al forces of this
Commonwealth. I rose to put the question, and when I asked if this
body would advise and consent to that appointment, there rushed
from the hearts to the tongues of all the members an affirmative
response, which told with an emphasis that could leave no doubt
of the feeling whence it emanated. I put the negative of the
question, for form's sake, but there was an unbroken silence.

"Sir, we have, by this unanimous vote, expressed our convictions
that you are at 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 moderati