The National tribune., 1881-09-17
4 Modern Peter Klaus.

4 Modern Peter Klaus.
If Bourbonism is possessed of any one promi-
nent feature by means Of which it may be dis
tingushed from all other political sms it is to be
found in the extreme and long since exploded
doctrine of the right of secession to which the
cings with a tenacity which has scarcely paral-
lei in history. Like the German prototype of
our American Rip Van Wrinkle upon first being
aroused from his slumber of twenty years, the
bogus president who sought to establish his au-
thorty in one part of the United States is appar-
emily unable to realize the lapse Of time and the
changes wrought by the irresistible force of
passing events. He undertook to climb the
mountain of Disunion with the living BODY of
his cherished belief in his arms drank at the
fountain of armed Rebellion by the way. and
finally overcome by the lethargy of defeat, sank
to rest with corpse upon his bosom.
He has recently awakened but does not seem
able to comprehend that his eyes behold new
creation that new generation has sprung into
being-and that not only the cause for which he
risked everything but its very soul, is dead To-
day he appears before the Nation atfectionatelv
clasping to his heart skeleton. which. in his
state of senility, he believes to be the perfect
embodiment of an existing, youthful vigorous
factor in politics.
His book, not long since published, is the reflex
Of &c ind D,+ @lo :.
perished when the rebellous hosts laid down
their arms and effort on his part, no effort on
the part of any can ever rehabiitate it in the
minds Of the people as living issue. State
Rights which was to Mr. Davis Il dream OF en-
pire, is no longer viewed even by the majority of
those who at one time believed in the theory as
having the force which he and others of his way
of thinking would accord to it. Some minds are
still pleasurably excited by visions of broad do
mains over which the extreme doctrine shall vet
rule with despOtic authority, but they are COM
paratiyely few in number. I he great mass of
our citizens, north, south, east, and west are
ready to accept, in fact have long since submitted
to, the logic of the war And it would be better
for his reputation as statesman, if Mr.. Davis,
even at this late day, would but follow in the
footsteps of his former adherents who have proved
their superior wisdom by accepting things as they
are and must be-not as they would have them
There is little hope, however OF his thus distin-
gushing himself but yet it is not too late for
others, who have drawn their inspiration from
his extreme teaching, to reform.
Let them remember that he is repudiated by
the great party of which, years ago, he was one
of the recognized leaders, and take warming, lest
they, too, if they have political aspirations. be
cast aside for others who are able to realize that
the spirit Of progression is abroad in the land
that the minds of the people have been enlight-
ened with1 the last decade or two, and con-
formed to the advanced state of ideas and that
no dead and buried theories, even though sue
cessfully resurrected, are suited to the popular
taste The sooner Mr.. Davis and his little fol-
lowing learn these truths, and hide from sight
the crumbling remains of their dead love the
sooner they will be prepared to contribute to the
public welfare, and aid in establishing an era of
good fellowship and reciprocity of feeling be-
tween the sections North and South that shall
continue lOnp q the Nation itcalf o,J,,,o,