The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-05-30
TUESDAY EVENING, MAY 80, 1871.

but disingenuously, to unsay Tor the ex-
leader of the moribund Confederscy, what
he 50 carefully uttered for himself and his
sdherents, at Augusta. The language OF
Mr.. Davis was too plain for the sophistry
of the Dispatch to soften or disguise for
in terms he asserts, that although the ar
mics of the rebellion are crushed and
scattered, they are not dsbanded, the
principles for which they fought are still
believed to be just and right, and that the
time is not far distant when through other
agencies than armed cohorts in the field
(probably the ubiquitous and numerous
Ku-klux) they will be redeemed
from defeat and triumph over the
principles which asserted their supremacy
by the agency Of the "Boys in Blue. =
And that there should be no misconception
as to his opinions, Mr.. Davis significantly
adds he could, and only wished he dared
say more, but prudence forbade.
The Dispatch would gloze over these
notable utterances, and tells us Mr.. Davis
referred to general questions of constitu-
tional nature; in other words, to his ardent
desire to restore the Constitution, as ii 'cds;
but the language will not bear even that
misconstruction, for he plainly stated, he
alluded to the principles which were rep
resented by the Confederacy.
What those principles were, is not left
for Mr.. Davis to tell US. Alexander Fl.
Stevens, his late colleague, and the able
historian of the war, from Southern
standpoint, asserted, as the honored and
acknowledged mouthpiece Of the Confede
racy, that the cardinal principle was to
found an empire, the corner of which was
to be human slavery: not because slavery
existed, and the black man was an element
of property, recognized as such by law
and custom in the seeding States, and
numbering more polls than could safely
be enfranchised, or even freed but because'
believing slavery right, on the ground that
"capital should own labor" the leaders OF
the Confederacy desired to fasten their
manacles upon all, both white and black,
who did not belong to their charmed circle
of slave-owners. This was the alpha and
omega of tho principles upon which the
Confederacy was based, which formed its
cornerstone and cap-stone.
The constitution to be restored to its
pristine glory and perfection by Davis
and his ex-Confederates No, Mr.
Dispatch, we do not send for de-
feated burglars to repair the locks and
bars they have unsuccessfully attempted
to break through, and only succeeded in
damaging and the people of these United
States, which are united, in spite of Mr.
Davis and his confederates, will never take
counsel of him or them, no matter in what
guise they present themselves and tender
their services. A celebrated French lady
remarked of Louis Napoleon, when he wa.
lin the Davis vein) protesting the mos
profound respect for the Constitution, he
was surely undermining and making ex-
travagant promises, (also in the Davis
vsln) what be would do to restore and up.
hold it, "He reminds me of an incendiary
turned fireman." Louis Napoleon was
believed which is more than we Intend
to accord Mr.. Davis or any of his constitu
tion-saving confederates and let smoking
bloody, and ruined Paris tell the terrible
story of his efforts as constitution saver
We remember too well, Mr.. Davis, your
efforts to uphold the constitution by apply.
ing the torch at Hampton, Chambersburg
Richmond, your attempt at New York
your orders at other places, which your
better spirited subordinates refused tt
execute, while you were flying from thi'
city with gold-not your own. No, Mr.
Dispatch, you need not apologize for Mr.
Davis, his record as constitutional up
holder is too we'll known, too deeply burned
into our recollection. We are slowly ex-
tinguishing the incendiary fires he and YOU
kindled, and we need not your counsel OF
aid as fremen.
To all lovers of country, and peace
without which country is but name
these NAL adron words of Mr.. Davis are
pregnant with meaning, and especially SO
when the Dispatch itself takes alarm, be-
cause it considers them not wrong, but
premature, ill-timed. They show clearly
that the "irrepressible conflict" between
two enduring forces--liberty and slavery
is not yet ended and if, as Davis an
nounces, he still hopes to lead his defend
ers of slavery to victory, it behooves every
defender of liberty to be watchful, and
prepared at any moment to oppose the at
tacks of open foes, or the insidious adj.
yances of secret enemies.
And if these warnings should cause the
laboring classes, who were nominally free.
men before Davis undertook to save the
constitution (?) by plunging the country
into fratricidal war, to take heed for
themselves; what effect should they have
upon those whose shackles of body and