Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-05-09

desire to use the term merely because IL
Is offensive, and claims to use 1t only De-
cause it is proper and pertinent ana po-
litely appeals to logic to sustain that use,
we can discuss the matter with IT IN coiu
blood.
We submit to our contemporary, then,
that it can probably understand this sem
sitiyeness about the old name If 1t Will
consider carefully some parts OF Its own
argument Whether the southern soldiers
were "rebels" is, of course, a simple ques-
ton of fact, and to say that they were
rebels against the government Is true,
is to beg the question outright. not to
argue It. The highest authority in this
country Is "the people," Prior to the war
the northern and southern people were
divided in opinion on the question OF 10
which government" the State or the
Federal, they owed primary allegiance.
The southern people held to the idea that
they owed it to the State Government;
the northern people that they owed 1t
to the Federal Government. Who was
to decide the question when the sole
Judges Of it's merits disagreed? Gould
the northern people decide 1t for the
southern people? Then the southern peo-
pie could decide it as well for the north
ern people. In the conditions both peo-
ern peoGe we're as loyal to the govern
ment which they recognized as supreme
as the northern people were to the gov
eminent which they recognized as SUI
preme. The two peoples stood on pre-
cisely the same footing. The application
of the word rebels by the one to the
other clearly has no other warrant or
authority than that Of any other epithet
which men may apply to those, tneir
equals. who differ with and oppose them
in matters of opinion.
We prefer, however. that the Eagle
shall attain to a right judgment by It's
own efforts and reflections. We Suggest
TO II. therefore, that 1t consider carefully,
and with strict impartiality. the ques-
tiols itself has raised: Q Whether the
Federal Government OF the uhlteo
States (prior 10 1869 was OF exactly the
same character and authority as the gov
ernments against which Washington
Cromwell. Garibaldi fought, and those
against which the Cretans and Cupans
are fighting to-day; and (9 whether the
people Of the South owed TO that Fede-
raj Government (prior to 1861 allegiance
of the same character as the Cretans
and Cubans owe to the Governments OF
Turkey and Spain to-day-the violation
of which constitutes them rebels In
fact? IL cit is rebellion that throws
over thrones" and IL lit Is rebellion
that makes republics" OF monarchies;
and II republics differ from monarchies
mainly in the respect that in republic
the government is the creature OF the
people and not their master; and that
IL derives its just powers solely from
the consent OF the governed; and Is SUD-
feet to change by them, as matter OF
right, when they deem change neces-
sary to their safety and happiness-it
would seem that the Confederate SOL
diers and citizens really held Vastly
different relation to the people OF the
Northern States. and their accepted gov
eminent from that held by the Colonial
American, Italian, Cuban, and Cretan
"rebels," In fact. to their several ana
proper governments. and that 1t Is SIM
nIv an abuse of words, therefore. to call
Confederates rebels" II the Eagle VIII
study this view Of the question, 1t VIII un-
derstand 1t and adopt 1t. we are sure.