The weekly standard. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1865-1867, 1866-01-20

by O single spot, and the following let.
ters, one to Gen. Scott and The Other
to his sister, show that in taking the
step he did he was moved by no mo-
tive that was not inspired by a sense
of duty and by the most earnest i'm
pulses Of patriotism and virtue: gtd &
"ARLNeToN, Va, April 20, 1861.
latt General Since my interview with
you on the 18th inst.,I have felt that
I ought no longer to retain my com
mission in the army. ], therefore, ten
der my resignation, which ] request
you will recommend for acceptance. II
would have been presented at once but
for the struggle it cost me to, seperate
myself from a service to which have
devoted the best years Of my Life and
all Of the ability / possessed. -
During the whole Of the time more
than o quarter Of century, have
experienced nothing but kindness from
my superiors, and the most cordial
friendship from comrades. To no one,
General, have been as much indebted
as to yourself, for uniform kindness and
consideration, and it has always been
my ardent desire to merit your appro-
baton. I shall carry to the grave the
most grateful recollections ofyour kind
consideration, and your name and fame
will always be very dear to me. ad
'sSaye in defense of my native State,
I never desire again to draw my sword.
Be pleased to accept my most earnest
wishes for the continuance ofypur hap
piness and prosperity, and believe me
most truly yours, "R. Z. Lee.
'Gieut. Gen. Winfield Scott, COM
manding United States Army"
A copy of the preceding letter was
enclosed in the following letter to a
sister of the General, Mrs. A. NJ:
+ DARLINGTON, Va, April 90, 1861.
"MY Dean SISTER: I am grieyed at
my inability to meet you. :
/ have been waiting for "a moro con-
yenient season" which has brought to
many before me deep and lasting re-
gret. Now we are in a state of war
which will yield to nothing. The whole
South is In q state of revolution into
which Virginia, after long struggle,
has been drawn, and though I recognize
no necessity for such a state of things
and would have forborne and pleaded
to the end for redress of grievances,
real or supposed, yet in my own per-
son I had to meet the question, ro5lethe,-
aIacoald take part against my malice State.
With all my devotion to the Uniong and
the feeling of loyalty and duty of an
American citizen. ] have not been able
to make up my mind to raise my hand
against myrelatives, my children, my
home. Ihave, therefore, resigned my
commission in the army, and, save. in
defence of my native State, with a sin
tcere hope that my poor services may
never be needed, / hope I may never
be called ON to draw my sword. las9
.M Il know you, viii blame me, but you
must think Of me as kindly as you can,
and believe that have endeavored to
do what thoughtright Toshow you
the feeling and struggle it has cost me,
I send q copy Of my letter to General
Scott, which accompanied my resigna-
ton. I have no time for more.
81 *ni*ai* May God guard and
protect you and yours, and shower
upon you every blessing, is the prayer
of your devoted brother sal SRI sda
a9ustssi1a ggo qU tea EstR e. LEE.8a
q OF course it viii be said that Gen.
Lee committed fatal error In resolv-
ing to follow the fortunes of his State.
But would it not have been astonish-
ing if he had arrived at any other coz
clusion? He had been instructed by
Jefferson, the Father of our Declara-
ton of Independence, that Estates can
wholly withdraw their delegated pow
lers.g' He had also been instructed by
President Madison, the Father of the
Constitution, that 70 delegated is not
surrendered power" and that s'there is
no power above thato of aState to Judge
in the last resort &c. This doctrine
neither he nor any body else had ever
heard called in question by any re-
spectacle statesman, from the founda-
tion of the Government torthe election
OF Lincoln. And more than this he
knew that Virginia had ratified the
Constitution and become member cf
the Unions only on condition that she
should have the right to lesRme her
delegated powers whenever in her
opinion, It should become necessary
for her own safety. More STILL he
s..<o,s, &.,,.>1 a.. ,-<,,.< 49,,