The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-05-16

stltutlon? Does Il not seem, therefore. TO
the unprejudiced mind that thoughtless
men who are hurting eplthets OF traitor
and rebel, and proposing to make treason
odious" because OF different intorprota-
ton OF clause In the constitution, are
LAYING themselves liable TO be occused OF
a mental violation OF another clause in the
constitution. which in article says, No
bill of a;tainder or es rostAacto law shall
he passed." Is their verdict. then. legal?
Are their erthets within the law as 1t
existed before 1860?
man very learned in constitutional juris-
prudence, and surely one who showed no
leaning towards the Confederate govern
ment. was before 1860 so fully committed
10 the right of secession that when the
Confederate president, made captive by the
fortunes Of war asked not for mercy. but
for a trial upon the merits of his case, he
evaded presiding at the trial. and Mr..
Charles O'Conor, the captive presidents
counsel, openly declared that Justice
Chase should he try the case. could not
with any appearance of consistency avoid
a decision in Mr.. Davis favor.
Now. In view OF article y of the amend
ments TO the Constitution, supposed 10 be
largely the work OF James Madison, when
says, 1.-THE powers not delegated to the
lMLed states bv tho Constitution, nor pro-
hibiied by Ii 20 the states, are reservoir
10 Inc States respectively VI TO the people,
does It not seem 10 the committee OF the
Grand Army that honest and patriotic men
might very we'll construe the clause III tWL
WAYS, and fight Tor thei. opinions, too.
without either party being rebels or trai-
tors" one may not rebel against one
own delegates whom he has created ana
It would seem there must be a superior
power 10 the delegates elected by the peo-
ole. 10 represent ana conserve their inter-
ss,s and who Is this power but .he united
power OF the state which sent them! lhese
delegates constituted congress, but the
amendment 10 the constitution has reversed
this order. Now congress ID supreme.
our property in slaves was recognized
ana projected by the constitution ana con-
gress. Yet the negroes nave been ireeo
without compensation. But The south @ees
not brand those who did SO as traitors u
roguus; yet ono clause of the Gonstiiulloh'
ii any OF them were obligatory, would seem
TO be as binding as another.
Perhaps the abolition OF slavery, 'nousn
1t VAS L gigantic wrong 10 the o" a..s VI
negro slaves. has in itself many elements
OF compensation, ana the people OF our
section. though plunged in poverty by the
act are silent. admitting that possiuilt!.
Looking upon tho Grand Army OF the
Republic as a body OF brave men VINO
would not willingly antagonize their ieiiow
citizens, or outrage gallant ana talieu
| foe, | would suggest that they require
that their school books give 10 each section
their due credit Tor sincere though opposite
convictions, for galiantry and Tor patriot
ISM, state the ground OF diIierehee sue
cinctly. and then. If 1t seems 10 theiLl
proper. also state that the constitution
was amended in 1866, and theAA'ticle is
then made secession treason, They wouiu
be- | am sure, very unwilling 10 believe
| that any honest man would suffer MS ehli-
dren to be taught that he was traitor
or allow them to swell the chorus OF those
who tried to make treason odious In the
| person OF their slres. l have long -peieVeo
| that the only way to heal the differences
| which have conyulsCd our unhappy coun-
! try Is to render each 10 the other their due
| need of praise. admit their different point
| zeal interpretations OF the Constitution and
| cease from railing and applying offensive
| epithets.
| When General Grants former foes came
| long distances to march with reyerert
mien to his place OF rest, they did not do
it as convicted and confessed traitors whose
| crime hal been condoned. nor did the
| Grand Army heroes receive them as such /,
| but the hands of honorable toes clasped
each other at the grave of their country
| man MS a pledge OF renewed fellowship al
| tor bitter struggle.
| IT, then. have Interpreted this mani
| fesiation OF a reunited country Alright, now
| can the recommendations Of the Grand
| Army committee be adopted by generous,
| fair-minded and hoSorable men?
| So long Us each section embialons on us
flags the battles fought in iratrlciaal
| war and acrimonious reviews are written
| OF events which happened in the course OF
/ IT, so long will people of the two 3cctitns
| handy useless epthets for submission TO
| insult is not more the prominent trait OF
the Southern than of the Northern people
For tho conservation and cemantlns Of
| friendship there must bn equality and JUS
| tice. am the granddaughter of one of the
New Jersey patriot soldiers of the reyolu-
ton and my family were about equally
| REPRESENTED In tho Northern and Southern
armies. and | cordially respect them both.
| NV knowledge OF their animus makes me
| confident that the rank and file of tue
Grand Army will see the justice of my
plea for cessation on both sides Of rail-
ing accusations against an honorable foe.
Mrs. Jefferson Davis.
Tho Girar1 Now Nnrl, Nav 4;