National Republican., 1881-06-14
Jefferson Davis and His Book.

| ehO SI1hIpSCo VI IuS uIOOu, duO, COIluluuluS
with nothing that now is, stagily looks on
vacancy and in sepulchral tones repeats
the anti-coercion jargon of 1861, with
which every country editor was familiar
and which blacksmiths then quarreled
over at the forge. He gives the index Of
his work at its close, viz: 1t was written
to demonstrate the right of secession
from which the unconstitutionality of re-
sistance to it would logically follow, and
to show the honesty of conviction of the
Southern people and the humanity and
morality which characterized them dur
ing the civil war
The conduct of the two sections re-
spectiyely as to the observance of the re-
straints which civilization has placed
upon the modes of warfare are not now
profitable subjects of discussion. The
leaders in each section and the armies
under them were of different tempera-
ments and acted under so many differ
| ing circumstances and necessities that
| the better disposition to make of this
branch of the subject will be to draw the
mantle of oblivion over it and attempt no
agreement as to the facts. Each side has
its historian, so far as history can be
written cotemporaneously with the
events it records. Future generations
will furnish minds which will, with less
prejudice, weigh the conflicting evidence
and approximate justice. This will only
be the case, however, if parties form upon
questions wholly Independent of old
| disputes respecting the relative powers of
| the National and the State Governments
AS to the sincerity of the Southern
people in their revolt, they were made
earnest in its behalf by various causes
Some were genuine secessionists; more
were drawn into the support of secession
by exciting influences and surroundings,
without regard to the correctness of that
pernicious doctrine. That any whites
were found in opposition finally is the
greatest wonder, when we consider how
intolerant and arbitrary was the spirit
which dominated in the confederacy.
So much of Mr.. Davis's efforts as are
devoted to the defense of the right of the
States to secede appear to be an evidence
of the senility and garrulity of age. What
possible light he expected to throw upon
a subject which had been worn thread
bare for thirty years before the civil wal
is beyond comprehension. As well might
some old Union statesman like Han
nibal Hamlin or Simon Cameron
treat us to book arguing the bind
ing effect of the National Constitu-
ton upon individual citizens and the
unlawfulness of secession. 1t is true that
the physical inability of the secessionists
to escape what their opponents regarded
as national obligations and allegiance
could in nowise destroy any truth which
might have been contained in their
dogma. Systems of government struggle
for the mastery, and the strongest sur
wives strength being measured by force,
skill, resources, and tenacity of purpose
combined. After the struggle is ended
and one system has prevailed the advo-
Gates of the other do not well to admit
that their lost cause requires reargument.
If it was worthy of the sacrifices made in
its behalf its votaries need make no
apology or defense. A restive and |
anxious desire to be heard anew be-
tokens some fears lest the vanquished |
may not have been sure of the right
of their cause. Mr.. Davis |
admits, in the end, that secession,
though not wrong, was proven by |
the war to be impracticable. That |
is to say, the stronger side would |
not allow the weaker to pull down the
national house about their ears, however
sincere the latter might be in thinking |
that their right. Whether the States re-
belled against the lawful authority Of the
Nation or whether the Nation rebelled |
against the lawful rights of the State, the |
result left the Nation supreme within it's |
sphere and the States powerless to indi-
decide whether and when the |
Nation had transcribed its rightful au-
thority.