The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-13

mon OF the South made no mistakes and
were infalible is preposterous.
II IS not at all necessary for any man
to adopt the views of any other man on
any given subject, but there can be no
Gound opinion on any question II every
man is bound by the opinion or tho sup
posed opinion OF the majority. We arc
not engaged in "A revolution but we are
besides being citizens OF Virginia also
citizens OF the United States. whose con-
stitution and laws we have sworn to up
hold and maintain. There Is no cOnceiv-
able reason why we should not discuss
our past history and present and future
prospects both at home and elsewhere In
any way we choose.
During tho French revolution. Bertrand
Baroro. one Of the leaders i'm the National
Convention. made motion that terror
be the order OF tho day and wonderful
as II may appear that resolution was
unanimously carried I'm the same event
ful year OF 1898 and IN the same conven-
ton tho famous law Of the suspects
was upon the recommendation Of tho
Committee Of General Security also unan-
imously adopted. By this law any person
suspected Of lukcwarmncss or dislike OF
Tho government was subject 90 arrest ana
trial before tho Revolutionary Tribunals
drcd thousand Frcnchmon wcrc sent 10
prison under &c. and it's purpose the abb
souto suppression Of the freedom OF dis
cussion. was Immediately accomplished.
and the reign OF terror inaugurafcd with
fun sweep. There are modern histo-
rians who think that this measure was
necessary for the preservation OF France
from her foreign and domestic enemies.
for at that time she was fighting the
whole of Europe.
But no such conditions confront as In
this country and yet the lcgitimate I'M
ference % Dee drawn from the position as
sumed is tho denial OF the rieht Of free
dom of speech. and putting The man who
disagroos with you under the iron rule
Of the "loi des suspects" You have no
power 20 incarcerate and yet you propose
10 taboo tho person with whose opinions
YOU DO not agree
The greatest glory Of Virginia is that
her civilization gave 20 the world George
Washington. and George Washington and
John Marshall. more than alt others COM
hinod di1 most to establish tho United
States. Where can you find man who
takes greater pride boo George Washing
ton than Professor Trent?
a great people can stand any kind OF
criticism and 60 is only those who are
weak who need fear either the pen or tho
sword. Tho South is strong enough and
great enough 90 have any amount Of
free speech and free CRITICS ana b.
greatly in need Of 90 as an enlightened
countries are. especially nc home The
idea that any gentleman should Doe os-
traciscd because De docs not agree with
another is harharous and opposed 90 the
best interests Of the community
10 is due % the author to say that he
IS thirty-four years of age. native OF
Richmond. educated I'm its schools. at tho
University of Virginia and at the Johns
Hopkins University. and that bis ideas
are Of purely Southern origin. as DE has
never in any way been connected with
any Northern college. and that AN of
/ the lectures were delivered az the Uni-
vcrsitv OF tho South where they met with
the most favorable reception
He has written q brilliant book run Of
Information which shows tho highest or-
| der Of literary skill and If it s treason
for any one 20 defend his right to say
what he pleascs and whore bee pleasea
you can "make the most OF it,
, S. S. p. PATTESON.
Richmond va. April H. 1897