The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1889-12-21

i99.)
1T has been said that they (the
Staies) were SoVereign,we completely
independent, and were connected with
each other only by league. This is
true" (ChlGf Justice Marshall Gibbons
vs.. Ogden, ) Peters cOnd. X. 5G5.)
II is "a further historical TACT that as
independent states each appointed del
cgales to frame the present constitution
and as independent states each assented
for itself alone to the constitution (and
had any rejected it, as did North Caro-
lima at first, such state would not have
been member of the UpiOn), and il is
IL fact that nowhere therein does any
such Independent States-if il were
possible for one generation in behalf OF
themselves and their posterity to thus
legally commit political suicide-sur-
render its independence.
1t is true, MIR. Lincoln is the only
man ever so bold as TO declare the
Union existed before the States, bnt Il
statement during the excitement of the
times, that the offspring existed before
The mother would be equally as per
iinent. The Union sprang from the
constitution. the constitution sprang
from its adoption, its adoption was
after it was drafted, and as drafted it
named each state by name, and de-
clared that the ratification by nine
states, should be sufficient to carry the
constitution into effect 6etWeeR the
SiHteS so ratIfying it. Each having be-
come, by Il revolutionary act, an Inde
pendent State, having in a sovereign
capacity assented TO and ratified the
constitution, having never abandoned
their statehood, each state claimed the
right, if the union failed i'm its objects,
to withdraw. And Oh these facts his
tory will record its verdict.
Men have differed as to the character
of the union and the powers of govern
meut, but down TO 1860, no pan of
prominence denied this right OF seces-
sion. During the war of 1912 the right
was claimed, without question by
New Eng land, land according to John
Quincy Adams was actually ex-
ercised), through the bad faith of the
nOy ement, during a war undertaken to
protect her interest, was pointed out E.
The text book at the military acadamy
until 1860, written by Gen Washing
tons district attorney, so stated it as a
fact. and the original principles OF the
abolition party of the North so taught.
That Mr.. Davis was never tried, though
he courted il was a confession of the
truth, and the fact that the chief justice
who must have presided had been
raised in the same political school, and
differed only with the distinguished
defendant on the slavery question, gave
| IitI Ip urnIniSp of cOnVictiOU
When the followers of the meek and
IOwly Savior were dispersed He stood
undismayed before His Judge. The
verdict was: find no fault in Him
But still unappeased. He was turned
over TO the mob with the words, "Be
hold the man." Since that, dynasty hai
succeeded dynasty, empires have arIsel
aud sunk beneath the wave OF time, thu
very stars have faded from the heavens
change has succeeded change-all il
change. But these simple words, " hicl
naturally might have been likehed t.
the shadows as they chase each Othc
IN a moment over hill and dale and ar.
gone, have survived all these changes
to-day are on the lips of millions an,
they 9irdle the earth in their never end
ing mission carry with them peace, joy
hope in the future and civilization her
below.
Defeated in the battle of force MIR
Davis undismayed, undaunted, chal
Hanged the foe to another battle-O
reason, of right, of justice, OF law, o
Historical Fact. Defeated at Appomat
tUx he was victor here. Aud at II,
distant day in the future when earth
heroes are named and the men VIII
have sacrificed much Tor the right Q
self. government are marshaled, tn
name OF Davis will occupy no insig
fully known, when his devotion t
principle, truth and right is fully ap
preciated, when the sacrifices he mad
in the cause OF the sovereignty of tn
people against the SOL called sovereIgnt
of government (the plea and weapon G
every despoD is properly understoo
and future generations will call hiI
blessed, and in wonder and admiratio
exclaim, "BehOld the man."
The passions of the hour, like th
clouds, dissolve and pass away; reaso
soon returns and assumes her SWAY.
see. [ see them now as they flee and m
ear already catches the sound, for
hear a distinguished senator of Ne'
England state, a Federal general, as y
allirms the war settled but tw
questiOns-slavery and secession
leaving the states with all the
other rights unimpaired. AS Ion
as the blood that cOursed Hamr
toms veins is the substrata of Amer
cans, SO long as tho spirit of the revC
luton animates us rs a people, ii
right for which Davis battled TIL
sovereignty of the people-the right {
; self government - home rule ca
never die.
!, II is charged by some who have M
1 investigated the truth, and by othel
vino DO not care to know or hear i
p mat the South was guilty of establish
+ ing slavery in this country.
/ The South was not responsible ft
b the existence of slavery, nor was sb
[ in any wise, responsible for the cxis
n ence OF the causes which led to Il
e secession of the Southern states, al
n whether those causes were sufficient
a Justify the step was, as before said,
a question for these states alone
decide and not those who had bet
}. guilty of violation of their feder
a contracts. Had the Northern stat
c observed the federal contract; had tn,
d declared purpose to obey and SUI
port the constitution as they had
= forty years after the formation of q
II Union, there would have been no s
!. ressioH- there would have been
j, war. But they declared that tn
# would not do sO-that the constitute
u was league with hell, covena
), with death (and in several states ma
e it a felony To obey the constitution
is Or as MIR. Chase, probably the tor
:. most man at the North at that tn
+ declared in the Peace Congress spea
lc ing tor those states who refused, g
n openly declared their purpose to retu
,e in the future TO carry ont the prov
ions of the contract, said he. "it il
I. simple case where a contract, fr'
le changed circumstances, cannot be f
l. Tiled exactly AS made The Son
20 demanded the execution of the contr,
If as made, as was her right, the Nol
- refused, and the South declined, as "
,t her right, to make new Que.
What was the origin and the tr
II status of this question, and the subj
L. matter which gave rise to this difft
il cnce? Here, as elsewhere, the tru
l. should be stated, and ever be kept
1t mind. The South was not responsil
10 tor the existence of slavery i'll Il
j. country. Neither the Southern peo,
d III 1861 nor their ancestors establish
e It. The responsibility rests esewhC
" even at the doors principally of N,