The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-12-20

i CAUSE oFTHE ENHANCEMENT BETWEEN
THE NORTH ANEs THE soUTH-THE REM
EDrEs PRoPosED--A NOBLE THEME ELo-
QUENTLY AND ABLY. TREATED. H.. :. :.
Despite the cold weather and Icy streets
there was quite very large and select audi
ence last night at Association Hall to hear the
lecture OF Professor J.. L.. n. Curry, IL.
d., OF Richmond College. There were no
ticed in the hall the Governor OF the State
Hon. J. L. Kemper), Ex-Governor Smith,
many members OF the Legislature, OF the
bar, and the bench, and other distinguished
citizens. AS announced, the esubiect of the
lecture was &c The South-Her Condition,
and Some. Remedies" : 49, =. #"t.s
(, AS the lecturer stepped upon the plat
form he was greeted with hearty applause.
He began by quoting sentiment OF Sir
Robert Peel expressive Of oppressive fore
bodIngs on the part OF statesmen when leav-
ing public life. With no reluctance In accept
ing the results OF the war, he declared that
The condition OF the South excites the
most painful sapprehensions of every
thoughtful patriot. Between North and
South fingers much estrangement: The
late Confederate States are regarded by
while their motives and purposes are mis-
represented and their acts perverted. The
only accepted test OF loyalty Is support OF
the Republican party. No protestations
nor acts are of any avail while one refuses
to sing paans to the Administration and its
favorites. Instead OF prescription, the
South needed, at the end Of the war, SYM
pathy and encouragement. The war had
utterly prostrated her. Besides the drain
upon industrial resources and the declma-
ton of her men, there were superadded
the emancipation OF the slaves, the disor-
ganization of labor, and great innovations
upon habits OF life and modes OF thought.
| These evils have been aggravated by bad
government and vicious legislation. Taxes
| have been enormous, and collected most
oppressively. The expenditures have been
heavy and iniudicious. Laws have been
for the benefit OF few favored men and
classes to the prejudice of the many. Cor
ruption has been rife, and the Federal Gov
ernment is rapidly becoming absolute or
unlimited in power. These positions the
lecturer enforced and illustrated by many
arguments and carefully prepared statistics.
Passing from general grievances, Dr.
Curry instanced the cOnferrlng upon the
negroes en- naaSSe the elective franchise as
most unparalleled outrage. His remarks
upon this branch OF the subject were earn
est, and accompanied by irrefutable argu-
ments. Whether our Government can stand
such severe strain remains to be tested.
! The second branch OF the subject-some
OF the remedies for the present state OF
things-was treated more at length, and
strengthened by many opposite historical
examples. Not much confidence was eX-
pressed in the ability of either party to re-
! form evils and restore prosperity. Some OF
| the difficulties are independent OF party ac-
ton or political policy, and are to be rectl-
| fed by a broader craftsmanship than the
country has lately seen. Parties long IN
power become corrupt, and rights need
| surer guarantees than the wisdom or sense
Of Justice Of any party or men.
| What some people vaguely hint ut as a
tremedy-a monarchy-was exposed as the
yeriest twaddle Our fathers were men OF
consummate wisdom-bad studied polltlcs
| lthoroughly-and knew that centrallzatlon,
of which we complain, is OF the very es-
sence OF Il monarchy. Quotations. were
made from Fourtll-of-July centennial ad-
dresses to show the reeking corruption OF
the Federal Government; but deploraole
as was this corruption, monarchical govern
ments would not cast the first stone. Nu-
cited to show that from the Tudors down
to 1880 parliamentary history was tainted
with the disgrace of improper use OF money.
AS positively remedial, the lecturer adj
yised a return and adherence to such COM
monplace virtues as frugality, economy,
and honesty in individual and public life.
As of paramount Importance the preserva-
ton of what remains Of the Constitution
and OF our ied.rative system were insisted
upon. We are inclined to compound mod
ern usurpations with what seem the legltl-
mate consequences OF the war. What was
determined by the war was frankly and
fully conceded; but beyond this settlement
we must insist upon the rights OF the States
and the limitations OF the Constitution.
With elaborateness and wealth OF argument
and illustration it was demonstrated that
usurpations are not to be assented to, and
that a constitution violated Is not constl-
tuition broken.
Right views of currency, taxation, eXpen-
diture, official responsibility, were suggest
ed as OF prime Importance in the problem
OF our future. Economy in Federal, State,
and municipal governments is lost ART,
and restrictions upon the right OF taxation
are among the things that were. FRAUD
and trckery in elections were denounced as
sure to produce, sooner or later, Drooo OF
evils, and as returning to torment those
who practiced or willingly protited by such
crimes. A more heartfelt public opinion,
as an element in politics, was necessary to
keep out bad men, prevent wrong, and Sc
cure in public councils larger proportion
Of the refined and the capable.
While the negroes should continue to
have equal and exact justice, and be guar
anteed in the ownership and inheritance oi
property and in their civil freedom, any
affilation with the race as tending to wipe
out predestinedd distinctions was deprecated
as an evil to be guarded against by rigid
legislation, ascertained by a sound public
opinion.
The lecturer is we'll known in private to
be IN ardent friend Of thorough and in
telligent reconciliation of the lately bellig-
erent sections, and his peroration was q
fervid appeal to the South to obliterate all
bitter memories and practice liberation and
forgiveness. He longed for revival OF
old-fashioned patriotism, and thought that
a sore need was to feel in our souls, as 8
passion, that this was our country, and that
zoe have part and lot in it. Let us not, said
he, transmit to our children legacy OF
hate, sorely as we are at times provoked,
nor aid in making our dear, sunny land q
Poland or an Ireland. We need peace, 8
| legal adjustment OF present troubles, q de-
yelopment of our resources, the maintenance
Of the Constitution, spirit Of subordina-
ton to the Divine law, and reverent ac'
acknowledgement of him who sits upon the
circle of the universe and controls the
! destinies of nations.
DR.. Curry spoke with more than ordl'