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ter of General Thomas there were no secret places of which his friends will ever be ashamed.

But his career is ended. Struck dead at his post of duty, a bereaved nation bore his honored dust across the continent, and laid it to rest on the banks of the Hudson, amidst the tears and grief of millions. The nation stood at his grave as a mourner. No one knew until he was dead how strong was his hold on the hearts of the American people. Every citizen felt that a pillar of state had fallen, - that a great and true and pure man had passed from earth.

There are no fitting words in which I may speak of the loss which every member of this Society has sustained in his death. The General of the Army has beautifully said, in his order announcing the death of Thomas: "Though he leaves no child to bear his name, the old Army of the Cumberland, numbered by tens of thousands, called him Father, and will weep for him in tears of manly grief."

To us, his comrades, he has left the rich legacy of his friendship. To his country and to mankind, he has left his character and his fame as a priceless and everlasting possession.

"O iron nerve to true occasion true,

O fallen at length that tower of strength

Which stood four-square to all the winds that blew !

"His work is done,

But while the races of mankind endure,

Let his great example stand

Colossal, seen of every land,

And keep the soldier firm, the statesman pure :

Till in all lands and through all human story
The path of Duty be the way to Glory."

THE edition of this Oration published by the author contains Appendices from A to I inclusive, making fourteen pages. Only those relating to General R. E. Lee need appear here.

I.

November 19, 1870.

DEAR GENERAL, I give you the following from memory, having never made any written note of it before.

It must have been about, if not upon, the 19th of April, 1861, that Colonel R. E. Lee, First U. S. Cavalry, then staying at Arlington, came

to General Scott's office, opposite the War Department, in Washington, in obedience to a message from the General that he desired to see him. I was the only person present during the interview. General Scott spoke for about fifteen minutes, the substance of his remarks being that it was time Lee should clearly define his position upon the question which was causing many Southern officers to resign from the United States Army; that he had probably already made up his mind, but that he should weigh well the consequence; that the cause of the Southern people against the North could not possibly terminate in favor of the former, and should it fail, the result must be disastrous to those officers who left the army to join the South.

Lee listened in silence, and at last replied briefly: "General, I must go with my native State in what she decides to be best. My children all own property in Virginia; all that we have is there. I cannot raise my children."

hand against my

The interview then terminated, and Lee sent in his resignation the next day, April 20, 1861.

GENERAL GARFIELD, M. C.

Yours truly,

E. D. TOWNSEND.

II.

WASHINGTON, D. C., November 21, 1870.

DEAR GENERAL, I send you the following information, drawn from the records in the Adjutant-General's office.

R. E. Lee recorded his name in the Adjutant-General's office, March 5, 1861, as Brevet Colonel and Lieutenant-Colonel Second Cavalry. Address, Arlington; with the remark, "Under orders from Department of Texas."

R. E. Lee was confirmed by the Senate as Colonel First Cavalry, March 23, 1851. Date of commission, March 25, 1861, to rank from March 10, 1861. Commission forwarded to him at Arlington, Va., March 28, 1861, and its receipt acknowledged and accepted by him March 30, 1861. April 20, 1861, by letter from Arlington, R. E. Lee tenders his resignation as Colonel First Cavalry. Received by General Scott the same day, and sent to the Adjutant-General. Submitted to General Cameron, Secretary of War, April 24, 1861, and accepted by him the next day, April 27, 1861. He was informed at Richmond of the acceptance, by the President, of his resignation, to take effect April 25, 1861.

In the letter of tender of resignation, no reason given.

Fitzhugh Lee records his name at the Adjutant-General's office as Second Lieutenant First Cavalry, May 1, 1861, with the remark, “On

seven days' leave from West Point," at Washington. May 16, 1861, tenders his resignation. Address, Richmond. Resignation submitted to General Cameron, Secretary of War, May 21, 1861, and accepted by him.

I have the honor to be, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant, L. THOMAS,

GENERAL J. A. GARFIELD, Washington, D. C.

