Page:Confederate Portraits.djvu/143

 most part, bore slights and unkindnesses in a charitable and Christian spirit. Thus, he declares himself ready to serve when and where he may be required to do so: "I know not yet to what point I shall be ordered. . . . However, L'homme propose et Dieu dispose; hence, I shall go with alacrity wherever I am ordered." 23 Instead of scolding Seddon, as most generals were too prone to do, Beauregard recognized the immense difficulties. "In conclusion I can but express my thanks to the Honorable Secretary of War for his good intentions to assist us here. I feel convinced that, so far as he is concerned, we can rely upon him." 24 And again: "I can well understand the perplexities of Mr. Seddon's position." 25 While the following touch is so noble as to outweigh many bitter words and harsh judgments [italics mine]: "Why will not those in authority do promptly what should be done? This reflection I apply also to myself." 26

The truth is, the man was a genuine patriot, however his patriotism may have been mixed with earthly strain, as in all of us. To be sure, the story of his conduct during the few days of his superintendency at West Point, as General Schaff tells it, is not exactly pretty. When Southern cadets consulted him as to the proper course to pursue, the answer was: "Watch me, and when I jump, you jump. What's the use of jumping too soon?" 27 But those months were a time when decisions were difficult. The best of men, in such a crisis, need to be judged sympathetically, if not leniently. Once enlisted in the war,