The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-10-30

NO. IW.
in old Virginia, who has contributed 80 large
" to the whole country, there Is now going
on bitter struggle as TO whether the grand
old Commonwealth shall be able to free her
self from the dominion OF the, African and
his baser white allies. =, = s''"5 I,
We are met to take counsel together un-
der these circumstances-to yindicate our
cause and our martyred dead, and to show
to the world that these men were not trai.
tors. ,,-. No. 4, :. ~ @,t,.,...,..@ - ,y.
He explained in some detail the objects OF
the Society, and said that it appeals to all
southern men and (by the galantry of the
president, General Early, } to all women, too,
to unite for these important objects. ,,ss,
He paid most touchingly eloquent tri-
butte to the women of the South and their
work during the War-eyery home where
there was woman containing o sister Of
charity-and spoke of their noble mission in
teaching our children the truth Of history.
He spoke ably and earnestly of the ephe.
neral character of military success, and in
sisted that principle and truth will yet tri-
umph. +,
He then took most hopeful view Of the
future, and cited apt illustrations from his
tory to show that prosperity and peace may
yet come to bless our ISOLATED southern
land
Yet whatever fate betides-as equals in
the government or as inferiors-he would
exhort our people to acfuit themselves like
men. "Do your duty and leive results to
Cod" and we viii yet be prosperous,
happy, and free.
We regret that we cannot give a fuller
report Of General Hampton's noble address,
which was frequently interrupted with en-
thusiastic applause.
General Early then appropriately intro
duced Rev. DR.. Curry, whose address (as it
related chiefly to the ciUiL history of the
Conlederacy) we report very fully:
ADDRESS OF REV. DIR. CURRY.
Sallust, In the introduction to one Of his
works, complains of the want Of associated
effort Tor the collection and preservation of
the materials Of history, and says that to in
dividual enterprise was left the duty of
gathering and pcrpetuatipg the memorials of
the past. 1t is quite common for historians
to lament the loss Of facts and incidents Of
the highest interest to history, for no labor,
however arduous, and no research, however
profound, can always bring to light facts
which are lost. An association like this has
a valuable Office and should apply its ener-
gies to stimulating the collection of docu-
ments bearing on our Confederate history.
Officers and other persons having special
knowledge should prepare what the French
call Memories pour Seruir to aid the future
historian who shall delineate the brief but
eventful life Of the Coniedeacy. Our great
chieitain, in my humble opinion, would have
served his country better in this manner
than by presiding over a college, however
valuable bis labors as an educator. He would
thus have donc more for the boys in gray "
he loved so well and for "the lost cause
and its vindication. Whatever General Lee
might have written would have passed I'm.
challenged before the tribunal of authentic
history. His failure TO perform this emf
nently patriotic service, growing out OF his
scrupulous conscicntiouSnc>S, should be re-
paired a. far as possible by the active contri.
buttons of his comrades. An account,
historical and military, Of his compaigns by
that greatest living master OF the art of war,
General Joe Johnston, would enable some fll-
turc Jomini or Napier to give III intelligent
and correct criticism of our successes and
failures. Hundreds of persons have Incl
dcnt!, interesting and illustrative, that must
| s6on perish Inot committed TO unfOrSetting
paper. Time is rs rcmorSeleSS as Saturn IL
deyouring its own offspring. Unfortunately
| for historical accuracy and impartiality tho
| winning side in Il civil war retains or be
| comes the government, holds the flag ant
intercourse with foreign nations, has TIT
political supremacy, makes the laws, con
trols the immediate public opinion, ant
manufactures history.
In writing history it would be absurd tt
suppose that there are no facts but such ~
are material and visible. That which w
are accustomed to hear called the philosoph!
| of history, which consists in showing th'
relations of events with each other, the chail
which connects them, the causes and effect
of events this is history just as much as
description of battles and all the other exte
rior events which it recountS.
In the light of these reflections of the pre-
found and philosophic Guiz>t, who sti
happily lives in a green old age, bearing ties
titnony for Christianity amid French infidel
ity and European rationalism, our ciUtI bi:
tory is worthy of appropriate recital. Neces
sarily the legislation during the war wore YER
largely military aspect. Supply of troops
food. and munitions of war was the pard
mount question. Adverse criticisms on tn
Confederate Congress are generally absurd
ridiculous. The most sagacious and com
prehensive craftsmanship, the highest ciyi
ability of Cobb, Stephens, and Toombs
Withers, Barnwen, and Chesnut,- Clay
Walker, Smith, Yaneey, CIopton, and Chi
ton, Benjamin and Harris, Hemphill an
Wigfall, and Reagas, yessHupton, Pres
ton, and Tyler had, and could have haf
no proper field for. display. The South
prior to secession, certainly by conce:
sion of all, contributed her fair quot
Of executive, legislative, and judici1
ability and integrity. Some Of this pc
litical wisdom and knowledge found eS
hibition in our Constitution, which is tn
embodiment Of accepted southern ideas o
| government. 1t is the crystalization {
States rights, strict construction, and wei
defined limitations. Apart from the perpetr
alIy-extinct question Of African slavery an
secession, there were provisions in that in
strument which the dominant section nigh
| find worthy of Incorporation into our Fede
raj organic law.
A noted northern Journalist, in recer
interview" on the subject of C9sarisn
made the slanderous assertion that the Sout
entered into g revolution in order to er
throne u scion of British royalty. Ever
clause of the Constitution and every primo
ple that underhy our movement put tt
stamp of falsehooi upon the allegation. Th
single term, the ineligibility, the increased
responsibility of our Executive, the diminl
ton of Executive patronage by preyentin
removals except on assignment OF adequai
cause, more exact limitations OF the power
of Congress, more careful guarding of q!
preparations and expenditures, were all