Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-05-22

II Is History.


eago Tribune intended to show tbst Virginia
did not in 17Ss reserve the right to secede
from the Union, we write In the interest oil
truthful history. OF course, we know that
the result Of the war between the States has
settled IL that there can be 20 such thing as
peacesble secession, and established u as
fact that the right to secede no longer be-
longs TO any State. North or south. BIT be-
cause force has destroyed the right 10 secede,
u does not follow that this right did not
exist until II was ended by an unsuccessful
war--tbat Is, unsuccessful in maintaining by
force OF arms the theory Of the nature OF the
Federal Government which Virginia states
men held from 1883 10 1861.
General WAsHISSToS was q "rebel."
"Disperse. We robels :" said Major PITCAIRN
ut Lexington. Our Revolutionary foreiathers
were undoubtedly rebels Bat it is absurd
70 call the people OF the seeded States
"rebels" because they defended themselves
from the attacks Of the Union soldiers. They
simply attempted TO prove that the right OF
the people Of each State 10 govern themselves
was one Of the things established by the
Revolution Of l77G.
All over the North there are people who
understand and appreciate the arguments re-
he'd upon by tho southern states TO prove
that they had the right 10 seccde from the
Union, To use The word "rebel" az term
of reprosch is now about As foolish as TO use
the word Methodist" as term OF re-
proach.
Even in Chicago there are lawyers who
know that the southern people canno, pro-
perry be considered "a rebels. Here before
usis little book entitled q" The Necklace OF
Liberty" Second edition by the way. show
Ing that It hiss hsd readers by FRANCS GIL
IATLY. Il was printed in Chicago by the
knight & Leonard Company. Sir. GELLATLr
says plainly that ait cannot be denied that
when the southern states seeded they
had many excuses for their action. The
Chicago Tribune processes to believe that
the war between the States was cau'eess
war. We quote Mr.. GELLATLY again:
"Wben the southern people attempted 10
secede they believed themselves to be the
injured party, and that they were merely as
ser.ing their rights. They should not be
blamed for this
Our author knows that it is nonsense to
ray that General LEE in gong into "rebel-
lion" violated his oath as a soldier. We
quote him again
1--WE should tear from our ewes the veil OF
prejudice which prevents US from seeing IN
a true light the noble character Of the men
whom we sneer at ~ rebels-those true
Americans. those unadulterated descendants
OF our Revolutionary sires, those men who
have Marion aud Heury aud Jefferson and
Washington to their iather..'
Tbst is feeling tribute to the men whom
the smalksoued malignsnls style "rebels."
We quote Mr.. GsLLATIY again:
"There were tn the Union at The time the
preamble aud the rest OF the Constitution
were framed thirteen States 10 that II con-
tempiatsd 4 possible separation Of the STATES.
And yet there are people with this staring
them IN the foce who contend that the word.
ing Of the preamble proves that the COnsti-
tuition was ordained BY one inseparable
body. the people, irrespective Of states and
not by The states. so far from considering
themselves an ipscpsrable body the people
who spoke in the preamble provided for
their action as states and Tor apostolic sepa-
ration Oi the States then united
"StIe sovereignty Is not only recognized
by the Constitution, but il expressly says
that eaeb state shall sid the otscrs In main-
tAinlng their sovereignty. Section ., Arti-
Gle w.. directs that person IN any state
charged with treason, who shall flee FROM
Justice shall be delivered up.
Now treason Is an offence against sovereign
~, and this section, 10y an implication that
cannot be eNaded, imputeS sovereignty TO
the Ststes." When orr Constitution was
framed they were sovereign and independ-
ent Staies, and In 1t we see that their sover-
eighty Is acknowledged aud a provision
made for its maintenance"
MIR. GELLATLY saws That the southern
States bad as much right tc-claim the slle.
glance Of the northern states as the latter
had to claim tue allegiance Of the former.
lie rays that the more the conduct OF the
northern states is looked into the more clear
" the eye OF reason perceiyes II to be desti.
iute OF justice. lie adds that the prevalence
81 the northern ideas was 10 be desired, but
that law aud justice were on the side OF the
south.
PATRICK Henry saw in 1883. as with q
prophets vision, just what other people did
not see Until seventy years afterwards. Mr..
PESDLETON had said In the Virginia Conyen-
ton which ratified the Constitution that 10
prevent abuses Virginia could assemble ia
convention and recall her delegated powers.
He evidently believed IN the right Of seces-
Bion. But Mr.. HENRY said: "Theso would
be fine times II 10 punish tyrants It were sui-
fcient 10 assemble the people The onus
will be gone" Z" In what nation was a r..
Voluton ever beard OF comprised by those
without any power at sll against those with
powery There will he standing army:
how can tbs, be punished: win your mace
bearer be a match for a disciplined reQ1-
meRt3" "What resistance could be made
The attempt o0ud be madness. The country
would be In the hands o. enemies. Their gar
mon, IA ~ stroEghoid-." "Can the annals
OF mankind exhibit one single example when
rulers, o,ercharged with power, lei the OPP
pressed 90 upon the most urgent en-
treaty." What prophet. How unwise,
how blind seem the Others. "Theic gar.
risoos IA us strongholds." Major AMBER
soS in Fort Sumter. Were the oppressed
allowed TO goY We need not reply.
The Chicago Tribune ought TO concede
that We have made our poiat There are
no "rebels" here. The next "rebelliou"
will be IN the North. But all the same we
desire that postenty shall understand that
LEE aud JACKSON and JOHNSTON and JoHS.
son. aud BRAGG and sll the rest OF the go.
Tious military iesdeIs OF tue South in the war
between the states violated no oath and were
never Tebes.
The Riots III Germany.
In discussing the riots ia Germany and