Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-06
Mr.. Linco,n-Aqa.n.

MI. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The northern people hold the memory Of
Mr.. LINCOLN in great reverence, and can
no. for q moment tolerate any adverse
criticism of his war policy. Az we have
often SAID, We. too. admire him. and when
il occurred regarded his assassination "a
the greatest calamity which could have be-
fallen the southern people at the time that
monstrous crime was committed. Inc
whole brood Of reconstruction measures
wss Eatchc1 out of that homicide. lhe
northern peoples kindly feelings towards
the southern people were turned mo
malevolent purposes. The power to WON
their own sweet will" in legisla'h!
against the rebel" States came 10 inc
SrN,gNaKs, the BuTLYRs. the CHAsDifh''
to SUMMERS. and al that gang OF So"'"-
ba'ers, through the poor fanatic 0,
lunatic BoorH. Three or four years "a
unavailing war upon the southern S'a'es
had taught our northern brethren Goon
many profitable lessons; but an
these lessons were buried IN the
grave with Mr. LINCOLN. ma me
ma!.snity Of fends seemed 20 sue
coed. There was no pity "ha'c'e'
extended to the Impoverished southern
people. There never had been couu"H
devastated as tho South had been, and YET
her poyerty touched not the heart OF hei
c,norerors. They had won victory. anu
wore determined TO make the most OF IT,
Tho killing of M. LINCOLN united tIe
hands OF the enemies OF tho SouIh, uuu
tied the hands of oil her friends. FROM
that fatal day in April. 1868. tne southern
noonIe have never ceased to suffer for the
crime of Boom.
We make these remarks by way OF e1-
plana,ion to the Chicago Tribune when
takes rs TO tack for saving that Mr.. LIN
COIN violated the Federal Constitution.
which he had sworn 10 support, when he
emsncipated the southern slaves. Our
Chicago contemparorv, Ike one OF our VIZ
GINA Republican contemporaries con-
tends that the emancipation OF the slaves
was a war measure. aud therefore was not
done IN violation Of the Federal Constitu-
ton. But ia making this contention both
rapers beg the question. They assume
that Mr.. LINCOLN had the right TO free TIE
southern slaves rs a war measure, where
a. the sact -. in our opinion, that he had
no right 20 make war upon the
southern States AZ all. The Union
formed by our fathers was intended
20 be voluntary union. virginia Tor one
state would never have ratified the tede-
raj Constitution had she understood tha'
the Federal Government was to have the
power 10 coercc the States into remaining
in the Union against their will. In ratiiy-
ING the Constitution she stipulated II e1-
press and unarnbiguous term'tAat she was
20 have the right to Withdraw the powers
granted TO the United States Government
whenever those powers should De per
verted 70 her injury or oppression. Ids
stimulation always appeared in the Code
Of Virginia. and was held to be valid
by the people Of this State. 10 that
our Chicago contemporary simply under
takes TO Justify one violation OF his oath
Of Office ty Nr. LINCOLN by pleailng tha'
he violated II twice. We need not add
that the result Of the war between the
States nut an end to the doctrine Of Sc
cession. But il has not blotted out the
history of the United States nor chaced
FROM the memories of al men the doc
tfines held ard taught by the fathers Of
the republic. II Is only to keep tie page
of history clear from such bots as the
Chicago tribune would put upon 1t that
we refer il such terms as we use o.
the acts of Mr. LINCOLN and the
northern people. We are not conscious
that We entertain any uniusNfiable preJu-
dices against the conquefors OF the South.
We do not know how the country would
ever have 20. rid II the institution Of
slavery had Mr.. LINCOLN respected his
oath of Office or rather regarded IL as We
Of the South regarded II. And here LET us
add that we 30 not accuse MI. LINCOLN o.
having additionally violated that oath. 1t
Is not for Us 10 Judge him harshly. We
content ourselves with contending that he
did violate IT, To admit That the Federal
Government had the night 10 compel Viz
cinla t. remain IN the Union woGld he 70
charge the leaders Of the southern people
with crime whose magnitude We have
not language to describe.