Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1898-03-30

ROYAL hAkluo povooa co., ~ yo~.
cestofs who have passed successfully
in review before their admiring country.
men.
The yellow fever was in full sway in
Havana. He had been used 10 the
hills and dales of Virginia, but had no
scclimaton for the torrid climate OF
Cuba. Yet he did not give thought
to his personal exposure. The thorn
in his side was leaving his devoted wife
and his boys and girls just as his care
was most necessary to them.
He was sent TO havana against tho
pr otests Of the ssetionally preiudiced
men Of the North and against the judg-
ment and wishes Of the men of the
South, who felt they could not spare
their political leader, and knew they
would miss him sorsly ct home, 10 that
prejudice and love might we'll have
hampsred him equally. he knew he
would, by leaving Virginia at thsstime,
sacrifice probably oil his political aspha-
tons, which were then about to be
fulfilled, but he pressed to the front as
be did in his youth.
With heart as soft - boys he is
now facing, on one side. the gallant
and enraged Spanish army. whose
good will was manifested during our
bloody strus gle by every friendly Office
their nation could perform. bat with
whom he now seems to be losing favor
by reason Of his adherence 10 strict
impartiality. though he fesr'essly sx-
presses bis appreciation Of the suffering
Of these desperate, irreconeilsbls msn
of the province who stand half-clothed
and armed, needing everything that
the flesh and human wealress Graves,
snxious to gain his ear, and sure OF
his sympathy il he will listen, while
between tho combatants lie The starv-
ing old men, the WON en-. and children
crushed out IS it were between the
upper and neither milstopes. Their
cries for help would distract and un.
hinge much less tender-hearted man
thsuGeneral Lee, and warp his judy
ment grievously, if not with fatal con-
sequences, TO the result his government
hopes to achieve. Nevertheless, he
stands holding aloft his flag between
contsnding forces, and like the mighty
man Of heart" he is patiently seeking
by every diplomatic art to sOoths the
sensitive pride Of Spain, pacify the
insurgent army, the depth OF whose
trials had been taught him by Like
suferings, and all the while endeavor'
ing to comfort and feed tho haplsss,
starving non.combatants who cry to
him for aide they lie dying on every
side. Could there be more trying
ordeal for high.spirited, sympathetic
man than thisf
When General Lee contemplates
war with Spain he must see the CREST
position and smoluments which . state
Of war would oisx, 10 him, but his most
strenuous efforts have been devoted 70
the maintenance Of just and peaceful
course regardless Of sslf.intere't and
the clamor ct home-all honor 70 him'
When I hear that General Lee has been
| insulted or threatened and borne it
patiently, do not believe it. being
morally sure he would be ss prone to
meet tho issue as his sncestor-"Light
Horse" Harry Lse-was when General
Washington, then sll-powsrful in tho
Continental army. snesssd 1at him for
being 'stoo prudent" II viii prove that
/ have as little Of that rascally virtue
as yourself. sir," ssid tho proud scion
of the honorable house Of Lee. 10 the
face Of their deeds during the war be-
tween tie States, none viii venture TO
proclaim the family has dsgcnsratsd.
Y. JEFFERSON DAVIS.