Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-07-07

In l783 this right was established, and each State
in order to preserve sacredy ae possible embodied
TINS principle In their several State Constitution
" the right Of altering, modifying sboIishpp or chang
ing Their several forms of government as they might
see MT" his great principle is tound now in the
CONSTITUTION OF every State stil'in the Federal Union
ana all those that have seeded 1t s thus announced
IN M ass chusetts, in Maine in New York in PenpsyI
wanna, in California, in Kentucky in Illinois, in Viz
gInia, and in all the Southern States
lie l767-three years before the formation cf the
Federal Constltutionthe sovereign State of VIRGINIA
claimed title to, and exercised jurisdiction over the ter
ritory now comprising the States of Kentucky, Ohio
Indiana and Illinois Kentucky with the consent Of
Virginia, created into sovereign State ard was
the first State admitted into the Union after the Fede
raj Constitution was adopted in 1889, up to which
period she part of Virginia-fesh of her flesh
and lone of her bone. But Virginia. in 1887, made
to Der sister States who had fought side by side with
her Wash,ngons and Lees to maintain the principles
of her Jtfesous and Henrye one of the most magniG
cent donations that the world ever witnessed. She
coded to the old hold for the common
beneft-tbe immense domain now embracing the sov-
ereign States of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois
More than this to show the spirit in which this gift
was made and to demonstrate to the other States that
1t was intended for ALL and not for the South for
slavery the only condition attached to the gift was for
the bens ut OF the Northern free States and that
intended to induce their people to immgrate thithf
and epjoy the territory. Virginia stipulated that in
voluntary servitude not exist 10 that TERRITORY
All the States North and South, accepted the donation
with this condition, and thus it that the Moth
| western Territory passed from Virginia to the Old
| Confederation. What State has ever done SO much?
In 1889 the Federal Constitution was formed, Vr
gina, through her James Madison, aiding in its
formation. 1t was submitted 10 her for adoption
s. eng with almost prophetic vision, the dangers that
might attend the experiment and specially from Fed
era encr0achments, Virginia agreed to become u MEN,
Der of the Federal Union, with the cypress reservation
contained in the act Of ADOPTION that she should NTH
drasD at her pleasure. This part and parcel Of
| II hot nod oih otrg
who comprised the Federal Union She was admitted
with this express reservation, and never would have
entered the Union without II. It continued 10 force
while she remained in the UAiOn and was never re-
pealed. The other States accepted her up N this con
dition and were therefore bound by it. Kentucky
then part of Virginia, and in the treaty made b.
tween her and her mother Virginia, she 1ogn'23i all
the laws of Virg MA and among them this reservation.
| In 1893, as Patrick Henry foretold would happen,
the Federal Government begun to encroach upon tie
rights of the States. The Alien and SedltiOn laws Of
the elder Adams were enacted. Virginia took the
alarm ard the State under the lead of MIR. Madison
the father of the Coustitution-euuucGted the great
principles for which she is conendDg-righs that
ahe reserved when she entered the Federal alliance and
which The other States did not then hesitate to conc2e
10 hr.
Virginia then declared the character of the Federal
alliance and the principle OF State sovereignty the
right of sovereign State to Withdraw from the Fede
raj Union, whenever, an her opinion, such Withdrawal
vas essential to her safety and honor.
Kentucky Kentucky of 1798-the daughter Of
Vrginia-the land of the Boones, the Shelbys tie
SCOTS, the Gerrards, the Clarks-the heroes OF the
Revolution, the defenders Of the frontier from savaRe3
Yes, Kentucky Of 1898 stood shoulder to shoulder
with Virginia, in main taining and announcing the
same doctrines OF State sovereignty. Then, tue III
sidous teachings of Federal Juiges, Federal Blk
Attorneys, Yankee Federal Editors and partisns md
not entered Kentucky. Then FEEDER i patronage, Fed.
eral commissioners, Federal contracts and L, d ra
corruption had not corrupted Kentucky polite, ms.
And then, Kentucky statesmen, Kentucky soldiers,
lucky hunters aud Kentucky farmers, all STOOD
by Thomas ferson, in the State rights doctrines
OF 1898; and almost unanimously cast the vote Of tie
State tor him against the elder Adams--the New
e England Federast.
It Now, where is kentucky? And where are Kco-
, tuckians-deScerd mtg of Virginia? Where Is n
diana, Ohio and Illinois, that cay, indehml 10
Z. Virginia tor the institutions they enjoy.
Kenuekian, or native of Kentucky, In the Pre-.
sidentia chair calling upon the people everywhere TO
pray that Virginia may be destroyed, her czous slain
her towns ard cities sacked and her territory degas
ted, because her people are claiming the practical cX
else of express right which was reserved to them by
the common foTeathers Of Virginia and kentucky.-
Natives of Kentucky, upholdug federalism IN IFS O.
forts to destroy State sovereignty and Sate rights
Citizens of Illinois engaged in assisting federalism TO
destroy that principle which is embazoned on the coat
of and broad seal of Illinois, State SoVeG!gE-
ty"
Citizens Of Ohio Indiana, Inois ard Kentucky uP.
holding New EogIand in despoilng Virginia of Ont
half OF her territory by act of Congress directly OF
, posed to the Federal Constitution.
All the States North warning upon their sister Sta c3
for asserting tbs right which each one sacredy cng]
to--the right of self government!
What a commentary upon human consistency what
lesson black federalism is teaching what co0tra5.
between the sacred memories of the past and the horn
BILE realities of the presant. AL all resulting from the
hypocrtical teachings and policy Of New Epg.laI
pietY and patriotism. y
Shall these things continue, or shall they cease AMI