Evening star., 1944-08-13
The General
Continued From Page ca

that arsonist would prefer a bigger
fire, like the White House?
And Breckinridge That man was
Vice President of the United States
when the war started Continued to
preside over the Senate for five months
after. He was eager to burn the
Capitol"
A few days later 1 saw something in
the newspapers which I knew would
interest the general. He was not at
the City Hall Office went out to
his room and found him sitting in a
chair in full uniform, his feet wrapped
in blanket. Just a slight cold, he
assured me; he would be going out again
in few days. "a
General" said, President Roosevelt
has appointed a newspaperman named
Steve Early as his press secretary. The
newspapers say he Is a relative of Jubal
Early"
The general kicked the blanket across
the room. An Early In the White
House. he said. This is a crisis!"
What are you going to do, general?"
I asked him.
Il am going to protest to the Presi-
dent" he shouted.
You know he said on reflection.
only in national emergency can
soldier protest to his Commander in
Chief. This calls for a protest"
He took pen and began to write, AS
one OF the l02d Pennsylvania Volun-
teers (Zouaves who embarked at City
Point and landed in Washington on
July II, 1864. just in time to save the
Nations Capital from the torch Of JubaI
A. Early, respectfully protest the pres
ence Of an Early in the White House"
mailed it for him.
A few days later the general tele-
phoned me. There was different note
to his voice. He had something of i'm
portance to impart to me, he said. He
would see me at the sfice
He was at desk leaning back in a
swivel chair with an air OF command.
1 almost felt called upon to click nv
heels and salute. I could see, what was
doing it. The envelope in his hand was
marked on the back, The White
House
From the White House
Il have letter from the White
House." said the general 1T is from
Mr.. Early. 1 wish to read it to YOU"
1T is true that am a distant rela.
tive of Gen. Early" the letter read.
But the attack on Washington was a
long time ago, and lot has happened
since then The country is now in a
financial crisis, and the time has come
for all citizens, from the South as we'll
as from the North, to do what they can
to help the President.
Il would like to talk this over with
you and would be honored If you would
be my guest at luncheon at the White
House the next time you are in WASH
ington."
An invitation from the White Housel
The generals voice rose in reading that
part so the other veterans in the room
could hear it again.
That Mr.. Early Is fine man." said
the general. Il am going down there
next week. He Is going to have my
support.
He raised his voice again. "This
feudin' should have been over and done
with years ago." he said. This is one
Nation under God today"
The general made a depracatory ges.
ture toward his contemporaries. "A lot
of these fellows will be fighting the Civil
War in the next world" he said.
The general leaned back. That fierce
old countenance actually looked benign.
with malice toward none and with
charity to all" was the theme Of thu
moment.
He was under the apple tree at Appo-
matox now accepting Lees sword Of
surrender, personally and courteously,
not like Grant. who sent subordinate
out to take it.
The general had made peace with the
Confederates.