Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-10-28
THE SPEECH AT sroNEwALL JACKsoN's
STATUE

Ii would have been too much to expect that
the stonewall Jackson statue could be unveiled
without an outpouring, greater or leas in volume,
Of those political theories which led Jackson to
his death under reasonable flag, and which
are responsible on the page of History for the
blood Of thousands and tens of thousands Of
other lives. The orator OF the day, the Rever-
end Mr.. Hoge, duly attended to that part Of the
programme. and did not let the occasion pass
unimproved. Though the Confederaoy has
fsiled, yet, lie said, the principles for which
Jackson fought will triumph. This is an old
story, and the Reverend Mr.. Hoge's repetition Of
it is STALE His " Lost Cause" s more entirely
lost than the remnant of hla hopes permits him
TO see As for its " principles" they were but
the delusive and alluring pretense by which sueh
brave bot misguided men MS stonewall jackson
we're drawn in to serve the wicked ambitions OF
men like Davis and Toombs. Many and many
q thousand OF Southern soldiers fell fighting for
dsunion who had been duped by the cry that
their rights" were III danger. What those
rights" were they knew not, and not even the
Reverend Hoge could have clearly explained.
Just as unreal and spurious asl the pretense
that the Rebellion had real plnicipe--that il
just or honest principle OF human govern
nent-for its vital force, is another suggestion
made by the orator of the day. We pass by his
undgnihed and foolish fling at ia Cesar,
echoing the clap-trsp of President Grants
meanest ssssilants and refer to his declaration
that the South cannot love the Union, without
degradation and hypocrisy, because rights are
accorded to the Northern States not POSSESSED by
the Southern. The occasion claimed from the
speaker truth and oandor. The erection OF a
statue TO a brave soldier, who died without
personal stain, though he fell IN arms against
lis country was at least one of solemmty, and
only sincere utterance could do it Justice.
But even in such presence, Mr.. Hoge descend
I'd to that second untruth, though, as We hope,
unconsciously. II he knows anything he
knows that no rights are denied Virginia, which
other States possess He intimstes that New
York or Massachusetts receives fayors or DOS.
sesses advantages in this " changed. form OF gov
enment" which are not accorded to
the States OF the South. How ene-
rle this Is, He mast know
that he il speaking without grain OF truth il
what he says. The form of government has no
been changed and he knows it, The safe
guards that have been added for the protection
Of the peoples rights are the only modification
Of the old Constitution and these, even il the,
afford Mr. Hoge, who doubtless feels bitterl,
over the emancipation and enfranclsenen
which they protect. bear equally upon ever,
State in the Onion. They are not sectional il
their applicaton-they apply the same in New
York a. in Virginia
Unfortunately thousands OF men who hear(
this speaker accept his words as truth, and othe
tens of thousands take the same delu4iye views
Promulgated once in the service OF Slavery, ant
for the advantage Of political workers Of evil
they have been fastened upon the Southern peo
plea brave. rash, earnest people, who, but 70
this misleading, might never have raised a re
bellious banner or fought to break up the lie
public Pity Indeed that they did 20 fight, an,
now pity again that their preachers and thei
orators should strive yet further to deceive an,
mislead them.