The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-04
GENERAL LoNGsTREET.
His Divorce from BOurbOnism FOrgiv-
en- by His Observation-Disclosures.
Obica oo Tim Herald

Chicago Times-Herald.
Two heroes of the South figured in his
tory again on Friday last, when President
Mckinley appointed Gen. James Longstreet
to succeed Gen. Wade Hampton as commits
sioner of railroads. The position is almost
per annum. Attached to this is an allow
ance for expenses that will keep a man in
cigars The office of the commissioner is
in Washington, and the commissioner is ex-
pected to be in 1t once or twice year.
When the weather is pleasant and Congress
Is to meet in few weeks ne is exn S;a ITO TO
government has partial supervision. Wade
Hampton was appointed to the position by
President Cleveland very soon. after the
crippled Confederate from South Carolina
was defeated for the Senate. His term OF
Office has extended over period OF four
but was voluntarily given. 1t is the desire
of the retiring commissioner to return to
his home and there spend his declining
political positions. 1t is said by some that
he will be candidate for his old seat in
the Senate next year, but this is improb-
able Even If he were such his chances
of election would be small. Hampton is u
gold Democrat. Tillman lives in South
Carolina and comes pretty near debating
as to who her public servants shall be. And
he doesn't like Hampton.
1t will be remembered that General Long
street married the state librarian of Georgia
in August He spent few days among
his fig trees and vineyards at his home IN
Gainesville. But the surroundings there did
down among the waving palms and cling
ing moss where mocking birds sing far into
the night and where there are no hills TO
obscure the sight of the sea, went he and
his bride. 1t is said that he gained much
in flesh and that he appears as fresh and as
strong as when he fought by the side of
Grant and in front of Santa Anna in Mex
ico more than half century ago. His age
is now seventy-six years. His figure Is
slightly stopped. but his eye is bright and
his speech is strong. He courted his present
wife just as the youth does his sweetheart.
He plays the guitar and can sing. He loves
poetry, and long were the passages read
to the Georgia maid Around Atlanta the
drives are smooth and pretty. Shining lights
led the way to ice-cream saloons, and he
knew his business. He was a lover and.
as the boys would say these days "he won
out" And then the next thing he knew was
that the President had given him a position
sought by many but deserved by few. Long
street was one of the Few.
His appointment to a federal position this
time will not bring about the harsh crit
has long since forgiven his divorce from
bourbonism. His neighbors now look upon
him and speak of him with kindness. He
is no longer Stunned by society and reviled
by his former friends But who can forget
the remorseless attacks made upon him
and his character q few years ago But
he bore it. Occasionally he would reply to
sions were few. He rather passed them by
in silence In a letter written to news
paper man in New Orleans ten years ago
he said that he waited for time He knew
that reason would again take the place of
passion of the South. His course had been
right. He had no apologies to make. and
tended reunion of Confederates at New
Orleans. Courtesy on the part of the ex-
Confederates demanded that he be invited,
and he was. They did not expect his ac-
the meeting when a carriage drove up to
the hall entrance. and the grizzled veteran