But the course of this peaceful and happy life was not to run thus
smoothly to the end. Dark and threatening clouds of war soon lowered
upon our land, and the political conflicts and antagonisms, which had
grown in intensity and bitterness with the flight of years, ripened into
civil war in 1861. The crisis then arrived when the appeal to arms was
inevitable, and with it the necessity that all men should decide whether
allegiance was first due to the State or General Government. There were
honest differences of opinion on this question, which had existed from
the very foundation of the Republic.

He was connected by blood with a long line of illustrious men, who had
borne a conspicuous part in the events which led to the declaration of
American independence and the establishment of this constitutional
Government. It was Richard Henry Lee who offered in the Continental
Congress, in June, 1776, that stirring resolution which proclaimed to
the world "that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be,
free and independent States; that they are absolved from all allegiance
to the British Crown; and that all political connection between them and
Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved."

It was his own grandfather, known in history as "Light-Horse Harry Lee,"
who, in the long struggle which followed this bold declaration, struck
such sturdy blows for the liberties and rights of his countrymen as
caused him to receive the special commendation of George Washington, of
whom in turn he uttered those memorable words: "First in war, first in
peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." Bearing a name thus
associated with all the glorious achievements of the past, it was but
natural that he should have felt an ardent attachment to the Union. But
he was a son of Virginia, "where American liberty raised its first voice