Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-03-03

INCREASINGLY for their liberties; to remember
that the sword had never yet killed vital
principle, Towing to our ignorance of the
law. we are compelled to omit many of the
convincing arguments of these two speeches,
which, for the display of deep research and
logical ability, surpassed anything we have
ever heard.
All eyes were now turned upon an elderly
man, who left his place. and advancing to the
front of the speakers chair, thus addressed
the occupant:
"Sir-The eloquent gentlemen preceding
me. have described in such effective terms
the sufferings under which the Republic lam
guishes. that it would seem superhuous to add
another word. But ere liberty, outraged and
insulted. takes her final flight to the noun
tains and is deaf to the prayer of mankind,
I wish to enter my indignant protest against
the black deeds of her betrayers. In the
performance of such duty, am cbeered by
the concurrence of you all-friends as we'll
as former opponents.
"Mr. President, am not surprised at the
woes of our unhappy posterity-although In
bitterness of spirit, deplore them. That
party which your moderation kept within
bounds and whose mactinations | endeavored
to suppress during the eight years of my ad-
ministration of public affairs, taking advan>
tage of certain adventitous events, hath gath
cred head aud broke into corruption.
GA set of political adventures, acting out
side of the pale of the constitution, have
usurped the powers delegated by the States
to the general government, reduced them to
servitude, and in their mad desire for power,
are striking fatal blows at the Judicial and
Executive Departments. Having, by their
high-handed measures, forced the Southern
States to assert their reserved rights, they
denied the existence of such aud plunged the
country into civil war, thus making the at
tempt to perpetuate union, not of love-. but
compulsi0n. We all know what has been
the result-overcome by superior numbers
the Southern States threw down their arms
but instead of being admitted to their places
in the Republic they are held as conquered
provinces. And, sir, the people have been
led, hoodwinked, from their principles to
such degree as to be blinded to the fact
that this usurpation of power over Virginia
and her sister States establishes precedent
which may be reproduced against thom.-
They will not see that this spirit of encroach-
ment, this tendency to consolidation must
end in the overthrow of republican princl-
ples-in dictator. | affirmed long ago, and
time has proved it, that a party existed in
this country whose adherents would sap the
Republic by fraud, if they could not by force,
to erect monarchy in its place. Both have
been employed, and with malignant cunning
has this faction in protean shape worked out
its fell design. In the disguise of freedom,
with the battle cry of liberty, equality. it sue
cecded in dividing this Republic, and now,
inflated with success, it is undermining every
principle of constitutional liberty, every OBJ
stacle which bars the accomplishment of its
purpose"
The speaker then reviewed the history of
the formation of the Federal government,
the powers delegated to it by the States-the
rights which they rescrved-boldly ADVOCATED
the doctrine Of secession as one of them
citing the action of Massachusetts, during
the embargo in 1903, also the New Haven
Convention. to show that the very States
which aided in the subjugntion of the South
when self interest demanded it, claimed the
same privilege.
lie then adyerted to the attempt to force
negro suffrage on the southern people, and
denounced it in scathing terms "a foul
weapon by which civilization, law and 1iber-
ty would receive their death wounds. But,
sir" he continued, notwithstanding the,
woeful picture l have drawn, as long as Vir-
giniaDs live, as long as our blood flows i'll
their veins and warns their hearts, some rem
nants of freedom and justice may be pre-
served from the wreck which malice and en-
Wy and usurpatiOn have made. l have anx-
iously watched the course of my mother
State, and I am proud to say, that though
beggared, disarmed and PROSTATE, by no vol
untary act has she dishonored those princi
pies which are her proudest inheritance. and
which from youth to age have made her re.
cord glorious Although beset by the dragons
and foul iends of oppression, like sanity
chastity. she hath 'kepsunpoluted the tenn
pie of her mind and honor still abides.
My heart kindles with pride at this spirit of
endurance evinced by Virginia, and I am
here to give words encouragement, of TO coun-
sci her never to succumb to the base schem-
ers who plot her disgrace and enthralment.
Hedged in by bayonets, mock conventions
may prescribe test, oaths, negro suffrage and
reputation of articles of democratic faith,
but when the poisoned chalice is offered let
her spurn it from her lips; let every official
act of the people of Virginia be declaration
of independence. Though wounded by Che
poisoned darts of this Radical Hercules, let
them bear in mind that Virginia is immor>
tal-that slowly gathering strength, she will
one day assert her rights and in proud tri
umph wear that emblem which symbolizes
her as the champion of the. oppressed. Sir,
have prepared"
Just at this moment, when every heart was thrill!
ed by the earnest words of the speaker, the tall
backwoodsman, whose ear seemed to have caught
some distant sound, said in loud voice:
"Mr. President, must interrupt the gentleman
to announce that hear the tread of armed men ap
preaching. Some sreak has reported our presence
here, ,.and unless resolve plan of action,
we shall be surprised and captured. The only wea-
pons amongst us arc the Colonel's sword and my
gun-shall we make a stard for our lives?"
Being sufficiently onstructed'' not to desire
to be caught with rebels, and thereby become an
inmate of the Libby" we thought it best at this
juncture to beat retreat, which accordingly
did. Upon reaching the door. we lookcd back to
what action had been taken by the President,
when to our horror found that both lights and
men had disaPpeared-evaporated in thin air as it
would seem. Covered with cold persPiIaIion. we
Gray dawn was just breaking in the East we
hurriedly traversed the square, and nothing in hu