-
ca!ly beyond his control could take no
part in the recent fight and is, therefore
not identified with either OF the warning
factions That figure is the ex-governor
and present consul, who represents IN his
person and position that combination CT
family and political prestige that is char
ac,eiistic of the old line Democracy or
the South, and especially OF Virginia
II is said by those who are closely CON
nected by friendship and kinship with
Gen. Lee that il Is his ambition to unite
his now scattered party and rally them
for the -ubernatorial contest of 1897.
The personal popularity Of Gen. Lee
is factor not to he underrated Those
who remember the memorable campaign
between him and John S. Wise, one OF
the strongest politicians and most riJ-
quent speakers in the country, with al
the influence of his father, the great
Gov Wise of John Brown days and fame,
will recall the wonderful enthusiasm that
was aroused throughout the Old Dominion
when FitZ Lee made his cavalry canvass"
of the State. As he preceded from town
to town discussing the issues OF the cam
paigA with Wise, thousands OF horseInen
joined him and the procession became 4
triumphal march, led by the candidate.
TO CHECK THE TIDE.
Since the great fight in Virginia over
the readluStment of the State debt, and
the detection of a host of Democrats OF
force and prominence vino followed Mahonc
and Riddlcberger into the Republican, party,
the Democratic majortics have been stead
lily decreasing. 1t is only when the magic
of some old historic name or the influence
OF some great personal popularity Is brought
To bear that the Democrats are at all sure
of the State.
Now with the party further rent by the
disScisionS inicrIpctcd by this campaign,
the leaders of the State Democracy see
defeat staring them in the face unless the
party can be reunited before ls3S. Will
the bitterness and heartburiing Row cN
istent the task of bringing all elements
together round any one who took part III
the campaign Just closed would be Il hope
less one Some outsider. some one wht
did not take sides nor III any way identify
| himself with either faction is the only pos
Sible leader in the next contest
In looking the field over Lees namt
naturally suggested itself TO the Demo
cratic leaders. He is perhaps the most
popular personality in the state, and not
, only took no part in the canvass, but was
actually out of the country during the time
of strife.
Ii is limited among his familiar friends
that Gen. Lee much desired 10 return To the
United States during the summer and On
gage in the sound money campaign. sum
mer is an uncomfortable season TO spent
in Havana, and the consul general was
known To he in sympathy with the gold
standard Democrats in his state.
Is ALREADY CLAIMED.
1t was only after the most urgent advic.
| OF his friends, who contemplated the yer!
| exigency that has actually arisen, that h
| determined to spend the summer far from
| the madding crowd OF political warfare.
| Ii is likely that he VIII not resign his of
| fetal position in Havana, hut will wal
| the inevitable change that Will come witt
McKinley's administration. After his re
| turn 10 Virginia next summer he Will de
| vote his time to reOrganizing the party u,
| lines that viii let every Democrat into tn,
| fold. The factional fight will he relecatet
| 10 the back ground, and the watchword viii
| be Lee and the old-tmc ma jority.'
Whether this can be done depends en-
| tirely on the silver standard people in Vir
| cinid, 10 whom defeat has brought all tn,
| soreness incident upon failure and til,
| bitterness that comes from knowledge Tha
| faiure was the resIltof boiling or '.treach
cry,'' as they denominate it. If any
thing can placate them the leaders agre,
| ii will he Lees name
STILL ANOTHER SCHEME.
| While this is the current talk among tn
| men ut the head of Virginia Demucrac
there is another, although contradictory
| runner afloat.
| it's that If Gen Lee gives up the Havana
consulShip he will do voluntarily.
is believed that If the Cuban question /
handed over to Mr.. Mckinley by Mr.
Cleveland as a legacy, much as the latte
| received the Hawaiian mess from Mr.. Har
rison, he will desire Gen. Lee to remain
nj least until the situation has cleared i
| possible war clouds 1t is argued that
new ran would be greatly at disad
vantage, and an additional re ason for Ger
Lees retention is given in the fact tina
| he has served hut brief portion of tn
usual consular term Of four years, havn
been appointed to succeed Mr.. Ramo
| Williams who resigned last summer