The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-11-17
A Voice from yirSinia--Thc Union and
the .Stafcs--A Leading Pubiictst's
Views on the Exigencies of tic

the -StafCS..A Leading FuDi1clSES
Views on the Exigcncies of the
Times. .:a..
RICHMOND, VA, May 10, 1876.
TO the Editor of the Ne,o York. Era:
/ have not communicated with you since
1872, the memorable Greeley-Grant CAM
paign-a contest never to be forgotten. LIZ
vet hangs out its beacon-light, high on the
walls, still threatened by the'surglng waves
and warned by birds OF ill omen. The
voices of the war yet mingle with admonl7
lions of peace. The great and gallant dead,
devoted sons Of liberty, are shrouded in the
sad memories and pantomime efforts OF the
selfish and sordid politicians who seem to
think that the centennial Of the birth OF our
nation was inaugurated for party bauble
to explode in costly celebrations and pomE-
Gus formulas. Such is not the lessons to be
found on the pages OF history. Far other
wise. This is the year for sober reflection,
for deep determination period when
the States as States, and the Union as the
Union, should retire within themselves, and,
void of all self-sufficiency, revieao the past
as band of Christian brethren in the
"midst OF enemies" The period is at
hand when thoughtful knowledge, based on
a welcomed confidence in each State, rest
ing on constitutional Union, should look
ahead. and wisely discern the +" sgns OF the
times" t.
The American people and States have ar
rived at that advanced stage OF national and
international development which necesSi-
tates a candid RENEWAL Of their past history.
The war is not over. Wars neuer end. The
seyercr the war the worse the results. The
,admonitory presages given us rs nation OF
1892, 1850, and 1860 have passed into his
tory. They each left its melancholy teach
ings engrayened on history, which made no
abiding impression on the people. Nullif-
cation and secession sleep with their au-
thors amid the dead.
But the doctrine of consolidation still
threatens the people Of America as well as
the States of America with its direful calami-
ties. The Centennial celebration will in
nowise avert the rapid drifting in that di-
rection. AS n01o beng sustained, tits much
more likely to prove in the end an attend
ant OH the downfall of all it would wish to
preserve as sacred and valuable. The times
indicate fearful crisis. s.'s
One of two predicaments seem to await us
at m early date-aN AMERICAN EMPIRE
poised on bayonets, or a Constitutional
Union poised on free and Independent
States! Which shall we have? All depends
on the actings and 'doings OF the American
people and States. Congress thinks it IS
what it as not. 1t is not omnipotent. II
it, by lawless innovations swiftly and reck-
lessly repeated, trampIes on the shts OF
the States, or aims to abridge or annihiiate
the franchises Of the people, or any OF them,
there ever abides an inherent right OF cor
rection when properly evoked and legiti-
mately exercised. THE EXECUTIVE IS not IN
falli5ie. Even he is Justly and rightfuly
amenable to the people through the repre-
sentative poager of the States. The rude
grasp Of the sword will instantly slacken its
unauthorized grasp at the touch Of the
breath of#the people. Let it not be raised
against the sacred and tinviolated rights Of
the States. When in the providence Of an
ever-present and observing Divinity the
States are absorbed in a CONSOLIDATED
GOVERNMENT, the Federal Union will not
cease to exist and be cherished in the hearts
Of the American people and States. I ask,
Where is the remedy? Will you answer?
/ say it is not TO be found in any party con-
uention or in the Centennial, but in the peo-
pie, independent of both parties.
{, ~ .E>tsski 80 4t.e,FA JOHN 81. GIMER.