In 1870 as General Lee and many other former Confederates were
meeting together, Union General Rosecrans asked Lee to say a few words on behalf of the Southern people proclaiming how happy they were to be back in the Union. Lee refused…

Rosecrans asked each of the ex-Confederates the same question until he got to Fletcher S. Stockdale, former governor of Texas…here was his reply:

The people of Texas will remain quiet and not again resort to forceful resistance against the Federal Government, whatever may be the measures of that government. But, General Rosecrans, candor requires me to explain the attitude of my people. 

The people to Texas have made up their minds to remain quiet under all aggressions and to have peace; but they have none of the spaniel in their composition. No sir, they are not in the least like the dog that seeks to lick the hand of the man that kicked him; but it is because they are a very sensible, practical, common-sense people and understand their position. They know that they resisted the Federal Government as long as any means of resistance was left and that any attempt at resistance now must be in vain and they have no means and would make bad worse. This is the view of the matter which is going to keep Texas quiet.

At this point General Lee rose from his chair and General Rosecrans took the hint that the meeting was over…”The South Was Right” by the Kennedy Brothers.