The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-06-08
laernlug Star and Catholic Messenger.
NEw oRLHANs, SUNDAY. JUNE 9. ls7s.

MEW ORLEANS, SUNDAY. JUNE .. 1873.
To none of her children was the crisis q
,everer trial than it was to Col. Lee. On
The one hand were the traditions OF his
family, whose whole career from the time
Of it's establishment in Virginia had been
identified with the honor and progressed
the State. She was his country proper in
his eyes, having been originally an indie.
pendent colony, and only by her own net
long afterwards leagued with other indie
pendent colonies into Federation for the
maintenance of common rights and liber-
ties. Brought up in this faith, he could
not view any other claim as more than sub
On the other hand, his professional inter
ests--2we lay stress on this fact, because it
has been hitherto unrecognized In England
were absolutely on the Union, since
termed the Northern side. Distinguished
by position aud pedigree above all those Of
beloved and blameless in his private life,
he had been recognized by all as one Of
the ahless Of the scountry's officers during
the Mexican War: and what was more I'm
portant than all, he had Impressed his gcn.
ius for wars 50 strongiy on Gen. Scott, thas
own growing infirmities, did not hesitate
to announce his intention to propose Lee
as his successor in HIS now weighty charge.
A warm personal regard for his junior made
the aged general all the more anxious not
to lose bic services. He recommended him,
therstore, on his arrival ct Warrington, toy
the frat vacancy. as Brigadier- General 10
the regular army. And although there is
no record of the personal conversations
which ensued when the conqueror of Next
co and his trusted staF officer were closeted
together in that eventful April, we may be
unused which could avail to save the Union
the loss Of Lee's services. Up to the last
hour before the die was cast by the State
Legislature at Richmond, Lee probably
hoped that its decision might be stayed,
and his own rendered unnecessary. But
when certain news came that secession was
accomplished, and he must choose between
the flag he honored and the State he loved,
he decided that The latter claimed his FIRST
allegiance, and he could no longer delay
what he believed to be his painful duty.
His Last sad interview with his old chief
took place the following day, and found
his resolution Fixed unaiterably. On the
Goth he sent In his official Resignation of
his commission, and apologised thus for the
two days delay by saying:
at would have been presented at once, but
for the struggle 1t has cost me to separate nay
self from o service to which have devoted all
the best years Of my life and all the ability
moro than . quarter Of century, have ex-
perienced nothing but kindness from my aupe
riors, and the most cordial friendship from my
comrades. To no one, General, have I been as
defence Of my native State, never again de-
sire to draw my swoFd."' 50. SO.
Writing to his sister the same day, he
lays bare his feelings with o candor which
even these who least approve his decision
must honor. No doubt his words express
generally the feelings Of many others less
gifted With the power of expression j; and
in theaA 3Ara. xrka, Gkafa inaananAao,
has been swept away by the keen arbitra-
ment OF the sword, 1t is welt to recall what
was thought on the subject at that time by
one OF the most pureminded and unselfsh
of those who were forced to choose:
"The whole South" no writes, sis in q state
Of revelation, into which Virginia, after long
mise NO necessity for this state of things, and
would have forborne and pleaded to tie end
for the redress Of grievances, real or supposed,
yet in my own person, had to meet the ques-
native State. With all my devotion to the
Union, and the feeling of loyalty and duty of
an American citizen, ! have not been able to
my relatives, my children, my home. have,
therefore, resigned my commission in the
army"
He adds here the same expression OF his
hope, before quoted, that no may not be
called upon to serve save in defence of his
WA SeeSS. S0S FN6tot@o fOi0udc0 were
now to be bound up for veal or woe with
those of the Confederacy that she was about
to join.
The very mansion of Arlington, from
which he wrote these letters, was his frat
sacrifice to his decision. Situated as it was
in sight Of the. capital, it must needs be
abandoned, with the fine estate on which it
stood. Perhaps in quitting it and leaving
its contents intact, he I,ay have vainly
hoped that the venerated relics of Wash,
ington with which it was crowded, might
save it from spoliation. But personal losses
could weigh nothing with such soul as
his; and leaving to its fate of almost Ger
tain occupation by the first advance guard
OF the Union army that house in which he
had spent the happiest hours of his life, he
set ont for Richmond. Ere, however, he
had reached the capital of this State, soon
to become that of the Confederaey, be had
been appointed Major General Of sill the
Virginia forces by the spontaneous choice
OF the Governor and Legislatare, and on
the 23d he was publicly received ia his new
capacity at Richmond. He accepted the
trust conferred on him in q few si1ple and
dlgnihed words, again expressing his sole
desire to be to defend hia native State.