The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-05-04
THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1905.
Dust to Dust.

This is a notable day in the history OF
richmond. We give back to earth tho
dust of Fitzhugh Lee and representa-
3 tives OF the Federal government, the
State government and tho city govern
ment; representatives of civic and nils
tary organizations, and individual citl-
gems from all parts OF the land, will meet
here on the sad occasion to pay tribute
to the man whom, In life, the whole
nation honorcd. 1t will be the most dis
ttnctively national event in the history
& of Richmond since the war. We have
had notable funerals: we have buried DIS
tinguished Confederates with becoming
ceremony, but General Lee was more
than a distinguished Confederate. He had
served 5the nation In war and he had
won well deserved fame as q diplomat
. For these reasons Fitzhugh Lee occupied
a unique position In the United States
There are famous Confederates; there
are famous Grand Army men; there are
4 famous diplomats and civilians; but no
man in the United States had 50 dlstin-4
guished himself as Confederate officer.
as ofIlce Of the United States army, as
diplomat and civilian. as General Lee
! had done He was not only universally
admired; he was universally beloved be-
cause he was gentle and sweet
tempered and warm-hearted thor
,oughly good and lovable man, rs well as
an all-ro,lnd. patriotic citizen.
!, (. This noble tribute is paid to him not
simply because he was Confederate
!, soldier; not simply because he was u
good Governor; not simply because
he was soldier Of the United
States; not simply because he was
discreet diplomat; not simply be-
cause he was a good and patriotic citi-
zena but because he was all these and
more-the highest type Of q manly man
u and a Virginia gentleman. Creates men
than Fitzhugh Lee have died, and their
remains have been laid to rest without
8pomp and circumstance. If, therefore.
any man shall ask himself why the whole
nation pays this noble tribute to our
4 hero, he may find a sufficient reason In
a these reflections.
And now, while his hosts Of friends and
admirers at the North are turning their
thoughts toward Richmond on this sol
emn day. a few1luestions In respect and
good temper 10 them. When the South
.ern States seeded Fitzhugh Lee was a.
soldier OF the United States, and when
Virginia withdrew from the Union and
called upon her devoted sons 10 follow,
as his distinguished uncle came, and
offered hts sword and his best service to
his native State. Men of tho North. If
\ Fitzhugh Lee had refused to obey the
call OF his old mother; If he had remained
where he was and fought against Virginia
have had such honors on the day of his
burial? Men of the North. In all candor,
In the name OF honor and chivnlry-nay,
y in the name Of patriotism itself-do you
not in your heart of hearts respect and
admire Fitzhugh Lee for the course
which he took more than you would have
respected and admired him If he had
fought under u. s. Grant instead OF
under Robert Z, Lee? If Fitzhugh Lee
had been capable of deserving his mother
State and his brethren In the days of
their need and distress, would he have
been the Fitzhugh Lee who won the
respect and affection Of the nation? Nay,
men OF the North. do you not know that
Fitzhugh Lee was more manly, more
noble. more patriotic for the sacrifice
which he made. for the hardships which
he endured. for the blood which he spilled
In honor S cause? The nation honors him
because he honored himself.
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