Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1890-06-28
AFFAIR SEEING sOUTHERNER TALKS

DR.. THOMAS NELSON PAGE, one
of Vnginia's most learned sons. a
student Of history, a lover of litera
ture, and, as his address will show,
a farseeing scholar Of the school of
to day, addressed the literary socie
ties Of the Richmond College, on
the 18th inst. His language sur.
prised us, coming as it did from a
Democratic "child of the SUNNY
South" 1t shows that the age OF
reason is dawning in this benight
ed land. His subject was "The
Race Problem"
He is quoted as follows:
''The right of secession Is no longer
an active issue. That IL once existed is
undeniable; that it passed away with the
armies OF the COnfederacy at ApDomat
tox is equally beyond controversy. The
men who fought and bled for this right
are will ing TO admit that the Union is
iDdissolubie and, il need be, stand ready
Ito establish the fact against all who
shall gainsay it.''
The above language is plain, and
is respectfully referred to The Char.
lottesville Chronicle. While we
question whether the right ever ex.
listed, we are willing to meet DIR.
PAGE halfway and accept he la =
ter part of his statement as Being
made In good faith. But, scholar
that he is, believer in great prin-
clples in preference to petty preju-
dices he realizes the verdict of the
future historian when he announ-
es:
In 1861, our fathers stood aligned a
gainst the Union,. and apparently for the
perpetuation OF slavery. They were de
feated overwhelmed beaten. Unless we
possess strength sufficient TO maintain
ourselves even in the face of this. we
shall go down; the verdict of posterity
will be against us. In fifty years the
defense of slavery will be deemed the
world over to hav9 been as barbarous 81
we now deem the slave trade to have
been. There is but one way to prevent
the impending disaster. BY establishing
that whatever may have been the in
mediate and present occasion the true
and ultimate cause of action of :hs
South was her firm. unwavering aIC
Instructive adherence to principle, AM
her jealous devotion to her inailenabl(
righCs. By perpetuating the true anC
splendid story of the real position of the
South, and of the heroic stand which
she made for her rights during thos,
four years of trial, want and battle w,
can wrest fame from defeat and throw
the worn and broken South into the fo
us OF romance.
Well put, DR.. PAGE! You com.
prehend the situation exactly. YOl
have risen to the duty of the hour
May Others as influential catcI
the strain and sound the note O
warning. You have travelled, sir
Your eyes have been opened an,
have not fai ed to see. Says he:
1t il charged hat the written law is nc
universally fully and freely executed a
the South in matters relating to the excl
else of the elective franchise. and / do no
understand that the defense g a denial {
the charge, it is rather q confession an
, avoiCa CO. To the charge it is repIe
that the written law, when subverted
all, is b subverted only to a higher la
founded on the instinct of self pro. ectio
E. and &c 1t preserv at ion
There you have it! Presiden
INGALLS, and DR.. PAGE virtual
agree in this matter. Virginia co
stitutes part Of the South. Wha
says the Richmond Dispatch
But how high DR.. PAGE rises whel
he enunciates the great , incl pie
, of a higher law by queries:
2 If it be admitted that this is true, the
is it nothing to US that condition exis
which necessitates the subversiOn of an
2 law? Is it not an injury to our peOp
that the occasion eXss which plac,
them in conflict with the law and compe
: them to assert the existence of a high
duty? Can law be Overridden withol
creating a spirit which will over ride Law
= A spirit ready to constitute itself. Il
Judge of what shall and what shall not
considered law. spirit which eventual
substit tes it's will tor law and co. ( .un,
its interest with right?
All, DR.. PAGE, you asked til
Q questions, but in them you hav
3 given the answers. Your word
give an unqualified condemnatio
4 of lynch lao, demonstrating that