sulted in choosing to a convention a very large majority of
delegates opposed to secession. The convention, March 17th--90 to
45--rejected an Ordinance of Secession. Virginia's people were,
until coerced by her disloyal State Governor, faithful to the Union
of Washington. The fact remains that Lee, before his State voted
to secede, accepted a commission in the army of the Confederacy,
and took an oath to support its laws and Constitution, and thenceforth
drew his sword to overthrow the Union of his fathers and to establish
a new would-be nation under another flag. His son, G. W. Custis
Lee, did not resign from the U.S.A. until May 2, 1861. Fitzhugh
Lee also accepted a commission from Lincoln, and resigned (May 21,
1861) after his illustrious uncle.

It is hard to understand how fundamental principles in government
and individual patriotism and duty may be made, on moral or political
grounds, to depend on the conduct of the temporary authorities of
a State, or even on the voice of its people.

The action of Robert E. Lee in leaving the United States Army, and
his reasons therefor, serve to show how and why many other army
and navy officers abandoned their country's service. The Confederacy
promptly recognized these "_seceding officers_," and for the most
part gave them, early, high rank, and otherwise welcomed them with
enthusiasm.

It is probably that the slowness of promotion in time of peace, in
both the army and navy of the United States, caused many officers
to resign and seek, with increased rank, new fortunes and renown
in war.

It is not to be denied that the custom of hospitably treating
officers while serving in the South, and otherwise socially
recognizing them and their families, had won many to love the
Southern people and their gallant ways. This, at least, held the
most of the Southern-born officers to their own States, though in
some cases, and perhaps in many, they did not believe in slavery.

It may be said also that the generally cold business character of
the well-to-do Northern people, and their social indifference to
one another, and especially to officers and their families serving
at posts and in cities, did not attach them to the North. An
officer in the regular service in time of peace, having no hope of
high promotion before he reaches old age, has but little, save
social recognition of himself and family, to make him contented
and happy. This somewhat helpless condition makes h