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 JAMES LONGSTREET 8i

do not lose sight of these small matters," ^2 is the usual tone. Perhaps the most curious suggestion offered is that the military authorities should " impress" all the gold in the country and use it for the necessities of defense.^^ Unfortunately most of Lee's replies to his subordinate's exhortations are lost. We have his comment on this gold matter, however, — a gentle reminder that the specie is not accumulated in chests which troopers can walk off with, but is scattered and hidden all over the Confeder- acy. Longstreet, perfectly unconcerned, insists as before : " The gold is in the country, and most of it is lying idle. Let us take it at once and [use] it to save Richmond and end the war." ^^

Finally, in considering Longstreet's conduct after the war was over, I think we shall find the best excuse or explanation for it in this same trait of overmastering self-confidence. Here we should turn to Mrs. Long- street. It is worth observing that the lives of three of the most prominent Southern leaders — Davis, Jackson, and Longstreet — have been written by their wives with lov- ing eulogy, and that in each case these ladies furnish — quite unintentionally — the most striking testimony as to their husbands' weaknesses and defects. It is a not- able illustration of the old poet's remark, —

"Those have most power to hurt us that we love; We lay our sleeping lives within their arms."

Thus, when Mrs. Longstreet insists that her hero, in joining the Republican party and accepting government

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