The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-10-04
OUR RIGHTS.

The deep tragedy OF the Confederate war
was not without half-comio moral. The
Southern people. with all the earnestnsss and
might of their being maintained and fought
for great principles of human right and gov
eminent, and. on the face of things. they APP
peared to be unsuccessful. But they did 50
stand and struggle for justice and truth and
did 80 MORALLY wound and severely punish
their adversaries that they have craven and
indelibly written their cherished convictions
and principles on the soul of this republic.
The fall of Leonidas and his men estab-
lished freedom in Greece The highest ser
vice rendered to mankind has been attended
with great sacrifices. The blood of the mar
tyr has always been the seed of the Church
The Confederacy fell, but it filed its Office to
the country and to mankind. 1t will forever
survive before the world as identified with
the highest and purest heroism. Its memory
will remain 40 r solemn assertion of the sove-
reignty of the State, a warning against the dire
danger of Capitalization, as a testimony TO the
might and greatness of American citizen
ship and most beautiful illustration and
realization Of the highest ideal Of patriotism,
self-respect and devotion to duty. Our Lee
and Jackson were the highest possible types
of the Cavalier and Puritan; splendid illus
tration of English and American history.
All this is the noble aspect of the solemn
panorama, grand, high and moving, full OF
state and woe and of eternal consequence.
The incidental relief of the strain and the
81 10.
practically we Of the South got CD our rights
in Kansas and Nebraska And the moral is
an old one: that while fighting and destroy
ing may prove principle and make history.
yet they are Indifferent economy and not
always the best way of accomplishing our
ends or securing what we want. Action is
equal TO reaction. Anger stirs up strife.
The mention OF idea of force or violence puts
q new and ugly lace on things and makes an
equitable and agreeable settlement next to
impossible. The picture OF old Mr.. Pickwick
at the end of the stretched reins. with al
elevated whip, trying to make terms with the
excited horse is iull of instruction. Fight
and force are the ''utimo ratio" And when
they begin there is no Cancellation short of
exhaustion.
The old saying that the robes of lawyers
are lined with the follies of the clients Is
wonderfully true. Out of that mine of wealth
has grown tho multitudinous industries of
courts and officers and law books and the
richness Of oratory and logic If men had
only been able to keep their tempers, be lit
tie patient and have little sense. how much
would the world lack in law, rhetoric and
logic How much it might have gained
in peace, assurance, growth and happiness.
The best possible way to the getting Of our
rights is often merely patience. amiability.
common sense and q little honorable and
graceful conception. Not only does yielding
pacify great o1enses, but in thousand
cases and in strange ways soft and easy. ire
sstibly work out beautiful results and bring
US more than we dared ask or hope for. A
timely and good-natured giving up OF our
plain rights is over and over again the wisest,
best and most profitable policy that we can
adopt. Wisdom is better than weapons of
war. Aud 1t has the promise Of the life that
now is and that which is to come.