Year: 1870

the Cuban Junta in New York So
lected him 70 be their leader in
the struggle for the independence
Of their native country. They
were anxiou, to secure his servi-
ces and offered him every tempta-
tion that ambition could desire.
He thought the matter over, and
| remember, came to Washington
to consult me as to what he should
do, and when L began TO discuss
the complications Which might
arise from his acceptance Of the
trust, he gently rebuked me, say
ing this was not the line upon
which lie wished my advice, the
simple question was "Uhcthcr It
ras right or not." lie had been
educated by the United States, and
felt wrong TO accept place in the
army Of foreign power. Such
was his extreme dclicacy, such
was The nice sense Of honor of the
gallant gentleman whose death we
deplore. But when Virginia with.
drew-the State to whom he owed
his first and last allegiance-the
same nice sense Of honor led him
TO draw lis sword and throw it in
the scale for good or evil. Pardon
me for this brief defence of my H.
lustrious friend,


When Virginia joined the Con-
federacy, Robert Lee, the highest
officer in the little army Of Vir-
ginia, came to Richmond, and not
pausing to enquire what would be
his rank in the service Of the Con-
foderacy, went to Western Vir-
ginia under the belief that he was
still an officer of the State. IL
came back, ,arrying the heavy
weight Of defeat and unapprecia-
ted by the people whom be served,
for they could not know, as I
knew, that if his plans and orders
had becu carried out the result
would have been victory rather
than retreat. Iou did not know,
nor | would not have kuowu it
had he not brcathcd it in my ear
oniy at my earnest request, and
begging that nothing be said about
it. Tho clamor which then arose
followed him when he wont to
South Carolina, so that it became
necessary on his going to South
Caroiiua to write u letter to the
Governor Of that State, telling
him what manner Ct man he was.
Yet through all this, with . mag
nanimity rarely equalled, he stood
in silence, without defending him
self OF allowing otLors to defend,
for he WIS unwilling to offend any
one who was wearing . sword and
striking blows for the Confedera-
cy.


Mr.. Davis then spoke of the
straights to which tho Coutedora-
cy was rcluccd, and Of the danger
to which her capitol was exposed
just after the battle Of Sovcn
Pines, and told how General Lee
had conceived and executed the
desperate plan to turn thoir flank
and rear, which after seven days
of bloody battle, was crowned with
the protection Of Richmond, while
the enemy was driven far from
the city. The speaker referred to
the circumstances attending Gen.
Lees crossing the Potomac and
the march into Pennsylvania. lie
(Mr. Davis) assumed the RESPONSE
bility for that movement. The
enemy had long been concentrat-
ing his forces, and it was evident
that if they continued their stca-
progress, the Confederacy would
be overwhelmed. Our only hope
was to drive them to the defence
of their own capital, we being en-
ablcd in the meantime to reinforce
our shattered army. How we'll
Gen. Lee carried out that danger
Gus experiment need not be told.
Richmond was relieved, the Con-
fedcracy was relieved, and time
was obtaiucd, if other things bad
favored, to reinforce the army.


But, said Mr.. Davis, I shall rot
attempt to review the military
career Of our fallen chieftain. OF
the man: how shall l speak? He
was my friend. and in that word
is included all that | could say OF
any man. His moral qualities
rose to the height Of his genius.