New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-13
LEE WASHINGTONS HERO.
AN ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION GIVEN TO
THE CONSUL-GENERAL.
GREAT CROWDS CHEER HIM WHENEVER HE AP
PEARs-HE VISITS THE STATE DEPART
MENT AND is RECEIVED BY
THE PRESIDENT

THE PRESIDENT
Washington, April 12.-Consul-General Fitz-
hugh Lee arrived here from Havana at 2:3O
o'clock this afternoon. A large crowd OF en-
thusastic admirers had gathered at the Penn
sylvania station and when the General stepped
from the train he was greeted with a tremend-
Gus outburst OF applause Women waved their
handkerchefs and men their hats. and alto
gether the demonstration notable one.
Washington crowds as a rule not demon
stratve. but this occasion a conspicuous
exception.
Long before the hour set for the arrival OF the
train the crowd began to gather. 1t completely
filed the station and Sixth-st adjacent on the
east, and extended far out into Pennsylvania
ave. The General occupied the last car In his
train, and when II was known that II had
reached the station there was tremendous rush
to look at him. BY the time he was READY 10
alight the crowd so dense about the train
that with the assistance OF platoon or
police IT was with difficulty that he reached the
platform. Several personal friends Of the Cen
eral. among them number Of women. pressed
forward and finally succeeded in grasping him
by the hand One Of the women presented TO
him a bouquet Of roses tied with red. white and
blue ribbons and bearing Il tiny Confederate
battle-nag Immediately the crowd began to
ed him as he walked slowly and uncovered down
the long platform Of the station. on reaching the
B-st entrance General Lee entered State De-
partment carriage and rapidly driven to the
! Department.
The General had not perceptlbly changed In
appearance since he vas last In Washington
His eye was as bright and his step as elastic as
ever and nothing In his manner indicated that
there had been anything unusual in his expert
ence. How long he will remain in Washington
Is not known. but It is assumed that he VIII
make his wishes conform 70 those OF the Pres-
dent as to the length Of his stay.
AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT
News that General Lee was his way to the
State Department spread rapidly and when the
carriage drew up at the south front OF the build
ing big crowd was assembled on the portico.
a rousng cheer went up az General Lee stepped
from the vehicle and. bowing right and left'
hurried into the building. The cheers had IN
| formed the clerks and other employees In the
big building Of his coming. and there was wild
/ rush for the State Department corridor Clerks
left their desks without leave. officers or the
Army and Navy Joined the rush. and for the
time being the discipline Of the building was re-
laxed The crowd lined up in front OF the ele-
vator shaft leaving a lane from the door 70 the
| Secretary's office.
As the elevator stopped and the Consul-Gen-
| eral emerged a scene Unprecedented In the his
tory Of the great building occurred. Hat In
hand General Lee passed into the corridor and
some one said Now. boys" and three rousine
cheers went echolng down the long halls. Their
there was another outburst. and people poured
forth from every room. The cheering caused
great excitement. and 1t was some time before
| auiet could he restored. General Lee bowed &c
| the crowd and as he reached the door OF Secre-
| tary Shermans office turned and bowed again
Then the door closed on him and the throng
| dispersed
! After a few minutes the Consul-Genera
emerged. accompanied by Secretary Sherman
and Assistant Secretary Day. The three entered
a carriage and were quickly driven TO the White
House. General Lee getting another enthusiastic
reception on his way
At the White House the party was shown al
once 10 the library where the President gave a
hearty reception to the Consul General. The
only persons present at the meeting were the
President Secretary Sherman Assistant Secre'
tarv Day and General Lee. Secretary Sherman
remained with the others for about half an hour
and then returned 70 the state Department. AZ
ter being with the President fully an hour. Judge
Day and General Lee took their departure
the latter going 10 his hotel An immense
crowd augmented by a number Of women who
attended Mrs McKlnley's reception was on the
portico when the two came downstairs, and Gen
eral Lee was loudly cheered once more. As
their carriage was driven away some one fast
ened Cuban flag to the front OF the vehicle
and this was the cause OF additional enthusiasm