The State's thunder born to wield,He had now entered upon the discharge of new duties and assumed new responsibilities. The bridge over which he had crossed from Colonel Lee, of the United States Army, to Major-General Lee, of the Virginia forces, had been burned behind him. He was enlisted for the war, In the prime of manhood and physical vigor he held what he considered the greatest honor-his State's highest commission. He had sacrificed exalted rank, home, and fortune, and had followed only the conscientious voice of duty. The words of his own father were ringing in his ears as he once exclaimed, “No consideration on earth could induce me to act a part, however gratifying, which could be construed into a disregard or forgetfulness of this Commonwealth.” Therefore he would not join the confederacy of States, but was waiting for the endorsation by the people of Virginia of the action of her representatives duly assembled in convention. One hundred and twenty thousand votes were cast for the ratification of the Ordinance ot Secession, some twenty thousand against it. Before this popular decision was reached, the convention
And shake at once the Senate and the field.
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Washington-like in modesty and touching in language.
His heart was filled with emotion as he heard the very language his father had used in reference to the great Washington, applied so many years afterward to himself.
The scene was solemn as well as new to the soldier.
“Mr. President and gentlemen of the Convention,” said he in reply, “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 the 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.”
It was his first and last speech, and under all the circumstances he could safely rest his oratorical reputation upon this, single effort.
It is possible, had he selected a public profession after the war, we could have said of him as Pope said of Argyll:
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