The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1881-06-25

> ss GOVERNMENT. BY Jefferson Davis
.. D. Appleton Il Co., New York Z:
Vo's~
q The character, intelligence ami higl
8 positions occupied by the distinguished
: author of the work now before us, ar
sufficient to insure the pecuniary success,
. Of its publication whether the high opiu.
ion, nay, the almost veneration, entertain
+ ell by tho Southern people for the Head Of
3 the late Confederate Government, aud the
Chief Of the 's1ost Cause" is to lie aug
mented or decreased thereby, remains to
time and discussion for solution.
Mr.. DAVIS groups his defence of the
} course Of those political leaders who pre-
cipita'ea the Southern people into the
} late disastrous war, under two heads {:
lst. An elaborate and excepted discus
sion Of inherent sovereignty Of the States,
in which is presented his views Of the
Compact" theory in contradiction to that
entertained by the "Union" element pre-
ceding the conflict between the States of
the South and the Federal authorities; and
I'd: A difase argument in defence of the
Constitution" of slavery. ..
Ofhis account Of the leading conflicts
Of the war but little can he said. We
find nothing to commend in them save an
effort to defend those officers who were his
fsvorites, to condemn those whom be did
not admire, and to injure by an ingenious
strain the memory ofone, At least, whose
popularity, patriotism and ability he could
not defy.
The right Of Secession considered in an
abstract sense-and when we say abstract
sense, we mean the inherent right to
change form Of government by people
docs not admit, in our opinion, Of dis
cussion. We Americans stand by the De-
claration of Independence on that point,
and it were mere waste Of time to elab.
crate periods in it's debate. But, consid-
cred from the standpoint Mr.. DAVIS has
chosen to assume, it admits of . wide
range Of argument. That people have
the right to resort to arms in defence Of
what they may consider some or other in
herent prerogative, none will depv, but
to attempt the proof that mon have legal
right to enjoy or exercise an inherent
privilege, is beyond the power Of para
do1 and sophistry. Nay, Mr.. DAVIS con.
tents himself, in his diffase examination
Of the subject, with constantly wringing |
upon such expressions contained in our |
organic law, as Sovereign" sovereign
people" &C., &C., while he totally over
looks the second Section of tho 10th Ar
ticls of that instrument, which specially |
and alphabetically forbids any State or num- !
ber Of States from doing just what the |
Confederate States did; establishing an |
alliance or compact between themselves
for any purpose whatever, without the
consent Of Congress. Mr.. DAVIS could
have exscted moro sympathy from pos
terity, for himself and associates, BY can
didly coming to the reasons for ; separa-
ton Of tho States and the causes fer the
var, which be but thinly conoeals under
ths specious sophistries We have read tim.
after time since 1855. If be had, in other
words, candidly admitted it was for the
perpetuation Of slsvery, We chose to sepa-
rate from our sister States, and thereby
disrupt tho then existing American gov.
eminent, and for this end we had recourse
TO that Inherent right, above law and con.
stitutions, written or implied, the right to
rehsl, to set up for ourselvee .uch form of
government - in our Judgment was most
compatible with our interests, he could
have secured place for his work among
those from whom the future historian. to
whom be appeals with marked fervor.
must compile his dissertation and iude-
nent upon the causes of tho war between
tho contending parties in America. To
contend, ~ Mr.. DAVIS does, in we'll round.
ed and eloquent periods, that liberty and (
ito enjoyment were alone tho controlling I
causes for our withdrawal from the ra1e. !
ral Union 10 to tone down tho brilli.ncv
Of tho paradox Of q land Of liberty with .
corner stone of alayArv. ~ NJ hrr,.,