The gold leaf., 1905-05-11
Gen. Fithugh Lee.
Richmond Times Dispatch. April 27th.

hcuHouu Aimes-bispatcH aprit Ssth-
General Fitzhugh Lee was nation
al character and universally admired
and beloved. AS cavalry leader in
the Confederate army; as private citi-
zen; as Governor of Virginia; as con-
sui to Havana, and finally as an Of
fcer IN the United States army, he
bore himself as a manly man. dutiful,
efficient, tactful, courageous. chival-
rous, patriotic. No Confederate more
gallant and loyal than he: none more
Jealous or daring in fighting the bat
ties of the South; but when tie war
was over he sheathed his sword and
turned in a spirit of peaceful and
peaceable resignation to the duties of
civil life. There was no bitterness in
his heart, for not all the horrors and
hardships OF war were able to impair
his amiability or rob his cheerfulness.
He was the soul of gentleness and
good cheer. When he became Gov
ernor OF Virginia he was as ardent in
promoting peace and good fellowship
between the sections as he had been
intrepid in leading his dashing horse
men in war. The whole nation was
attracted to him-first, because OF
his name, and afterwards because of
his own attractive personality, and
upon occasion, when he rode in pro-
cession at the North, the multitude
went wild over him and cheered him
to the echo. 1t is simple truth to say
that from that period on be was in
the nation at large easily the most
popular of all the SOuth's distinguish
ed sons What he failed to accomplish
with his sword he achieved by the
power of personal love. He conquer
ed the North with his loving kind
ness
Among the men of the North who
looked with favor upon him was
President Cleveland. He first gave
him all appointment in Virginia, and
finally, when he needed a wise and
diplomatic man togo to Cuba as con-
sul-general, he selected Fitz Lee as
the one man in all the nation who, in
his opinion, was best qualified for the
delicate task. Never did Mr.. Cleve-
land show better Judgment. 1t was a
most fortunate selection, as alter
ward appeared, Affairs in Cuba were
then in a most critical condition, and
the strain upon General Lee was in
tense. Frequently he received his
callers with an amiable smile upon
his face, while his hand was on his
pistol. Yet so tactful was he that
there was never an open rupture, and
he in no wise compromised or embar-
rassed the United States government.
So we'll did he fill the position that
President Mckinley, who succeeded
Mr.. Cleveland, did not think of re-
moving him, and he was continued in
office until war with Spain was de-
clared. He was then appointed ma jor-
general in the United States volun-
teers and placed in command of the
Seventh army corps. He served the
United States as faithfully as he had
served the Confederate States, and
after the war became military gov.
ernOr of Havana.
Not long ago he was elected presi
dent of the jamestown Exposition
Company, and he threw his whole
| soul into the work. He did splendid
service for that enterprise, and one O
the sad features of his untimely tax
ing off is that he will not be here tC
see the triumph of his last endeavors
But after all, it is pleasant to know
that he did not Outlive the day of his
usefulness. In spite of the fact thai
he had nearly reached the Psalmist'
limit of three score years and ten, tt
the last he was in full mental an(
physical vigor, an active, nervous
progressive American, in the fulnes
of development, Jealous in goot
works, and giving his latest endeav
ors to a noble enterprise of Virginia
1t was a fitting climax of a useful
honorable and distinguished career
Yesterday there was a momentar.
pause in his busy and useful life-thel
eternal rest and peace. Yet he wa
| still right welcome, as some swee
guest departs at eventide, when W
would have him yet remain a while