Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-12

MIR. JUSTICE BROWN
their surroundings, the leaders OF the
States Rights party had not the ioIc-
sight to anticipate the immense develop
ment of the future, nor the preauuh oi
intellect TO appreciate the polluC'i
changes which the growth or the couh-
trv most inevitably bring about.
There is no reason to doubt their pa
triotism. their integrity. or good faith,
nor their attachment TO the Constitution,
as they understood il. Their funda-
mental difference with their brethren lay
I'm their construction Of the Constitution
no them ii il was simply new charter
OF the old confederacy. The Chteu
states were not a nation, but an agent
The Constitution itself was nothing more
than an enumeration of general aD-
stract rules. adopted by the several
states for the guidance and control oil
their creature-the Federal Government.
Apart from these rules, the Federal Gov
eminent had no functions and no eNls-
teuce.
Happily. their views did not prevail.
None of the principles they conDateu
so vigorously have ever been unsettled
none of their own doctrines nave ever
become incorporated in the law OF the
sired. we should have been living under
n different flag or under a remnant OF the
old one. Possibly, this would have been
"A better country; certainly, II would nave
been a very different one. Their prophe-
sizes of evil have not been fulhlled. Inc
Federal Government has, indeed, grown
stronger. slavery has been abOllsheu' vast
sums have been expended upon IN
ternal improvements, and our interior
NTH a N immense
merce made possible by Federal appro-
priations. great power has. indeed
arisen upon the banks of the Potomac
but 1t contains no threat OF an INVASION
Of the authority of the states. The Con-
stitutiOn has survived the shock OF
great war the rights Of the citizens nave
never been more carefully protecteu' the
line between State and Federal power mas
never been more accurately drawn.
CAPITAL. AND LABOR PROBLEM.
In conclusion. Justice Brown said: 1t
is possible that the coming century
will produce problems of its own. Ihere
are disturbing elements in our present
social system which are calculated 10
excite the apprehensions of patriotic men,
The conflict between capital ana laDor
is something which legislation Is appa-
rentlv powerless TO remedy. So far as II
involves a question of wages arblralloh
may do much to mitigate its evils.
The ghost of monopoly has risen from
ito grave ana stalks abroad, defiant of
the law. in the shape of combinations ana
! trusts The necessaries of life are gradu-
/ ally being absorbed by them, ana the
/ time is not far distant when everything
we eat. drink, and wear, may have to be
/ purchased through the agency OF single
corporation controlling the product
! When this is accomplished, the freedom
IL. an l.
| tions already have destroyed individual
| enterprise in the most important branches
/ of trade. and the small producer mas al
! ready gone to the wall / believe l voice
| the almost universal sentiment OF the
/ country in saying that there Is no pre-
iudice against property, nor against
wealth, honestly acquired. The whole
theory of our civilization Is built upon
| the sanctity of private property, and the
natural right of man. by superior ability,
| industry, and skill, to rise above his fell
lows. Society must adapt itself 10 its new
conditions. and do its best 10 minimize
the evils of the situation. Legislation
may do something to stem the tide OF
| consolidation, but ii can scarcely DO more
| than localze the business Of the great
, capitalist. If, by combinations with otheE
| great operators he is able to monopolize
/ the product of the whole country in
-
menace. and a weapon for the Socialist
agitator.
RENDERED A VOTE or THANKS.
Justice Brown received quite an ova-
ton at the close OF his most able and
thoughtful address, and after the associa-
ton had passed vote of thanks for his
address, he was warmly thanked by the
| members. who crowded round him to eX-
tend their personal congratulations
! The Associations Banquet Last
Night.
The Bar Association entertained Mr.
| Justice Brown and number Of dlstln-
| euished guests at an elegant banquet
| given at the jefferson Hotel last nsht.
! Covers were laid for l25 persons, out
only ninety were present The banquet
was preceded by "a reception held III the
western section Of the dining-room. Al
$50 o'clock the guests were led into the
middle section of the dining-rOom. JUS
tice Brown being escorted by Judge
Christian. Among the guests were the
iudges of the United States courts.
After the supper the president OF the
association, Mr.. Roosevelt Page. in a lew
appropriate remarks. introduced the first
toast. "Our Guests" and called upon
Mr.. Justice Brown. Of the United States
Supreme Court, for the response. the
distinguished gentleman responded In a
talk fun Of good sense and Of partlcu-
larry happy character. He was enthu-
sigstically received and his speech fully
sustained the expectations aroused In
those who heard his great address on
Marshall in the afternoon.
The second speaker introduced was
Judge John II. Ingram, who responded
i'm words OF eloquence and wisdom to the
toast 1.-THE Bench"
Mr.. Il. NJ. Long responded TO that OF
"The Bar" His speech was happy and
witty, and more than once brought down
the house.
Mr.. IL. q. Buchanan responded TO 'Vir-
ginla," in an imprisoned address. ana
Judge l.. l.. Lewis 10 1.-The United
States" The judges references TO the
many recent evidences OF a united coun-
try and the healing of all sectional diff
ferences were well timed. and the APP
plause with which they were received
showed the sentiments OF the audience.
, Judge Lewiss speech was strong and
vigorous
| The last toast. Woman" was respond