Brigadier-General U. S. Army.

III.

ARLINGTON, VA., April 20, 1861.

GENERAL, Since my interview with you, on the 18th instant, I have felt that I ought not longer to retain my commission in the army. I therefore tender my resignation, which I request you will recommend for acceptance. It would have been presented at once but for the struggle it has cost me to separate myself from the service to which I have devoted all the best years of my life and all the ability I possessed.

-

During the whole of that time; - more than a quarter of a century, I have experienced nothing but kindness from my superiors, and the most cordial friendship from my comrades. To no one, General, have I been so much indebted as to yourself for uniform kindness and consideration, and it has always been my ardent desire to merit your approbation. I shall carry to the grave the most grateful recollections of your kind consideration, and your name and fame will always be dear

to me.

Save in defence of my State, I never desire to draw my sword. Be pleased to accept my most earnest wishes for the continuance of your happiness and prosperity, and believe me most truly yours,

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT,
Commanding United States Army.

R. E. LEE.

IV.

HEADQUARTERS, RICHMOND, April 23, 1861.

GENERAL ORDERS, No. I.

In obedience to orders from His Excellency, John Letcher, Governor of the State, Major-General Robert E. Lee assumes command of the military and naval forces of Virginia.

[Signed,]

R. E. LEE,

Major-General.

V.

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ARLINGTON, VA., April 20, 1861.

MY DEAR SISTER, — I am grieved at my inability to see you. I have been waiting for a more convenient season," which has brought to many before me deep and lasting regret. Now we are in a state of war, which will yield to nothing. The whole South is in a state of revolution, into which Virginia, after a long struggle, has been drawn; and though I recognize no necessity for this state of things, and would have forborne and pleaded to the end for redress of grievances, real or supposed, yet in my own person I had to meet the question whether I would take part against my native State. With all my devotion to the Union, and the feeling of loyalty and duty of an American citizen, I have not been able to make up my mind to raise my hand against my relatives, my children, my home. I have therefore resigned my commission in the army, and, save in defence of my native State, with the hope that my poor services will never be needed, I hope I may never be called on to draw my sword.

I know you will blame me; but you must think as kindly of me as you can, and believe that I have endeavored to do what I thought right. To show you the feeling and struggle it cost me, I send a copy of my letter to General Scott, which accompanied my letter of resignation. I have no time for more.

VOL. I.

43

R. E. LEE.

THE RIGHT TO ORIGINATE REVENUE

BILLS.

SPEECH DELIVERED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, MARCH 3, 1871.

Ar the third session of the Forty-first Congress, there arose a constitutional question affecting the rights of the two houses. January 26, 1871, the Senate passed a bill abolishing the income tax (the limit of which had been December 31, 1869, but which had been extended by the act of July 14, 1870). The House immediately returned the bill, accompanied by this resolution: "Resolved, That Senate Bill No. 1083, to repeal so much of the act approved July 14, 1870, entitled 'An Act to reduce Internal Taxes, and for other Purposes,' as continues the income tax after the 31st day of December, 1869, be returned to that body, with the respectful suggestion on the part of the House that section seven of article one of the Constitution vests in the House of Representatives the sole power to originate such measures." The Senate asked conference upon the point of difference, which was that of the respective rights of the houses concerning revenue bills, and this the House of Representatives granted.

The Senate and House committees could not agree, and each made a report sustaining the right and position of the body that had appointed it. The report of the House conferees closed with this resolution: "Resolved, That the House maintains that it is its sole and exclusive privilege to originate all bills directly affecting the revenue, whether such bills be for the imposition, reduction, or repeal of taxes; and in the exercise of this privilege in the first instance to limit and appoint the ends, purposes, considerations, and limitations of such bills, whether relating to the matter, manner, measure, or time of their introduction, subject to the right of the Senate to propose or concur with amendments, as in other bills." The House agreed to the report of its committee. Pending this report, at the very end of the session, Mr. Garfield obtained leave to print the speech which time and the business before the House did not enable him to deliver.

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