The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-05-10
THE BIVOUAC OF OUR DEAD.
Continued From First Page.

In this case the people OF the States.
through their duly-COnstituted authOri-
ties. and ~. ia aii the soiemnities of their
established laws, declared their decision
upont he momentOus questions at issue.
CHARGE or TREASON.
But the men on trial have other prin-
ciples than these TO repel the charge OF
treason They were the children OF men
who only a century before had made
good upon the nold Of battle the great
declaration that an governments derive
their Just powers from the consent OF
the governed-that when governments
failed I'm the objects for which they We're
Instituted. # is the right of the people
TO alter or abolish them, and Of this ne
ccssity the people are themselves the
judges II these great principles, declared
by jefferson and maintained by Wash
ingtOn, relieved their august names from
the imputathm of treason when they
proclaimed the independence Of their
State from the mother country, shall
their descendants be accounted traitors
for attempting TO re-establish her indie
pcndence against the claims Of the Fede-
raj Union;
We make another and still stronger an
sWer TO the charge of treason. The War
OF the Revolution wrought the independ-
ence not OF the Union, but or
thirteen sovereign Colonies. These indie
pendent States performed every power,
and demanded every right OF sovereignty.
They entered the compact OF the Federal
Union. surrendering To the new govern
ment only certain attributes OK sove-
reignty which were specifically enume-
rated. To secure 10 the compact states
hesitating 10 enter. amendments 10 the
Constitution were promised and after
wards adopted declaring more eX-
piicitly that powers not specifically sur
rendered were reserved TO the States, fe-
spectively.
Before and at the time of the formation
Of the Union, therefore. the contention
was made by many Of our greatest states
men and purest patriots that the right
OF State 10 Withdraw from the Union
had never been surrendered, and could
Dee exercised when deemed advisable.
History is repiete with arguments
10 establish this view. Time
forblds a citation. Suffice % 10 say that
two theories existed and were honestly
believed. ON the one hand that the al-
lse!ance OF the citizen was 10 the Union.
on the other that State could withdraw
from tile Union. and claim tile allegiance
OF its citizens. and this latter view was
strengthened hy the undouhied fact that
al citizenship sprung from tAe STATE "Iu
not from tile Union.
This much o. said. not In the spirit or
controversy. but 10 demonstrate that men
who acted 30 obedience 20 the mandates
Of their states can never with iufice Dee
condemned as rebels or traitors jefferson
Davis "the head ana front of this Offend
Ing" was indicted In yonder courtroom
for treason. I'm the sight OF all the worid
he plead not guilty. and demanded the
Judgment OF the law. but his case was
never brought 20 trial.
THE UNION.
put bovond the vindicatiou Of the men
whose memories we honor. there are
other considerations which Justify re-
Wow OF the rights and motives OF the
participants I'm that great struggle. Tie
war is over: we are feIl0w-ciuzens once
more Of a united country: let MS make
the Union not only one I'm law. but one in