The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-01-20
and Austerlitz. and others worn out in

Aioy VIC hui bs dliOWcus w NWdhtoiy
and by the appropriation
OF few thousand dollars from the State,
to support the modest Soldiers Home
planted by the Lee Camp on the western
side of the city?
The great wars which have given new
direction to national life have had their
distinctive characteristics.
Some have been wars waged for the
sake OF military renown; some have been
wars OF brutal ferocity: some have been
prompted by greed and the lust Of con-
quest. There have been aggressive wars
and wars defensive; wars OF passion and
wars Of principle; wars OF calculating.
crafty policy and wars of the sublimest
Christian patriotism.
In this connection I take leave to emu
merate some of the distinguished char
acteristics Of the great Confederate strug-
gle for Independence.
As far as Virginia is concerned. the
more prominent OF these was the reluc-
lance with which IL was undertaken; the
repeated efforts made to prevent 1T alto
gether.
As long as there was a possibility OF
averting the impending conflict Virginia
availed herself of every resource In be-
half of Cancellation.
Those whose memories OF the history
Of the time have become indistinct may
have them wildly renewed by perusai
of a synopsis prefaced in Munford's Code
Of Virginia for 1873. in which with judicial
fsirness ne narrates the numerous and
anxious efforts made by the Executive, the
Legislature and the State Convention
of Virginia to mediate between the FED
eral Government and the disaffected
States, TO bring about reconciliation,
and to abstain from all acts calculated
m proyolra a conflict of arms.
These efforts ended In utter failure TO
accomplish the desired result.
So did all the attempts Of the states
which had already seeded to induce Vir-
ginia to pass an ordinance of secession
as long as any hope of averting the war
remained.
The issuing OF the celebrated proclama-
ton OF President Lincoln arrested all
efforts for Cancellation, and iiss'pated the
long-cherished hope that the disruption
Of the Union might In some honorable
way be prevented.
The morning after II was received II
was my Office TO open the session OF the
convention with prayer. On entering the
hall | was Immediately impressed with
the scene presented.
None III the members were seated; all
were standing I'm scattered groups ear
nestly discussing something. Approaching
the member who represented my native
county OF Prince Edward, a man Of noble
presence and rare intelligence. courteous
and chivalrous. ever seeking to know
what was true that he might do wha. was
right. l asked him what had happened.
Have you not heard" he answered, "of
| Mr.. Lincoln's proclamation" and then
proc seded to inform me OF its probable
| effect.
| Up to that day my friend had been an
| earnest advocate for the maintenance
Of the union of the States; from that day
| this, loyalty found new centre. When
the war commenced Virginia had no more
gallant soldier.
Like so many OF her noblest sons
he was as heroic in the field
as he had been faithful TO
duty as a civilian. until he received his
| mortal wound and ever numbered with
the brave
"Who seek to rest,
| BY their countrys wishes blest."
The gallant Thornton was type OF an
uncounted host, clinging to the Union
| with passionate devotion until the i'm
perilled Commonwealth required and re-
celved the allegiance of her sons-an allie
glance the intensity of which might find
expression In the memorable words, The
Lord do so to me- and more also If augh'
but death part thee and me"
The convention in its early delibera
TONS Overwhelmingly in favor of the
maintenance OF the Union, finally passed
the ordinance of secession with but few
dissenting votes When submitted t
the people for their decision II was rati
fed by strong majority.
Another characteristic OF the part Vir
glna took in the Confederate struggle
was the unity and determination will
which the war was waged when Ii ono
commenced.
| Almost at the first tap OF the drum
| Virginia was converted into great camp
| The exceptions were few among tn
young men of the State, and fewer still
among those who belonged TO familie
which bore distinguished historic names
who did not avail themselves OF the frs
| opportunty 10 enlist. Volunteers spran
forward and eagerly offered themselves
Universities. colleges. common school
and even theological seminaries emptie
| themselves, and all exercises in sue
institutions were suspended.
Those who had hesitated as long as
hope of reconciliation remained were nov
swept into the ranks by the great uua
wave of popular enthusiasm.
| The next cndTdcteIlSllC lthbbiN VA -
struggle was the cheerfulness with whic
ali sacrifices were made. and the uncon
planning endurance Win WHICH Ill "a
yations were horne.
Never was there such a necessity fC
sacrifices; never were suffering more II
eyitables. Food, clothing, medicines
military stores, and men 10 hght,
steadily diminished. until from the shes
| exhaustion of all resources the war wa
| ended.
Another characteristic of the histor
| was the herolsm displayed after defea
! and the almost incredible energy VII
which the survivors Of the conflict az
! dressed themselves to the task OF r.
building the personal. social and polit
| cal structure of the Commonwealth upc
the wide spread ruins OF unsuccesst
war.
And still another is the intense affectlt
with which the memories or the comm
| are still cherished.
The demonstration OF this is FOUND
the manner in which all the Confedera
anniversaries are celebrated. in the plot
care which has been manifested In gat
, ering the remains of those who fell on
, hundred battle fields for interment
, cemeteries provided by woman's devote
: and adorned by woman's love. in q
, erection Of monuments. in the unveilil
= Of statues of the great leaders or q
conflict. in the preparations making I
- others vet TO be inaugurated, and In
o thousand other ways among peor
4 Those every family was represented
, the army, and In which nearly eve
q family mourned bereavement.
s And os the last characteristic 10 Whi
!, con refer. Is the religious element.