“The first night of my freedom? Never shall I forget its agonies.”
“I rejoice to hear it. Those agonies were safer, more acceptable to God, than the comforts of self-will.”
“My father, if my will ensnares me, lay open the snare—I say not for the sake of my soul only—but for far, far more—for the sake of my children, for the sake of my race, for the sake of the glory of God in His dealings with men, bring me back if I stray.”
“Well. Explain—explain what you propose.”
“I cannot remain in an army opposed to what are now the legal rights of the blacks.”
“You will give up your command?”
“I shall.”
“And your boys—what will you do with them?”
“Send them whence they came for the present. I shall dismiss them by one road, while the resignation of my rank goes by another.”
“And you yourself by a third.”