Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-31

misfortune the assassination Of Lincoln.
/ repeat enphatically that the untimeiy
death OF President Lincoln was regarded
by all thoughtful men OF the South as
one Of the most serious evils which had
befallen our section. and ! venture 10 say
that my southern associates here present
will sustain my assertion. We kho"
that during the war he devoted every
energy Of mind and body 90 restora-
ton Of the Union, and that result ac-
complisfed. we felt that his big brain
and his kind heart would prompt him to
deal kindly and lenlently with his fellow
citizens Of the South, for his highest
# not his sole aim. was 10 see the Union
restored: and It was a cruel fate that
deprived him of what he hoped Woulh
he the reward OF his labors, and the
South of one who would have been her
strongest protector in her sorest hour
OF need.
"Some of our northern fell0w citizens
seer 10 paraphrase the Biblical question:
can ANYTHING good come out Of Nazareth
bv spplving il to the South, but my
friends. we really are not all evil Put
yourselves in our places md Judge US
from that standpoint.
CONSTITUTIONAL COMPROMISE.
In the convention which adopted the
Constitution there were two parties which
held opposite positions, one urging the
formation Of a strong central government
and the other advocating the doctrine or
State rights II was attempted 20 recon-
cile these antagonstic views by a com
promise 10y which IL was declared
that all powers not delegated to the Gene
raj Government were reserved 20 the
states. but like all compromises, 1t left
this vital question unsettled. ana from
1851 until 1861 the proper construction 10
be placed on the clause Of the Consiitu-
ton just referred to has led to constant
and often angry discussion. This unfortu-
nate condition OF affairs was further COM
plcated by the Injection Of the question
Of slavery into il. and we all know what
has been the result Of those unhappy diff
ferenCes.
"These are now all dead issues. ard /
do not propose TO discuss them. II was
wise philosopher who said TO a general
commanding an army, 1 do not choose
to argue with the commander of ten le-
gions, and when the questions are sub
mitted 10 the arbtrament of the sword
the decision is generally in favor Of the
ten logions
SOUTHERN COURSE NATURAL
''The vexed questions which have dis
turbed the country since the foundation
of the government are at rest, and refer
ence to them is made only to show how
natural the course Of the South was, edu-
Gated as the people there were in the
school OF strict State rights.
Every southern man felt that call
made upon him by his State Was an i'm
perative command, and that his duty was
TO obey without hesitation and at all
hazards When the North called on its
citizens TO rally TO the old nag they re-
sponded to the summons from a sense Of
duty, as did the people Of the South 10
the call made on them. STATE alle-iance
and State pride i'm each case WAS the
cause which arrayed millions OF men in
arms in this country. and while the war
that brought them out caused untold
misery TO the country, IL has taught
lesson TO the nations Of the earth-that
Americans In arms can defy the world.
1T seems to me- too, mat II should in
culcate another lesson to US. ana that is
that the time has come when the actors
in that fearful fratrcdal strife AID those
whom they represented should judge
their opponents as they wish themselves
q be judged This can be done without
| the sacrifice Of principle on either side, as
the example of our mother country has
shown us. York and Lancaster, Cavalier
ana ROundhead, no longer wage war on
, each other All are lishmen, proud
Of their country. and the red rose and the
white are emblems Of peace AMI OF the
glory Of old England. Can we not all
be- proud Of the prowess o: the American
SOLDIER