"Hurrah for the Confederate Congress," shouted Stuart—"the first signs of brains they've shown in many a day—"
He caught himself at a glance from Rives.
"Excuse me, Senator—I didn't mean quite that."
Lee fixed Rives with his brilliant eyes.
"The Confederate Congress has no authority to declare & Dictatorship."
"We have."
"By what law?"
"By the law of necessity, sir. The civil government in Richmond has become a farce. I acknowledge it sorrowfully. Your soldiers are ill clothed, half starved, and the power to recruit your ranks is gone. The people have lost faith in their civil leaders. Disloyalty is rampant. In the name of ultra State Sovereignty, treason is everywhere threatening. Soldiers are taken from your army by State authorities on the eve of battle. Men are deserting in droves and defy arrest. You have justly demanded the death penalty for desertion. It has been denied. Bands of deserters now plunder, burn and rob as they please. You are our only hope. You are the idol of our people. At your call they will rally. Men will pour into your ranks, and we can yet crush our enemies, or invade Mexico as you may decide."
"He's right, General," Gordon agreed. "The South will stand by you to a man."
Alexander added with deep reverence: