Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 35.djvu/150

136 to the agricultural heart, and also to that of the working man; but these pursuits were too tame for his ardent, enterprising spirit, and he sought the excitement and prizes of the political arena.

His ambition was gratified by his elevation to the highest office of the gift of our people the governorship of our grand old Commonwealth which had once been filled by his grandfather, "Light Horse Harry," a special favorite of Washington, whose brilliant exploits in command of his Partizan Legion, and splendid gifts as orator, author and statesman invest his memory with enduring lustre.

Fitz Lee was one of the very best of our Governors. He proved himself wise in counsel, upright and tactful in civil administration, as he had been among the bravest of the brave in those terrible days "when the grapes were of iron and the vintage was of blood." This civic renown supplanted his firmly established military fame.

No one who saw the grand procession down Pennsylvania Avenue, or rode on the staff of General Fitz Lee, as I did, when Cleveland was first inaugurated, need be told that there was that indescribable magnetism in our Fitz, which captivated the crowding thousands who lined the sidewalks and stirred the multitudes there gathered from all parts of the country with wildest enthusiasm.

President Cleveland jocularly called him to account for taking the largest share of the cake, which had been baked for himself. What a glorious thing it would be if the Jamestown Exposition Company could issue a clearing-house certificate, pay off the paltry million or so that remain unsatisfied, sell the plant to the government for a grand naval station, and then erect a magnificent equestrian statue upon the parade ground named in honor of its first president. It would be "a thing of beauty," of inspiration "and a joy forever." Then, indeed when the taps are sounded and its lights put out it could well be said, "Finis coronat opus."

Passing over minor matters we come now to the time, in the career of Fitz Lee, when the eyes of the world were focused upon him.

He was appointed consul-general at Havana by President