National Republican., 1880-03-11
suLKY AND UNHAPPY VIRGINIA.

The Legislature of Virginia has demon
strated to the world how difficult it is TO
overcome prejudices and habits, however
pernicious they may be, If they have been
formed in the concrete of education. 1t
win be recollected that while South Caro-
lima fred the first gun of rebellion in 1861,
it fell to the lot of Virginia to lead the first
State out of the Union, and break tempo
rarily the chain of National unity. She Sc
ceded and was followed by other Southern
States, until the Conlederacy took form in
forcibly resisting the General Government,
with its capital within that State. Hence
Virginia became the mother of secession
and rebellion, and nursed, fed and fostered
them until they expired on her bosom.
With the other Confederate States she af-
fected to surrender secession, rebellion aud
all the principles and issues involved
therein, but it has long been evident that
surrender did not involve an unreserved
yielding up of all that had been placed
upon the altar of that conflict. State SOW
ereignty was the secreted jewel which was
not to be given up, and which, as is now
apparent, has not been surrendered by the
controlling power of that commonwealth
down to the present hour.
The germs of secession and rebellion may
therefore be regarded as in reservation for
future use. The late decisions of the Su-
preme court of the United States, which vir-
tually declare that National sovereignty
must be preserved by the laws and powers
Of the General Government, and that when
ever the State comes in conflict with the
Nation, the former must succumb in sub
ordinate relation, has brought the reserved
and latent doctrine of State sovereignty to
the surface in the Virginia Legislature,
which is regarded as clay in the hands OF
Senator MAHoNE, the ruling spirit of tina,
commonwealth. That body, like the
swan, sang its song and then died
or what is tantamount, suspended its
functions by adiourning sine die. It's last
song was an anthem to State sovereignty
1t enters its most solemn protest against
the decisions Of the Supreme Court Of the
United States, which are based on the Con-
stitution and laws of the General Govern
ment. 1t declares to the country that these
decisions threaten the very existence of the
State governments rs distinct sovereignties
and places the judiciary of the State com.
pletely under the control of tho United
States. 1t contends that the logical resul
of these decisions will enable tho United
States to coerce the State Judiciary as well
rs the State executive and legislative de,
partments in all matters, thus destroying
every yestige Of State sovereignty, which il
declares to be q most alarming doctrine to
all who value the blessings of liberty, fol
the security Of which the Constitution it,
self was established and ordained.
II has ever been an observable fact in dis
positions which seek cause of quarrel, tha
they are prone to exaggerat te, confuse nnt
distort the causes set up TO justify a diff
Guilty. II seems 10 be especially so in this
instance on the part of tho Virginia Legis
lature. 1t asserts that these decisions, fol-
lowed out logically, would coerce the State
governments in all matters. Such an as
sumption is not justified by the facts. The
| laws under which these decisions have
occurred are based upon the Constitution ol
the United States, and are fully sustained
by the court of last resort. The State Of
Virginia has set up code of laws which
come in conflict with the Constitution and
laws of tho United States, and under thi.
special conflict of authority issue has beer
taken and decided adversely TO that State
That should end the matter, for it extends
no further, nor does it interfere with or re.
late to any other question Of State jurisdic.
tiOn or sovereignty.
1t would seem that the State of Yirginii
should retire from this controversy with
better grace. 1t should not frt itself on
of court in pet and throw an il-nature,
protest in the face of the Supreme Court o
the United States, for it will bring neithe
honor nor benefit to the Old Dominion
1t should learn the lesson of duty to tn
National Government more easily, and pre-
pare itself to submit in more becoming
manner 10 the National sovereignty in al