Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-23
Mer9RhoQds,
" The Always-BuSy Store"

urid, ana together they began tbofr fr,.,
hves, equally intent upon doing ,bci-
whole duty, maintaining in spotless hon
the great name ne had won. The peo,Ia
OF virginia knew him well and conferred
upon MIN one and another dlgnlhed Dol.
.ioh' ana finally he received the hlgfss-
honor In their gift-the gubernstorl,I
chair. Here he acquitted himself as uri
as ne had in the field, and the resBect
| or MS people was reflected back agsi,
| by the people OF the North
! among his companions In arms nh,
Knew ms "0utgoings and incomings" he
was best beloved. Is there a surer ysr.
dict upon a mans sterling worth fbst
! mankind can pronounce
Some years after the war there v,,s
a grand parade here OF the gray and tba
blue on some public occasion our splsp-
did General Gordon came By Invitation
with t1tz Lee and many other Con.
iederate officers. They rode In procession
as southern men can ride. They tx.
pected silent and respectful attsnti.,
but as Gordon rode by. tall and a rart
or his horse, like a centaur COMPOSED
and grimly observant. shout after snou,
rose from the immense multitude. Tos
followed, looking cheerfully about him.
and I'm biest," said he III they aid
not cheer me, too. TO the echo Nv own
division could have done no better"
After his gubernatorial tour Of duty
had expired, and the rumblings and afro
cities of civil war in Cuba began 10
shock the world, Americans looked on
conscious Of unspoken sympathy and a
duty to shield the helpless in their bitter
conflict. 1t was too much like that from
which our ancestors OF the Colonies had
come out victorious for us 20 look on I'm
Ore
for man who would strictly observe
the rights and laws Of nations. cooly
survey and truthfully communicate the
exact facts to our government and De
chose our warrior statesman. Governor.
farmer, Fitzhugh Lee, as that man. and
when the Democratic President went cut
the Republican President ratified Mr..
Clevelands judgment and retained Lee
in office.
In this crisis Fitzhugh reminds those
who knew his family intimately by turns
Of every one OF his illustrious ancestors
who have passed successfully ia review
before their admiring countrymen.
The yellow-feyer was In full sway in
Habana. He had been used 10 the hills
and dales Of Virginia, but had no accI-
nation for the torrid climate OF Cuba.
Yet he did not give a thought 10 rs
was leaving his devoted wife and his
boys and girls just as his care was most
necessary to them.
He was sent TO Habana against the
protests Of the sectiohally premdiccI
men of the North and against the julg-
ment and wishes OF the men Of tie
South, who felt they could not spare
their political leader, and knew they
would miss him sOrely at nome, 50 that
prejudice and love might well have ham
pered him equally. He knew he would
by leaving Virginia at that time sacri-
flee probably all his political aspirations
which were then about TO be fulfilled, but
he pressed 10 the front as he did In Ais
youth.
With a heart as soft as a boys he Is
now facing, on one side, the gallant and
snraged Spanish army, whose good will
vas manifested during our bloody strug-
gle by every friendly Office their nation
'ould perform but with whom he now
seems to be losing favor by reason Of his
'dherence 10 strict impartiality, though
le fearlessly expresses his appreciltiJn
# the sufferings of these desperate ire
oncilable men Of the province who stand
and armed. needing every
hing that the flesh and human weakness
raves, anxious TO gain his ear and sure
4 his sympathy IL he will listen. while
etween the combatants lie the starving
Id men, the women and children, crush
d out as il were between the upper and
ether miilstones. Their cries FOR help
'ould distract and unhinge much less
ender-hearted man than General Lee.
nd warp his judgment grieyously II not
nth fatal consequences, 10 the result his
homes IN
-ss, he stands holding aloft his flag be-
~een contending forces. and like the
mighty man of heart" ne is patiently
eeking by every diplomatic art 10 sOOthe
lie sensitive pride OF Spain pacify the
surgent army, the depth OF whose trials
al been taught him by like sufferings,
nd all the while endeavoring 20 comfort
M feed the hapless, starving nOn-cOm-
'tants who cry 10 him for aid as they
dying on every side. Could there be
ore trying ordeal for a high-spiri,ed,
Tmpathetic man than this?
When General Lee contemplates war
Ith Spain he must see the great posi-
pm and emOluments which a state ~
ar would offer 10 him. but his most
renuous efforts have been devoted 20
e maintenance OF just and peaceful
urse regardless of self-interest and
CiahoI at Hohe-dii hOnOf 10 AlHhs
hen hear that General Lee has been
suited or threatened and borne 10
tienuy, L DO not believe &. being NOR
y sure he would be as prone 90
set the issue as his ancestor-"Light
)rse" Harry Lee-wgs when General
ashington, then ai-powerful ia the
army. sneered at him for
ing "too prudent" Il will prove that
have as little OF that rascally virtue
yourself, sir" said the proud scion OF
honorable house OF Lee In the face
their deeds during the war between
States. none will venture 10 proclaim
family has degenerated
Y IEEtsER SON nAVIS