The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-04-16
LEE IN WASHINGTON,
Unprecedented Demonstration in
Honor of the Consul General to
Cuba


Fitzhugh Lee arrived here from Havana at
$50 clock this afternoon. large crowd
of enthusiastic admirers had gathered at the
PENNSYLVANIA station and when the General
stepped from the train he was greeted with
tremendous outburst of applause. Women
waved their handkerchiefs and men tossed up
their hats and altogether the demonstration
was Il notable one Washington crowds as Il
rule are not demonstrative, but this occasion
was 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 street
adjacent on the east and extended far out
into PENNSYLVANIA avenue. The General Oc
cupied the last car in his train, and when it
was known that it had reached the station
there was a rush to get a look at him. BY
the time he was ready to alight the crowd
was so dense about the train that even with
the assistance of platoon of police it was
with difficulty he reached the platform.
TIE SCENE AT THE STATION.
Several personal friends of the General,
among them number of ladies, pressed for
ward and finally succeeded in grasping him
by the hand. One Of the ladies presented
HIM bouquet of roses tied together by RIB
bon of the national cOlorS and bearing tiny
Confederate battle flag. Immediately the
of applause greeted him as he walked slowly
and uncovered down the long platform of the
station. On reaching the B street entrance
General Lee entered Il State Department
carriage and was rapidly driven up the avenue
to the State Department.
OVATION At THE STATE DEPARTMENT.
News that General Lee was on his way to
the State Department spread rapidly, and
when the carriage drew up at the south front
of the building IL big crowd was assembled on
the porticO. rousing cheer went up as
General Lee stepped from the vehicle, and.
bowling right and left. hurried into the build
ing. The cheers had appraised the clerks and
other employees Of the big building of his com
ing and there was Il wild rush for the State
Department corridor.
Clerks left their desks without leave. OIL
GERS of the army and navy joined the rush,
and for the time being the disci pline of the
building was relaxed. The crowd lined up
in front Of the elevator shaft, leaving Il lane
from the door of the Secretary Office.
As the elevator came to II stop and the
consul general stepped out Il scene occurred
unprecedented in the history of the great
building. Hat in hand. General Lee passed
into the corridor and some one said, "Now,
boys = and three r0nSiug cheers Went echo
ing down the Ion" halls. Then there was
another eutburs and people poured forth
from every room. The cheering caused in
tense excitement and ii was some minutes
before quiet could he restored. General Lee
bowed to The crowd. and as he reached the
door of Secretary Sherman's office turned
and bowed again. Then the door closed on
him aud the throng dispersed.
WENT TO THE WHITE HOUSE.
After Il few minutes the Consul General
emerged. accompanied by Secretary Sher-
man and Assistant Secretary Day. The trio
entered a carriage and were quickly driven to
the White House, General Lee getting another
ovation on his way over. Mrs. Lee did not
come to Washington with the General. leav
inc the train at Quantico.
At the White House the party was shown
at once to the library, where the Chief Exec
utivc accorded hearty reception to the Con-
>ul-General. The only persons present at
the meeting were the President Secretary
Sherman. Assistant Secretary Day and Gen
eral Lee Secretary Sherman remained with
the others for about half an hour and then
returned to the State Department. After be-
inc with the President fully an hour, Judge
Day and General Lee took their departure,
the latter going to his hotel.
An immense crowd augmented by num-
Der of ladies who attended Mrs. Mckinleys
reception. was on the portico when the two
came downstairs. and General Lee was given
Il tremendous ovation. As their carriage was
being driven away some one fastened Il Cuban
flag to the front of the vehicle, and this was
the cause of additional enthusiasm.
SERENADED At THE SHOREHAM.
General Lee was given serenade tonight
by the Scventy-frst Regiment Band, of New
York. and the Marine Band. For several
hours before the train bearing the New York
band arrived the streets were crowded with
people and when the two bands swept up
Pennsylvania avenue. followed by the mem
bers of the Confederate Veterans Association
and the MON Veterans Leg ion, the crowd
fell in behind until II procession that filled
the avenue from one side to the other was
formed. 1t halted at the Shoreham, where
General Lee appeared on Il balcony draped
with the American flag.
While the band played the ''Star-Spangled
Banner and other national airs, the people
shouted for Lee and in n few moments he
waved his hand for silence.
Il wish to introduce the man who is at
present first in war, first in peace and first in
craftsmanship" said Col. Robert I. Fleming,
president of the Union Veterans Legion.
BRIEF AND PATRIOTIC.
General Lee said:
1T is almost impossible for me, after the
many speeches | have made in the past two
days, to make myself heard in all parts of
this vast throng. | am profoundly touched
ut this great demonstration ut my humble
presence in the capital of the United States.
am filled with admiration and application.
have done nothing to deserve this.
Il have simply discharged my duty as the
representative OF the American nation in a
foreign country. | can imagine no higher
compliment Il representative of the United
States could receive than this splendid in
dorsement of my official course. If we have
war in few days or in II few years the only
division there will be will be to see which
section can carry the flag the tarthest and
into the thickest of the battle