Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-04-28
GEN. LEES REPLY.

In conformity with a resolution offered by Mr..
mcfarland in the Convention, on Mondays liqht
the ed inst Col Robert E. Lee, late of the United
States Army, was formally received by the Conven-
ton on Tuesday and the unanimous confirmation of
his appointment to the Office of Major General Of the
military and naval forces of Virginia, made known
to HIM by John Janey, Esq, President OF the Con-
yention in behalf of that assembly. We give the
particulars of this reception.
The Hon. A. H. Stephens, Vice President OF the
Confederate Sta.es, entered the Hall accompanied
by the Governor, and was introduced to the Presi-
dent by Mr. Johnston. of Lee county, member OF
the committee appointed to invite and conduct that
gentleman to the Hall.
Mr. Johnston next introduced Judge Allen, mem
Der of the Advisory Council to the Governor.
Mr.. Criteher next introduced Col. Smith, OF the
Virginia Military Institute.
Mr.. Morton introduced Capt. N. +. Maury, late of
the United States Navy, who, with Col Smith, con-
stitute the other members of the Advisory Council
Every delegate was on his feet during this cere,
mony.
seats the right of the President and the three
members of the Advisory Council on the left.
At this time, Major General Lee entered. leaning
on the arm of Mr.. johnson, of Richmond, Chairman
of the committee appointed to conduct the distin-
guished military Chief to the Hall. As they reach
ed the centre of the main aisle, Mr.. Johnston said:
Mr.. President. have the honor to present to you
and to the Convention, Major General Lee.
| The President-Major General Lee. In the name
of the people of our native State here represented
Ibid you cordial and heartfelt welcome to this
Hall, in which may yet almost hear the echo of
the of the statesmen the soldiers and sages
| of by>gone days, who have borne your name, and
whose blood now flows in your veins.
We met in the month of February last, charged
with tbs solemn duty of protecting the rights. the
honor and the interests of the people of this Com
| monwealth. We differed for tune as to the best
means of accomplishing that object; but there never
was, at any moment, shade of difference among US
as to the great object itself and Virginia hav-
ing taken her position, as far the power of this
| Convention extends, stand animated by one i'm
pulse, governed by one desire and one determin a.
tion and that is that she shall BE- defended and that
spot of her soil shall be polluted by the foot Of
| an invader.
When the necessity became apparent of having a
leader for forces, all hearts and all eyes, by the
impulses of instinct which is a surer guide than
reason ITSELF turned to the old county of Westmore
| land. We know how prolific she had been in ether
| days. of heroes and statesmen. We know she had
given birth to the Father of his Country Richard
Henry Lee, to Monroe, and last though not least tC
your own gallant father. and we knew well by your
| own deeds, that her productive power was not yet
| exhausted
Sir, we watched with the most profound and in
tense interest the triumphal march of the army led
by General Scott, to which you attached, frcm
Vera Cruz to the Capital of Mexico; read of the
sanguinary conflicts and the bloodstained fields, in
all of which victory perched upon our own banners
we knew of the unfadng lustreathat was shed upon
| the American arms by that campaign; ard we know
also. what your modesty has always disclaimed'
that small share of the glory of those achieve
ments was due to you: valOr and your mil Jury
| genius.
Sir one of the proudest recollection sf my life
will be the honor that yesterday had of submitting
| to this body confirmation of the nomination made
by the Governor of this State, of you as COM
manderinchief of the military and naval forces of
this Commonwealth, rose to put the question, and
when I. asked if this body would advise and con.
| sent to that appointment, there rushed from the
hearts to the tongues of all the members an afir-
native response that told, with emphasis that
could Ileave no doubt, of the feeling whence il
emanated put the negative of the question, for
| forms sake, but there was an unbroken silence
Sir, we have by this unanim Jus 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 conduct
| the oper atoms committed to your charge, that il
| will soon be said of you, that you are first IL
| peace" and when that time comes, you will have
earned the still prouder distinction of being first
| in the hearts of your countrymen"
| / will close with one more remark.
When the father of his country made his last viii
and testament, he gave his swords to his fayorite
nephews with I'M junction that they should never
| be drawn from their scabbards except in sefde-
fence or in defence of the rights and liberties OF
4
pose, they should fall with them their hanls
| rather than relinquish them.
Yesterday, your mother, Virginia placed heI
sword in your hand upon the implied condition
that we know you will keep to the letter and in
spirit that you will draw it only in her defence
and that you will fall with 1t in your hand rather
than the object for which it is placed there, shall
| fail. (Applause.)
MAJOR GENERAL LEE: Mr. President and gentle.
men of the Convention. Profoundly impressed with
the solemnty of the occasion, for which must say
was not prepared, l accept the position assigned
| me by your partiallty. | would have much pre-
| ferred had your choice fallen upon an ADLER man
| Trusting in Almighty God an approving conscience
and the aid of my fellow citizens devote myself &c
the service of my native State, in whose behalf
alone, will L ever again draw my sword. Gap
plause.)
The Chair was then vacated, and some time was
spent in the introductions of Delegates to Major
General Lee and the tender to him of congratula
tons by the members.