hundred untrained
militia conquered for you that vast domain of the Northwest, which
Virginia, in her devotion to the Union gave, a free donation with
magnanimity surpassing that of Lear. She divided her possession with her
associates, and let me add, it has not been requited with the
ingratitude of Lear's daughters, for the disposition and the policy of
this Government toward Virginia at the end of the war, and toward the
people of the South has been characterized by a magnanimity and clemency
unparalleled in the history of the world. [Applause.]

You must remember that the war commenced, as you gentlemen believe,
without provocation; we believe otherwise. This war so commenced,
costing a million of lives and countless millions of treasure, has not
been expiated by one drop of retributive blood. [Applause.] You must
further remember, Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, that at the formation of
the Constitution every distinguished Virginian was hostile to slavery
and advocated its abolition. [Applause.] Patrick Henry, George
Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, all without exception, were
the enemies of slavery and desired its extinction, and why it was not
then abolished I leave you gentlemen to determine by consulting history;
it was certainly not the fault of Virginia.

Now will you pardon me, I have been led into these remarks because you
did not give me a text, and I had to extemporize one, or rather adopt
the suggestion of his Excellency, the Governor of this State. Now, here
we are asked, why did Virginia go into the War of Secession? Let me tell
you as one who was personally cognizant of the events. Twice Virginia in
her convention voted against the ordinance of secession, the deliberate
will of the people of Virginia, expressed under circumstances which did
not coerce their opinion, was that it was her interest and her duty to
remain loyal to the Union, but meanwhile a blow was struck at Sumter,
war, actual war, occurred. What then was the course of Virginia? She
said to herself, I know I am to be the Flanders of this conflict; I know
that my fields are to be ravaged and my sons to be slaughtered and my
homes to be desolated, but war has occurred, the South is my sister and
I will go with her. It was a magnanimous and it was a disinterested
resolution, and if her fault was grievous, grievously hath she answered
it. When this war occurred, she, beyond dispute, occupied the primacy in
the Union; she is to-day th