The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1905-05-12
GEN. FITZHUGH LEE.
The Northern Papers Speak Highly
ofthe Dnshing Cavalryman.

ofthe Dashing Cavalryman.
The death Of Fitzhugh Lee is the
occasion for the expression of sympa
thetic and appreciative opinion in the
press OF the northern and eastern
States. Without exception, as far as
we have seen, these papers have gen
erouSly availed themselves of an op
portunity to speak magnanimously
and justly OF the dashing Confederate
cavalry leader who recognized nc
enemy save those under hostile
flag.
1t was natural that the attitude OF
Fitzhugh Lee should appeal strongly
! to the best sentiment OF the north as
it did to the best sentiment Of the
south. 1t was the attitude of q gal.
liant lighter, who does his best and,
at the end OF the struggle, returns as
gallantlY to the tasks Of peace-tasks
made more difficult by defeat and loss.
In assuming this courageous position,
however, he was not the leader, as
one might infer from reading the eu-
logles Of him In the northern press.
He followed the lofty precept and ex
ample OF his uncle, Robert e Lee,
and In this State the course advised
by that great chieftain had already
been adopted by Gen. Wade Hamp-
ton, who, indeed, needed no counsel
In any path Of honor, of courage, or of
right conduct. In praislng Fltzhugh
Lees attitude, therefore, the praise
must be accepted, in principle, for
other leaders of the south in war and
in peace.
The New York Times said of Fitz
hugh Lee, the day he died, but before
it knew Of his death: There is no
man In the south, and no man in the
United States, who contributed more
than Fltzhugh Lee to form, after the
division Of the Civil war, a more per.
| feet union"
In an appreciation OF Lee, the Phil
adelphia Public Ledger, after speak
ing OF the very important part played
by this patriotic man and competent
administrator in the era OF reconstruc
tion," said:
Cleveland acted with great spirit
and wisdom In appointing this dis.
tinguished son Of the south and form.
er Confederate general successlvely
internal revenue collantn- in Virginia
and consui general at Napafi.; and
President Mckinley must have great
credit for his decision to retain this
Democrat at the important Havana.
post, and particularly for appointing
him to be major general of volunteers
during the war with Spain, and
finally, military governor Of Havana
Gen. Lee was thoroughly
Reconstructed" like his uncle, the
Confederate military leader. Great
soldier as was Robert e. Lee, mis- real
greatness something of that large.
ness OF soul which we attribute to a
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. out conspicuously
in his counsels and practices Of peace
and good will, end IN his performance
OF new duties for the upbuilding Of the
shattered south In reunited country
almost from the day that the war was
over.
The New York Sun very gracefully
said: "F,tzhugh Lee died hero OF
the whole American people. The il
lustrious name ie bore, typical OF the
highest and purest American citizen
snip, is a proud national possession.
LII Is name most canon!Zed at tile
South, and at the north it is scarcely
ess honored. Ii seems far cry back
to Appomattox when one reads such
sentiments in the northern press. -
The State.