The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1905-05-11
Dust to Dust.
Richmond Times-Dispatch, May 4th.


This is Il notable day in the history
of Richmond. We give back to earth
the dust of Fitzhugh Lee, and repre-
sentatives OF the Federal government,
the State government and city gov
eminent; representatives of civic and
military organizations, and individ-
ual citizens from all parts of the
land, will meet here on the sad Occa-
sion to pay tribute to the man whom,
in life, the whole nation hOnOred. 1t
will be the most distinctively national
event in the history OF Richmond since
the war. We have had notable funer-
ais; We have buried distinguished
Confederates with becoming cere-
mony, but Gen. Lee was more than
a distinguished Confederate. He had
served the nation in war and he had
won we'll deserved fame as diplomat.
For these reasons Fitzhugh Lee oc-
cupied a uniquepOsitiOn in the United
States. There are famous COnfeder-
ates; there are famous Grand Army
men; there are famous diplomats and
civilians; but no man in the United
States had SO distinguished himself
as Confederate officer, as officer of
the United States army, as diplomat
and civilian. as Gen. Lee had done.
be was not only universally admired;
he was universally beloved because
he was gentle and sweet tempered and
warm-hearted; a thoroughly good
and lOvable man, as we'll as an all
round, patriotic citizen.
This noble tribute is paid to him
not simply because he was a Confed-
crate soldier; not simply because he
was good Governor; not simply be-
cause he was a soldier of the United
States; not simply because he was a
discreet diplomat; not simply because
he was good and patriotic citizen;
but because he was all these and more
the highest type of a manly man and
| a Virginia gentleman Greater men
than Fitzhugh Lee have died, and
their remains have been laid to rest
| without pomp and circumstance. If.
therefore, any man shall ask himself
| why the whole nation pays this noble
tribute to our hero, he may find
! cuihSlclt lSttSoll III tlleSe TeletUiOllS.
And now, while his hosts of friends
and admirers at the North are turn
| ing their thoughts toward Richmond
on this solemn day, a few questions
in respect and good temper to them.
| When the Southern States seeded
| Fitzhugh Lee was a soldier of the
| United States, and when Virginia
| withdrew from the Union and called
| upon her devoted sons to follow,
Fitzhugh Lee hesitated not, but
came, as his distinguished uncle came.
and offered his sword and his best
service to his native State. Men OF
the North, if Fitzhugh Lee had failed
to obey the call of his old mother; if
he had remained where he was and
fought against Virginia and his kins-
men in Virginia, would he have had
such honors on the day of his burial?
Men OF the North, in all candor, in the
name OF honor and chivalry-nav, in
the name of patriotisnfitself-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 c. S.
,Grant instead of under Robert E. Lee.
| II 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 Fitz-
hugh 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 ma.
ton honors him because he honored
| himself.