Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-30
should forever securely dwell the liber-
ties OF the people.

should forever securely dwell the liber-
ties OF the people.
1T was grand work, worthy OF the in
telligent labors OF the greatest minds.
The Constitution, as it came from the
hands OF its trainers. was compromise
OF the opinions Of those constructing it.
Some Of the members OF that convention
OF 1877, under the guidance of Alexan-
der Hamilton, desired to establish q
strong central government, because, in
their opinion, the interests contided to
1t could best be protected. Others main
tanned that too much power conferred on
the general government would be de-
structive OF the rights OF the States
which formed its component parts. and
that in the safety of the States could
alone be found the safety OF the Union.
That theStates were the original deposi-
tories of power. They were the original
sovereigns. while the powers TO be con-
ferred upon the departments of the Gov
ernment Of the United States should be
clearly defined and specifically limited.
They were not primitive, but deriva-
tive powers aud all power not speci-
fically designated was reserved for the
States themselves.
These latter were the planets OF the
governmental system. Their ORBITS were
marked, and must not be interfered with
by the governmental sun or their light
lessened too greatly by the brilliancy OF
his rays. In the heavenly bodies the
paths Of the sun and the planets are
separate and distinct. Should the
former move out of his designated
course and into the orbits OF the planets
darkness, death, and destruction would
follow, while il the planets should fer
any reason leave their marked paths and
infringe upon the broad, well-defined
course OF the central orb, confusion,
gloom, and desolation would result.
The Union could be preserved only by
the indestructibility OF the States and
could be broken into fragments by the
voluntary withdrawal Of their allegiances
and support.
In formulating the rules for the gui-
dance OF this new republic, it was not
intended that the creators, the States
themselves, should be crushed by any in
strument OF their own creation. In that
case the people would be returned to
form of government they abhorred, and
from whose tyranny and oppression
their forefathers had breasted the storm
tossed pillows of the majestic Atlantic.
THE QUESTION OF STATES RIGHTS.
Any attempt to insert clause in the
Constitution prohibiting the secession
OF State could not have succeeded, as
every student of the early political his
tory Of this country well knows.
But if tho Constitution said nothing
on this subject, many Of the States that
ratified it said much. Pennsylvania,
Massachusetts, and Connecticut are on
record through the acts OF their State
Legislatures and Governors on this
question of States rights, while the
New England States, through their re-
representatives. in the Hartford Convention
OF 1884, evidently held the same opinions,
and would have recommended secession
as q remedy for the grievances they then
complained Of if the war with Great
Britain, which was destroying their
commerce and coast trade, had not
ceased.
In those days this construction Of the
Constitution was recognized by the
North rs well as the South, and even ct
later period many men from the
former section OF the country maintained
tho same opinion, for no less person
age than William Tecumseh Sherman
wrote in 1860 from the Alexandra Mill
tary Academy, in Louisiana, that it
would not do for him to stay there. lest
J.. might have to fight for Louisiana
against Ohio.
Whatever may be said as to the pow
~, Of the States which afterwards joined
the American Union, there can be no
question of such rights SO far as they re-
ferred to the original thirteen States
ratifying it. The right Of their With
drnwal was clear, and their statesmen
have spoken with no uncertain sound
that the allegiance Of the citizen is first
due to his State.
1t is true twenty-six years have
elapsed since the people OF the two sec
tions held intercourse at the cannon's
mouth. The different constructions Of
the Constitution were left to the arbi-
trament OF the sword, and by the sword
these past issues have been de
cided. They are not referred TO
now for the purpose of kindling
the flames OF sectional strife
but simply to show to coming genera
tions the motives guiding those who
bore arms in the contest. There is but
one country now, one Union, one flag,
one Government, and it is therefore the
duty Of the South to contribute her
share towards making the Republic
what all just governments should be-a
blessing to her citizens.
Virginia reserved the right to with
draw from the Union as one OF the con-
ditions precedent to her ratification OF
! the Constitution. SO when conven-
ton called in 1861 to consider this ques-
ton. representing her sovereignty III ITS
highest sense, declared that the brilliant
star which for eightytive years had 20
gloriously represented her IN the crown
which bound the brow OF the American
Union should be transferred TO the
southern cOlisUtlldllcl hCi NSSioiDh ""0
mandatory upon her citizens, and when
swords and sabres leaped from their
scabbords in her defence there was no
stain of treason upon their flashing
blades or a single drop of traitors blood
in the veins of the brave men who so
gallantly welded them on the field OF
battle.
GLORIOUS TO SEE MONUMENTS RISING.
1t is glorious spectacle TO see monu-
ments rising in honor of the memory OF
such men. They stand not only to
mark the love and respect OF their com
rades and friends, but to prove states
and a peoples gratitude for the soldiers
whose breasts were barred to the iron
hail.
Beautiful Richmond is fast becoming
monumental city. Not many blocks
away in the Capitol Square proudly sits
on spirited steed with extended arm and
hand pointing to the South George
Washington, the Father OF His Coun-
try." whose sword won the independ-
ence of the republic, the citizen who
put aside the purple robe OF royalty,
preferring the tranquility, peace, and