this day, among the living citizens of Virginia, ‘first in war.’  We pray to God most fervently that you may so conduct the operations committed to your Charge that it may soon be said of you that you are ‘first in peace,’ and when that time comes you will have earned the still prouder distinction of being ‘first in the hearts of your countrymen.’”

The president concluded by saying that Virginia on that day intrusted her spotless sword to Lee’s keeping, and Lee responded as follows: 

“MR. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN OF THE CONVENTION:  Profoundly impressed with the solemnity of the occasion, for which I must say I was not prepared, I accept the position assigned me by your partiality.  I would have much preferred had your choice fallen upon an abler man.  Trusting in Almighty God, an approving conscience, and the aid of my fellow-citizens, I devote myself to the service of my native State, in whose behalf alone will I ever again draw my sword.”

Such were the modest and dignified expressions of Lee in accepting the great trust.  The reply is brief and simple, but these are very great merits on such an occasion.  No portion of the address contains a phrase or word denunciatory of the Federal Government, or of the motives of the opponents of Virginia; and this moderation and absence of all rancor characterized the utterances of Lee, both oral and written, throughout the war.  He spoke, doubtless, as he felt, and uttered no expression of heated animosity, because he cherished no such sentiment.  His heart was bleeding still from the cruel trial it had undergone in abruptly tearing away from the old service to embark upon civil war; with the emotions of the present occasion, excited by the great ovation in his honor, no bitterness mingled—­or at least, if there were such bitterness in his heart, he did not permit it to rise to his lips.  He accepted the trust confided to him in terms of dignity and moderation, worthy of Washington; exchanged grave salutations with the members of the convention; and then, retiring from the hall where he had solemnly consecrated his life to his native Commonwealth, proceeded at once to energetic work to get the State in a posture of defence.

The sentiment of the country in reference to Lee was even warmer than that of the convention.  For weeks, reports had been rife that he had determined to adhere to the Federal Government in the approaching struggle.  Such an event, it was felt by all, would be a public calamity to Virginia; and the general joy may be imagined when it was known that Lee had resigned and come to fight with his own people.  He assumed command, therefore, of all the Virginia forces, in the midst of universal public rejoicing; and the fact gave strength and consistency to the general determination to resist the Federal Government to the last.

IX.

LEE IN 1861.