The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-05-29
ELOouENCE OF LEE.
speech When lie Became COMMANDMENTS
Cbief-ui. Farewell Address.

Robert Z. Lees life is eloquence itself.
And that clOquencc is reflected in his writ
ines and speeches. Two examples may
suffice here. Having resigned his commits
sion i'm the United states ARM the Gov
crnOr of Virginia rendered him the appoint
meni of maior-general and cOmmandcr-in-
chief of the forces of Virginia. After some
deliberation, General lee accepted, and at
Richmond, ON April 23d. he received his
commission in the presence of the Virginia
Convention and the citizens. Mr. Janney,
the prt sldcnt Of the convention, in present
ing the commission. said:
"ln the name of the people Of our native
State. here represented, ] bid YOU a cordial
and heartfelt welcome to this hall, in which
W. may almost hear the echoes of the voices
Of lbC statesmen, the soldiers, and the sages
of hygonc days who have borne your name.
and whose blood now flows in your
veins. We met i'm the month Of
/ Of February last. charged with the solemn
duty of protecting the rights, the honor and
J the interests of the people Of this Common
/ wealth. We differed for time as 10 the
/ best means oi accomplishing that object,
/ but there never wa, at any moment shade
+ OF di.llrucc among us as 10 the great OH
+ ieci itself; and now, Virginia, having taken
her position. as far Is the power Of TINS
/ convention extends. We stand animated by
'fiif ifIIifNII~f's -iif wi fiN ~ NlT NN0IiI dnA
one determination that Is, that she
shall Doe defended. and that no spot on her
/ soil shall Dee polluted by the foot Of an III
tudar. When the necessity of having a
+ leader for our force, became apparent, all
hearts and all eyes, hy the impulse
! .f am instinct which j. a surcr
nide than reason itself, turned
I &, the ODD county of " cstmOreland. We
buew how prolific -he had been in other
I days Of heroes and -iatesmcn; we knew She
had given birth 20 the Father of his Coun-
r try. o. Richard Henry Lee, To Monroe. and
last. though NOT least. 10 your own gallant
d mfhor: and we knew well by your deeds
+ that her productive power Wa- not ca
i au-tod. Sir. we watched with the most
profound and intense interest the triumphal
mlr--of the army led Icy General scott, 10
which YOU were attached, from era cruz
100 tho Capifal of Mexico. We read of the
~au.uiuary counc, and the blOod-stalned
fields. I'm an Of which victory pcrched upon
nur banners.
I'VE knew of the unlading lusire which
iua- shed upon the American arms 10y inal
cawpai.n. and We knew also what Ao'n
'modc-ty has always disclaintd, iht' 300
SMALL Share OF the glory Of thr~- achicN 90
n,ont- was due TO your Yalor and Nonr mill
tarr .Dmius. ~ir. one Of the proude-i Irrol-
lection, of mo life will Dee that Yesterday
. had tine honor of submitting o. THIS Body ih'
/ confirmation Of tine nomination. made y
Iri. Governor Of this state. of you as come
manlar-in-chief OF the naval AND n!il-
larry forces of tins Commonwealth. J
n,.c t0 put the questions AMI N"rn }
asked If ihis body would adNi-v ,He
consent TO that appointment lnere id-h,d
from tine hearts 10 Tine tongues oil aH ."1
+ memhers un affirmative response, Wnlch