Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-04-22
A statesmanlike speeoh.


We are again indebted to Hon. P. Van
Trump Of Ohio for public documents, and
among them bis admirable speech against the
vindic,ive bin known as the Ku-Klux-amea-
sure which gives authority to the President to
suspend DE writ Of 6ebeas corpus in time Of
resce NJ VA, Pump, in referring to the
fourth section Of the JiIl, justly characterises it
ascubolyius " tlemostcompreheusiyc scheme
Of dcspotism. the most gigantic exhibition Of
lie ouc-man power ever attempted to be inau-
eurated IN a country Of written constitutions.
The mind is appalled, at its bolduess and mag
uitude."
We often have cause to regret that the limits
Of weekly sheet prevent us from presenting
to our readers the whcle of an able constitu-
tioual argument such as that now before US.
We can only give few paragraphs; and in
doing this we feel proud of the author as a
member Of The printing fraternity,-one who
distinguished himself as an editor, and who as
a lawyer, judge and statesman, has maintained
high rank among the gifted men of bis State
and nation.
1Ir. Speaker, l should like to know, and the
country will want to know, what sudden
emergency, what change in tic temper and
conduct of vast majority Of the southern peo-
pie. from what Il was when General Grant
himself, as specified commissioner, certified TO
the quiet and peaceful disposition Of the south
crn people has given rise 70 this abrupt iegis-
latiyc f,ror 20 punish aud Cypress whole mas
ses Of law abiding citizens Is there to be no
limit TO your vengeance? Is there to be no
end to hatred and persecution Are these
southern people TO be hunted down like the
CamcronianS and COvonanters of the last cen
tury? Is punishment and not amnesty, re-
vonge and not mercy, to be your policy for
all time 20 come Mr.. Speaker, is it just as
men. is it charitable as Christians. is It wise as
statesman. by solemn legislation thus 70 keep
alive all the passions and all the prciudices Of
of great civil war, brought about by bad men
and bad c0uuscls on both sides of the coutro-
ycrsy Was that tle FIRST rebellion which has
ever existed I'm the history Of the civilized gov
eminent. and therefore TO be remembered with
a peculiar tcnacity, aud punished with uu-
hearjof penalties, involving the innocent as
wei. as The guilty
Shall we, Mr.. Speaker, as the custodians Of
: She highest tyne Of constitutional liberty. as
the opponents Of The most perfect system Of
political rights aud political duties ever framed
by the ingenuity Of man, all at once sink be-
low the moral standard Of the ancient heather?
Shall the rude worshipcrs ofauoicnt Jupiter or
the twin gods, Castor and PolluX, excel rs in
clemercy, iu mercy, and in Christian charity
as the wggshpeys Of the one living aud true
God Sir there IS one passage Oh the page Of
hcat-c on history worthy Of being the cXomplar
Of Christianity. Livy relates the first Instance
Of secession recorded In the annals OF history.
The patriciGr Senate Of Rome passed a most
oppressive law, not tariff sir, or a personal
liberty biil but @ statute imposing impris1u-
uolt for debt aC0ius, the pleb,1u CitiZcus.-
This lruc, law created great discomfort among
the commons ot the city as well as the prov
iUcCs, and large section seeded from the
government Of Rome and Joined themselves to
the sympathIziug army of Campauia. The
metropolitan lcgi0us, under the command Of
the Consul Nalerius. marched out to give bat
tie % the rebels, who were posted In strong
force outside the city. As the two armies APP
preached each other so that they could distin-
euish the arms and the familiar standards Of
their common country, hatred at once gave
place 90 love and tenderness. They stood
gazing at each other in mute but deep emotion,
until. when sympathy of race, of common
brotherhood, and Of common glory lad over
come every hostile feeling, they iuyolu.tarily
threw down their weapons, rushed into each
others arms. and order and peace and har-
mouy was again restored amid the tears and
s.bs audi rcj7.ciugs of the whole glad people
OF Rome,
Mr. Speaker. would we be any worse Chris
tiaus. or any less good citizens 10y initiating
thi, noble example SEQ Iy heathcus more than
two Thousand years ago.