The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-10-05
The Cavalier Theory Historically sIfted.

We referred q few days ago 10 the hlstori-
cal unsoundness of the conceit and fancy
which have long prevailed among certain
classes of the southern people, that claims an
aristocratic or noble" origin for the controll-
ing sentiment and leaders in public affairs in
the south, and for the characteristics of our
people as displayed in their ideas in their
private and public conduct Weshowed that
the few titled persons in the south never ex-
ercised any weight or influence in the direc-
ton OF the affairs and policy of the state, or
in the formation of the character and direc-
ton of the conduct OF the people, that the
cavaliers of Virginia were arrant humbugs,
who were discarded aud despised by the PEG
pie and disappeared with the success of the
revolution of l766, and that it is sheer weak
ness or Stiffness to pretend that the popula-
tiOn which achieved the independence of
these states sprung from the effete and de-
feated followers and supporters of the cor.
rupt, treacherous and frivolous Stuarts.-
This people have higher and moro honora-
bic lineage. They are the descendants of
those "low born mechanics, traders laborers
and small farmers who so excited the disgust
OF the cavaliers by setting themselves up
against an annointed king and titled aristoc
racy. These were the men whom Patrick
Henry rallied and George Washington led to
victory and independence, 1t was this event
the adoption OF their cause by his protege,
George Washington which led Lord Fair
fax, the wealthiest and most potent noble
man in England, and a relative of the most
illustrlous of the name, who was a leader of
the Puritan army in the early days of the
Cromwellian revolution, to take to his bed
and shortly afterwards depart this life from
very disgust, on herring that the respectable
young land surveyor, whom he had given
employment, had accepted the leadership of
"a herd of Ignorant Doors" who had under
taxed to overthruw the government of law
tul king, of lords and gentlemen
1t may serve to illustrate the truth of our
historical position on this subject and e.
show how little OF justice there Is IN the pre-
tension, that the prominent leaders In the
late rebellion in the south were of cavalier or
or arlstocratlc origin, to refer to some of the
prominent chiefs in the political movement
in Virginia, prior to and during the revolu,
ton of l176, whose descendants have figured
in the recent war
During the revolution o l776, when Pat
rick Henry was governor Of Virginia he was
authorized and requested by the House q
Burgesses TO constitute and appoint com
mlttee OF vigilance, composed OF the most ca
pable and noteworthy citizens, TO direct the
people and propose all measures which they,
IN their wisdom might consider conducive "a
their interest and the defence of their Fights
and liberties. This committee was composed
OF tho following worthless Peyton Randolph,
George Mason, Ludwell Lee Joseph Csbell.
George Mercer, Edmund PendIeuon. IL is a
remarkable coincidence that each one of these
eminent men, with the single exception OF
George Mason, who was the ancestor OF j as.
VI. Mason the confederate Commissioner TO
London, as Patrick Henry was OF the late con-
tederate senator, from Tennessee, was the
progenItcr OF a general in the confederate
service
The late confederate secretary of war. al
forwards brIgadIer IN the confederate ar
my, was a descendant of Peyton Randolph,
As General Robert +. Lee was Of Ludwell
Lee. Brig. Gen. Cabeii, who was captured
with Marmaduke by General PieAsauJon In
Missouri during the late war, was the grand
son of Joseph Cabell Cnet Justice Pendle-
ton was the progenitor of Major General and
Rev. Pendieton the highest officer IN the ar
tlilery Of tle confederate army, and Brig.
Gen. Mercer, who was for some time com
msnder of the confederate forces at Savannah,
descendant of the Mercer OF the vigil
ance committee. HIS distinguished relative.
the General Mercer who was killed at the
battle Of Princeton in the old revoiuti1u, was
a druggist, who kept a store in Fredericks.
burg, Virginia. Has sons residence. on the
e. by the balls of Burnslde's batteries, on the
18th OF December, 1862.
These men were all of the class of respect
able farmers. tradesmen, or professional,
self raised men, who had as little of the min
g!ed audacity and servility, the reckless ex-
travagance and brag -adOcia Of the cavalier,
as any other class on this continent. They
were men who cheerfully and confdinlgy fol
lowed the lead OF the Irish keeper OF a cross
roads grocery, who was the orator, the Mira
beau OF the revolution and of the ardent and
enthusiastic young democrat, son Of 6 small
farmer. whose eloquent exposition aud de-
fence of the rights OF man and OF self govern
ment won for him the title of Apostle OF Lib
erty, and who were proud to send their sons
70 battle tor independence under the chief
tainship OF the druggist General Mercer; the
WAGNER. General Morgan; and the horse
trader General William Washington. There
was little of the cavalier character and spirit
about these men, a1d their descendants OF
the sO-cailed first families exhibit little sense.
taste, or respect for their ancestors in setting
up these preposterous and ridiculous claims
30 an aristocratic origin and lneage.-Nep
Orleans Picdyune.
The election in Connecticut, Yesterday,
resulted in the defeat of the constitutional am-
n h., Ia