Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-02-10
DIR. CURRY'SLECTURE
, SPLENDID AUDiNecE At RICH
moNp COLLEGE LAST NIGHT.
An Interesting Comparison of the Consti-
tuition of the Confesierscy and That
Of the United States.


-------------
"A large and intellectual audience lis-
sena With earnest attention 20 the splen-
ana address Of Hon. J. L. NJ. Curry be-
core the Geographical ana Historical So
,t.tv and the law class of Richmond Cob
ieec last night.
Tho chapel OF this honored institution
,.,e crowded with ladies and gentlemen.
.nA the spcaker was entertaining from
,ho beginning 10 the close OF his re-
marks ,,D c,-r,, were
r,yernor Charles r. O'FerralL Mayor j.
,r,vIor Eliyson. Jackson Guy. Esq, ana
,,r,,sesor Boaturight In the audience
So. many of Richrnond's most prominent
,t..ss and professional men, among
,n,,, Hon. John Y. Massey. Judge James
- I,nb. James Lyons. II. III. stegar.
"A a. shelton. RoscwcH rage, anu
others , ,o.,.,,,uv
r-bc rostrurn was pretty and tastefuly
,1.r1ratcd with palms ana ferns. ffo'cf-
,or DoAtwright introduced the orator III
sow appropriate words. and Dr. curry
", e-rcc,eA with prolonged applause. His
subject was ..-,,....,.s. ~ ,bo
IL, states with that Of the Confe1erat,
States 81 America
DIR. CURRYs OPENING,
~or,, In opening said that what
,.oula present would not be partisan
c.topai but "A dry historical STUDY
-, c,nparatlvc politics. The acuon Oh
80 .[.cs.iing States and their motives
,.ere ia be Judged by referring 70 me
,rg,nic law. which was the authotl'a',Ne
cxrression II the purposes anu pthoid ~,
81 the Confederate Government ~
delegates 10 the Congress were INV,
,',sitivc instructions. in some cases 70
80, a government upon the basls OF
49, fnosfitution Of the United states.
,rbo nurfose Of every member was 10
,,,fo-,n "a nearly as possible 10 tne
,I1 instrument according 70 the wen,
,..y,, intent az the fathers OF 1871. ana
e.. ask nothing beyond what had bten
.liudicated by tine Supreme court ana
,,nirtcrruptcdly claimed since the orsah'
ystior Of the Union. In ms cohhec'ion
,,ss read an editorial from the New Nork
gt.r.,ld Of 10th OF Marcel. 1861, then, as
~, one or the leading and most IN
ru.rtial papers In the United States al
-i.irg President Lincoln 10 summon an
,strq session ~ Congress IN order 10
,rc.ut the Confederate Constitution. ana
/, ,ont rs giving entire satisfaction to the
f.uavwnfYl sisters ana as containing
many necessary amendments
TREASON AND REBELLION.
u strong language Dr. Curry resented
tne stock phrases Of treason ana re-
1suipn. Rebellion. he said, Is open Ie-
si.tence t. or violation OF lawful au-
.t.rifv. and to call southern men rebels
Was IAN impudent assumption OF the ques-
t.p at issue There was not the slightest
analogy between rebellion and the great
constitutional struggle. which was IN
erircd by respect for supreme law, ana
thr und,legated Sovereignty Of the states.
Tho PAPER was confined to an cnumcra-
fi1u avoiding arRumentative discussion OF
rho most important differences between
tho two instrumcI ts. These we're FOUND
mainly i'm the preamble. Ia the powers
~ the Executive IN the general grants
aud limitations TO and upon Congress
and in the clauses in reference 10 slavery.
A'uch stress was laid upon the restrictions
IN the taxing power. thereby securing
most onectually the liberties Of the peo-
1lc. The main changes could be CLASSIFIED
under three heads.
T. Additional and less disputable guar
nnteos against anti-slavcry legislation.
2 Prevention Of the enlargement Of the
Mowers and jurisdiction Of the General
Government opposition 10 the centrpetal
forces which were ccutrallzing the Union
more and more every wear.
O. Correction Of the abuses Of the tax
ing power, the people having need To be
protected against the usurpauons and
expressions of government, as well as
against domestic violence and foreign In
NdsiOn.
SLAVERY DEAD.
slavery" Or. Curry declared. "is dead.
Secession Is dead. The Lost Cause can
rcyer be revived. The Union Is never
81 be- impcrillod by those dead issues but
there are ether and greater questions
pressing for solution. and the students
e. th.. college ana all having influence
rnI authority would be worse traitors
thin ever laid hands OF the ark of our
national covenant If they did not labor
lrrolcally and nobly IN the preservation
81 our free institutions and the permanent
guaranty Of the true rights Of man.
Tho Confederate Constitution did rot
infringe In tine slightest degree upon the
lirhts Of any northern State or citizen
and many Of the improvements In that
Instrument have been adopted in statutes
,r have met the approval of our wisest
YubUcists and statesmen. North ana
south need reCoT structon, not so much
10 legislation as in sentiment, In ira
terulty. m the conviction Of the need of
undivided Caucasian energies, working
E, a wise solution Of the great problems
which Providence had devOlved upon
them. what had been accomplished by
the North and the South in All depart
insuts Of government ia all the utilities
% practical HE. In all the duties of re
isiou aud citizenship shows that they are
Of one blood. and possessed az common
characteristics.
no people had given better and nobler
Illustrations Of the higher human virtues.
Before them lay a future OF vast and
!apiring possibilities.
COULD BE TRUSTED.
eve had demonstrated that people
,rder proper restrictions. with the Sc
,rity OF concurrent majOritcs and writ
tn constitutions. with local self-govern-
il.nt could bc safely trusted with politi-
,4l powers, ANA that a standing army,
constructive treason. a national church,
"a aristocracy Of caste OF class. of birth
or Office. are not necessary to hold the
governed In loyal and cheerful obedience.
with tIclity 70 the Constitution and the
I,uIttur Union, 10 the States. with a
union Of hearts ana hands OF all sec
tior.. rejecting the perilous dogma that
q th. Victors belong the spells. with its
3rquruCr Of legislative corruption. sine
cur offices and administrative nepotism.
our government might long continue an
example OF Liberty Enlghtening the
lE.tfH