Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-10

strategic point the limo falters and falls
back Above the battles roar is heard
the voice OF the gallant Bee. Look.
there's Jackson, standing like a stone
wall; rally behind the Virginians"
Rally behind the Virginians! What a
glorious memory What a priceless heri-
tage for our chldreul (Applause)
In the Inspiring history Of this old
Commonwealth there are few more stim-
ulating instances than this call OF
Bee Rally behind the Virs'nlans"
God grant that to-day and i'm the years
10 come, amid problems and conflicts.
whether Of peace or war, we may be
counted worthy OF that confidence.
DO you ask for examples for fortituds
In the face Of defeat? / point you 10
Appomattox and the dark days which
followed. The remnant OF the armies
which had earned by their prOwess un-
dying fame In the field came back 20
find their families broken. their homes
In ashes. their people in poverty their
Governments In the hands of strangers
and their former slaves. To them the
battle Of life amid these dire surround
ings required indeed a fortltude greater.
If possible. than that exhibited in the
days Of strife
These are some Of the memo
ries which this occasion awaken.
These are some Of the memories which
bv this service we would consecrate and
keep alive. Great applause)
THEIR LIVES AS \ TESTIMONY.
We would not rekindle the dying embers
Of sectional strife nor yainly discuss
questions submitted 20 the arbitrament OF
the sword, but in the calmer light of
these after days we may, with profit,
consider for a moment the motives of
those who participated in that struggle.
As the world goes the victor has little
need to justify his course. 1t is the
vanqushed who finds the right OF his
pelled him impugned. Were the men
whose memories we honor rebels
and traitors? Did they lift i'm
pi0us hands against government
which had the supreme claim upon
their allegiance? The serrled graves
which stretch before US might answer
this question.
Greater love hath no man than this.
that he lay down his life for his friends"
in the lives Of nations as Of men there
are problems the solution Of which must
be left TO their conscience under God
when. yearning for the truth, their de-
cision is made. and with calm deIibera-
ton they give their lives as a testimony
Of their faith, then for such there Is no
tribunal competent to pass an adverse
Judgment this side the court OF Heaven.
II &c be objected that these sentiments
would Justify the conscientious anarchist
and insurgeut, We reply that society has
ALWAYS recognized the difference between
the actions OF individuals or unorganlzed
bodies and those Of a whole people acting
through orderly methods for the eXprCs-
sion and enforcement OF their views. In
this case the people ot the States, through
their duly constituted authorities. and
with all the solemiues Of their established
laws declared their decision upon the
momentous questions at issue.
THE PEOPLE THE JUDGES.
Rut the men on trial have other prin-
clples than this 20 repel the charge Of
rebellion. They were the children OF men
who only a century before mad made
GOOD upon the field Of battle the great
declaration that all governments derive
their lust powers from the consent Of the
roverned-taat when governments fail
I'm the objects for which they We're insu-
tinted AZ is the right OF the people %
alter or abolish them. and OF this neces-
sitv the people are themselves the Judges.
~ these great principles, declared by
Jefferson. and maintained by Washington.
relieved their august names from the im-
IMITATION OF treason when they proclaimed
me Independence Of their State from the
Mother Country. shall their descendants
be accounted traitors for attempting TO
re-establfsh her independence against the
claims OF the Federal Union?
We make another. and SIN stronger
answer TO the charge. The war OF the
revolution wrought the Independence
not Of the Union as a nation, but or
thirteen independent Colonies. These
INDEPENDENT States performed every act
ard demanded every right o, sovereignty
Tbey entered the compact OF the Federal