New-York tribune., 1869-06-05
OLD VIRGINIA.

The following extract from a private letter, writ
ten by an old-fashoned States Rights Qate Rebel
Vrginan TO his friend in this City, embodies the
average Conservative" sentiment of that State as
modified by the progress Of events and will there
fore be found interesting:
RICHMOND. Va, AprIl 2J.-T have thought much at
intervals OF the conversation we have had m Raleigh IN
regard TO political matters touching Virginia. |
think t would be well II Intelligent aud honest men
OF tho North and south, not connected 1S ed win ,ra
QuoutlY meet I'm friendly Intercourse and communicate
their views 10 each other. was as You know, much
gratlhed by the sentiments and feelings which you cN
pressed toward but was not little surprised To learn
that our position was so inadequatey understood. 10
occurred TO that returning home would take oc.
cason In public manner tO state the substance or
our interviews and 10 explain the ground on winch we
stand but professional duties have rendered that impos
sblc. My position Is, and has ever been since the
that the question as to the true theory OF to nature
OF the Federal Government and IT'S relations TO the States
was definitely decided by the arbramcnt of arms and
that II becomes all good citizens everywhere not merely
10 acquescc In that decision but 20 accept It's result IN
good faith. and act accordingly The Judgment OF the
Supreme Court OF the United states IN tho prize cases
Qs6, ana the sanction given TO by the surrender at
AppomatoN. settled the point that the several states
were not sovereign and independent, having general
Government to execute delegated and limited powers as
a agent, but that tho people OF the territorial
districts, called States constituted one sovereign Nation
the supreme power Of which was lodged by the COns
tuition of the United States In tho Federal Government;
that that Government had constitutional ghI 10 maze
war upon the socaled states TO compel thelr
obedience TO It's supremacy; and IT necessarily
followed in my Judgment, as legal conclusion
that the Federal armies made progress ~ thelr lGY9
erato governments, the South necessarily ana right
fully held In subugaon to military government untll
what called State governments could be regularly
formed which would he in harmony with the new order
OF things Whether IL was the province OF the PRESIDENT
Congress TO direct the manner In which this should be
done was question Of grave difficulty, upon which tho
Constitution threw light, ns t was obviously con
tingenCy not In the contemplation or ITS trainers.
Upon the nOw-established theory or tho nature
OF the Federal Government and Its relations
10 the States it seemed TO me at the time
that all that the President could legmatcly do
was 10 civil order under the supeintendence or
the military by authorizing the formation or local pro
vsonal governments for the administration or the laws
subject 20 the approval of Congress nud that ~ was as
much within the constitutional power or congress 10
prescrbe the terms and mode of the establishment OF
socaed governments in the South as IN any Ter
ritory belonging the United States acquired Dy arms
Hence without having given the acts OF Congress upon
tho subject particular examination have never oeeh
disposed 10 think that they were In such opposition 10
10 tho Constitution under the established cohslIue
tlon thereof aforesaid, as many persons NORTH 1tu m
South earnestly believe The power 70 make var anu 10
conclude peace ana to pass all laws necessary nd proper
10 carry their powers into effect, comehehued III NY
mind the whole subject OF legislation suitable 10 lho eN
geucrs of the case, of which the discretion OF congress
must bO the tuUl Judge. And these views are III shte
harmony with the principles OF construction stItie1 ny
numerous decisions OF tho supreme Court OF tne lt'u
States uado long before tho war; toucng aCls o. No
prcss passed undcr other clauses OF the constitution
waa and am In favor Of speedy aud tiul lecOnStthe
ton state the bass VI the leKSatlOA OL SoR