The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-01-04
DIR. AvIRETT's ADDRESS.
CAPTAIN Ashes Analysical Estimate of
the Winchester Grafton.

the Winchester Grafton.
10 the Editor: Through the Hberahty
of the devoted Confederate, Chatles b.
Rouss, there has been published N
pamphlet the proceedings at the stone
wall cemtery, Winchester, Va, on the
18th of September last, when the foun-
dation stone was laid for the monument
to be erected in honor of the 497 North
Carolinians inferred there. These pro-
ceedings have a mournful interest to all
patriotic Carolinians. During the en-
tire period of the great struggle, WIN
chester was the very center of the mad
storm of war. Here continually came
victory and disaster, and all the dire ca
lamities of fierce warfare were daily ex-
perienced by it's devoted inhabitants.
In the course of four years, eighty
seven times Winchester fell, and eighty
seven times the flag of the conqueror
replaced the colors of the Vanqulsned!
No other spot ever witnessed such a
spectacle of successive triumphs and de-
floats And there as elsewhere North
Carolinians shared the glories and the
here. too. as on all the great battle
fields of the war, North Carolina suffer
ed most and laid upon the altar more
lives than any other State. Because
our slain there outnumber all others,
the plot of honor in the Confederate
cemetery was awarded to North Caro-
lima.
On the day of the proceedings describ-
cd in the pamphlet before US, the brave
General Cheek having handsomely ex-
pressed ''to the noble, patriotic, gener-
Gus and loving women Of historic old
Winchester" his grateful appreciation
of their pious care Of our dead, in fit
ting terms introduced the orator-the
Rev. James Battle Avirett-who was
chaplain of Ashby's famous cavalry, and
who. although devoted Carolinian,
has long been closely associated with the
good people of Winchester. 1t is of Mr..
Avirett's address that we wish to write
to-day, for it carries ones thoughts
whirling through the historic times of
which it treats. We thank Mr.. Rouss
for its publication, for its merits deserve
preservation and frequent perusal.
Indeed it is a notable contribution to
our war literature. The leading question
discussed in it is-"Who was the Rebel
The Traitor-The Trans-susqgehaan
man or the Cis-susquehanna man." All
to its elucidation Mr.. Avirett briggs ripe
scholarship, large acquaintance VITA
the principles Of government, and with
the circumstances under which ear con-
stitutioa was framed, and an eloquenee
that enehains the attention throughout
his argument.
He shows how the clashing between
the Hamiltonian and Jeffersoniaa
schools of thought resulted in the estab-
Fishing Of a government based on COM
promises. and as compromises settle
nothing but leave the antagon;stic prin-
ciples at work to secure the mastery, he
shows how eventually the conflict arose
between centralism and the doctrine Of
State-rights. The contest was ever Oh
the same lines though the causes OF
quarrel were often diverse. At length
the denial was reached when the Nerts
no longer observed the constitution, ane
the compact broken by one side was dis
solved as to the other.
Indeed, Mr.. Avirett has given us q
masterful presentation of the subject
one that will augment his reputation and
claim the attention Of the thoughtful
student in years to come.
Proceeding with his address, Mr.
Ayirett as of peculiar interest to his
audience dwelt somewhat largely oa the
battle of Sharpsburg, giving an account
of that great contest between Lee anc
Mcclellan that is noteworthy for its
clearness and precision of statement.
His eulogium on the army of Virginia
is particularly fine, while the tribute
he pays to Vance, the great War Gov
ernor, and to the people of North Caro-
lima is admirable in conception and ele-
CANT in language.
All in all, as it splendid performance
by this accomplished scholar, and We
know not which to admire most hli
sterling patriotism and correct principles
his masterful augmentation or his elo
quence that so thoroughly charms while
casting a bright radiance over every sub
jeet he touches.
s. A. ASHD