Colonel Lee was in Texas when that State seceded from the Union, and he was immediately called to Washington, where he wes offered by President Lincoln the command of the Army of the United States. Writing of the incident later he said: "I declined the offer he made to me to take command of the army that was to be brought into the field, stating, candidly and courteously as 1 could, that, though opposed to secession and deprecating war, I could take no part in an invasion of, the Southern States." In all of our history we have no finer example of devotion to principle than this man, a soldier by profession, declining the highest rank and the most important command that his government could offer. And why? Because of loyalty—loyalty to, his State, loyalty to his people—and because. the. army and progress of mankind. If the Union is dissolved and the government disrupted I shall return to|7 my native State and share the miserjes of my people and, save in defence, will draw my sword on none."
And' Acceptance of Defeat A few days after his arrival in Richmond, Colonel Lee was placed in command of the military forces of Virginia with the rank of Major and a month later was joned by the Confederate Government. I will not tire you with even a reference to the cam-signs that followed during the next. four years. Suffice it to say that litary genius alone made it ible for the South to continue the war that long against the much greater resources of both men and supplies of the North. His great ability made him the outstanding military figure of the Civil War and stamped him as one of the greatest leaders of all history. When finally, after a struggle that excited the admiration of the world, ppomatox found his half starved and depleted army without supplies, equipment or replacements, General Lee refused to break it up. into guerrilla bands to prolong a. hopeless conflict and philosophically accepted, the inevitable outcome. story furnishes us with no greater example of heroism than. that of General Lee in accepting defeat and turning his energies to the task of healing the wounds soothing the passions of his people and reuniting the country under one flag. Although impoverished by the war, he refused wealth and places of honour in service abroad and again heeded the call to duty, this time as President of Washington College in Virginia, now known as Washington and' Lee Univer position he held until his death can be truly said that in which General Lee waged his spotless character, philosophy in defeat, and his endeavour to heal the breach once Jthe conflict was over, had more to do with ultimate reunion than any. other cause.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.