The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-05-21
OF BOOKS AND WRITERS.
WV Publication ny o<LEB
WILLIAM LOVING.
49,, lust Criticism offs New Book From O.
P.rutmsn'' son'-"Not " Grain OF Gold
a, All the Heap Of Rubbish"

.,r.rcArrON. SECESSION. WEB
NUS ARGUMENT. By Caleb VIII
siL''r wing a.. p. Putnams Sons.
l'tw yort and London. 1893. II. For
~. DIV west Johnston q co.
~ 1owas undertakes 10 present the
,,',,e,rn arguments In regard 10 NULL
and secession. Tho question at
iea"'" a.. of8 and sim the vital, one,
rational union was estaOllshed
etst,s or q confederacy OF indie
10y r.sgns formed. with the right
l''..b 81, d,clde upon the validity OF the
o. 10 .b, General Government and leave
49, ,.. .ios.yre. Nlr. Loving boldly pro-
u p. ..' 10, chic superiority In men and
S"...ee .r,t gave the North the victory
Ns"'." 6.-i5o she right or wrong OF Sc
D'' ..r ~ tbe richt ever existed IL re-
.,6-, he declares. Having stu
lH'.' 49,. l,,~efitution in the light or his
GU i creed having f0ruhed himself
~. f,ofe relating 90 one view OF our
N'....,,oD+ Mr. LovlEc, CONSCIENTIOUS
~ 5o,,bt states his conclusion mat
- -..t, s-d might both prevailed IN our
c,.n Var and in fun trust IN mat Iai1n'
D. suhuIfs his book 90 the pe'ple VI al
sections OF this country -. 4,
Nr Loving approaches ms 'uDy0OI 81
-. se-lous mood. his treatment or II
'.',,.-o1s and dctermined-thoroughl
rri,rfef De is prepared 20 battle va
I,,rrv far his principles. Why this spe-
lt.I e.bfect has been chosen by him,
"a what his attitude toward Il IS, are
r1.,rIv stated On the following paragraph:
oThere are many authors who have
~ Great length discussed this matter on
tro side OF the South, but the case Of
ne N1rth. 80 seems 20 me. has not
basn fully set forth. The idea appears
~ be creeping into history. a recent fad
81 some Northern writer's and commenta-
tors. that the nationality Of our Govern
ment was a question from It's inception.
and that the United States judiciary and
Congress by assumptions have largely
extended its powers"
Mr Loving claims that the Virginia
resolutions do not in the least counte-
nance the doctrine Of secession and nulli-
feation: he also claims that the explana-
tons of them by the Virginia Legislature
testify 20 an attachment and love Of
the Union. and o professed intent 20
strengthen and perpetuate it, To make
lis cause the stronger. Mr.. Loving
Judges Virginia, as Il were, out Of her
own mouth. Says he:
"That Nirginian Of Virglnians, Patrick
Henry. who so strenuously opposed his
States adoption Of the constitution. struck
The keynote when he objected that IL was
we. the people and not we. the States
that made the Government. Later, when
convinced Of the wisdom OF the adoption.
and Virginia had shown by it's resolutions
its objections 20 the alien and sediuon
Jaws. and discomfort al the rule OF John
Adams and the Federalists. he no less
IN
obedience 10 the laws OF the United
States" With his prejudice I'm favor Of
n national. Government, and mis- strong
sectional feeling which indorses heartily
the sentiment OF Zone nation, one Union,
one destiny" st IS not 90 be supposed that
mr. Loving can quite appreciate the real
attitude of Patrick Henry toward this
question of the States and the general
Government
Gle Patrick Henry valued the Union
Gs the child Of his loins, but ne valued
liberty more. and he latored 10 preserve
both by making union the handmade Of
liberty" This subtle distinction Mr.. Will
liam Writ Henry makes in explaining the
position Of his nlusuious ancestor to-
ward the adoption OF the Constitution.
Mr.. Loving gives no sign OF comprehend
ing the true spirit OF Patrick Henry I'm
this matter. So far as the facts are con-
Dernoi there is no On ound for the sup
position. that Henry ever changed his
views from those when ne said. speak
ins Of the Constitution: 81 am sure that
the dangers Of this system are real, when
those who have no similar interests with
the people of this country are to legislate
for us when our dearest interests are
20 be left I'm the hands Of those whose
advantage 10 viii be TO infringe them
That there might be no misunderstanding
or bus position, Henry said. "Tha voice
OF tradition. I trust. will inform posteritv
of our struggles for freedom. II our de-
Ecculants be worthy Of the name OF
Americans. they viii preserve, aad hand
down 90 tho latest pOsterity, the trans
notions OF the present times. and, though
! confess my explanations are not worth
the hearing, they win see L have done
my utmost 20 preserve their liberties"
Many points in Mr. Loving's book could
BE- questioned and sharply debated His
iorically some OF his statements are in
correct. his English is sometimes open
Do criticism. and his attitude is necessa-
.ily That OF a partisan. Because the
South is so largely and so fully dealt
with by Mr.. Loving, his book should be
read by Southern people. and answered.
o1 for that. If IL can be done In a
iignihed. impartial and thoroughly honest
manner n. b. w.