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Virginia Secession Convention, April 1861
President of Convention:
So that in the midst of the searching of souls and the gnashing of teeth... ...the delegates of this convention... ...harried by the actions of a belligerent usurper and the radicals of his party... ...have stumbled into secession.
Now God knows, I and many in this room have resisted it. But how could there be union with a section of the country... ...that wants to impose its will through coercion?
Now that Virginia confronts the armed might of the United States... ...we Virginians have determined that not one spot of her sacred soil... ...be polluted by the foot of an invader.
Now, in the memory of that great Virginian, George Washington... ...who was first in the hearts of his countrymen and calling also... ...upon the memory of his own gallant father, General Light-Horse Harry Lee... ...this convention now calls upon Robert Edward Lee to take command... ...of the armed forces of the Citizen Army of Virginia.
Lee:
Mr. President, gentlemen of the convention... ...I'm profoundly impressed by the solemnity of the occasion... ...for which I must say I was not prepared.
I accept the position assigned me by your partiality.
I would have much preferred had your choice fallen on an abler man.
But trusting to Almighty God, an approving conscience... ...and the aid of my fellow citizens... ...I devote myself to the service of my native state... ...in whose behalf alone will I ever again draw my sword..
Last edited on Sun Jun 21st, 2009 07:11 pm by borderuffian