Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-07-11

should frankly proclaim their devotion to
the fathers, to all for which they fought
and struggled. Yes Virginia withdrew
but she carried her household gods and
the ark of the covenant, she only pro-
posed to change the federal head
rather than war on her Southern Sisters.
How then and why this cruel terrible
i war: To answer fully would eXpan
this speech into a book. 1t was a war
I, fought over and on construction Of the
II constitution. Slavery may have been
i the occasion, perhaps the remote cause,
but the real cause, was the extent
OF the powers Of majoritles and the
Capitalization OF that power in
4 the general as against the local
government. This very question
| from the earliest days Of the Republic
I was bone Of contention, but in our
day it took objective shape and form in
battle. The shareholders were but a
fra ction ofour people, our ranks were
not made up Of them nor theirs except
in fair proportion.
The peculiar character OF the property
made it our vulnerable point, but still
with us, it represented the broad right
Of property, needing the protection Of
local rule. it soon became 50 interviewer
with the right Of local government, that
many believed, or claimed to believe
that our devotion to the Republic was
circumscribed by the one question,
slavery. 1t no more represented the
true issue of the last Revolution. than
Tea represented the First.
But for the food for sentiment, and
sentim entalism, for harrangue and sur
mon that it afforded, the contest it is
true would not have come when and as
| it did.
We leave the question with this re-
mark-the struggle to human eye. was
needless-as we now look back, and a
fearful judgment awaits those who pre-
cipitated this struggle, these years Of
strife and carnage, and yet it came
with all the stately steppings of the
grand orderings Of Providence.
The end came, there were no soldiers
Of ours in the ield-the flag for which
we 50 often risIled our lives was sadly
furled and as it had witnessed the
grandest sternest deeds Of daring so as
it was furled for the last time and as it
ceased to be aught, but in the sad land
of memories was wet with the tears Of
heroes.
The award Of battle was against Us,
secession was buried in an honored
grave. represented the extreme Of
this war of construction, and never
could have numbered our old mother
against its followers, but for the ex-
treme ground Of co-ertion and force.
foreshadowing Capitalization, and en-
pire (as she belieyed), resorted to by the
authorities at Washington.
With the close Of the war came
military MISREPRESENTATION acts,
States out Of the Union by their failure
to get out and keep out. This feeling
represented the other extreme, with
soldiers quartered in State Capitols and
IN State Houses, keeping law makers
in their places by bayonets for party
purposes, who represented neither the
virtue, the intelligence, the honor, nor
the property Of those States. During
these years quietly struggling for ex-
istence and manfully keeping our parole
of honor we waited the result and IN the
fullness of time it came-came not as
we hoped, not as we had planned but it
came an humble ex-confederate cherish
ing the teachings Of the fathers. I am
happy to realize to day, that we have a
country and a government ofwhich we
are part, have something to live for,
something to work for, and that the
noble sentiment Of patriotism can be
cherished and cultivated, that we can
| know and feel that we are not aliens in
our own land.
In saying this, l do not mean to en-,
dorse the manner nor the means by
which the present administration came
into power but I do mean to accept the
situation. land judge the tree by its fruits
There are no soldiers now standing GUARD
in and around Legislative Halls, no odi.
GUS rulers kept in place and over com.
munities by soldiers Of the United
States. The President merely did his
Lduty,it is not for me to judge my brother
but this much may y,the withdrawal
of troops, was ordered when it was
known to be the end Of but
for which, Mr.. Hayes would not in all
probability have been our President.
| The animosities that spring from war
are fortunately not always enduring.
England's Queen has Just received in
royal style and cordial manner oui late
President, whilst the whole rulers made
haste to pay honor to him, as having
once been the ruler Of the revolted
colonies. The war clouds are all gone
now, the desolation in the track Of war
has been repaired, and to-day those
who saw and felt the weight and force
our metal and crossed bayonets with
our ragged veterons" cherished no
hate.
| What American, will not indulge an
honest administration when he reads
how that modest, retiring eccentric,
conscientious Professor Of Lexington
enthused with the spirit Of battle, became
very 'sson of thunder" and made a