The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-05-11

Henry Z. Bcnntne commissioner from
Georgia, and Hon. John 8. Preston. COM
missioner from Georgia, and Hon. John
81 Prcstor, commissioner from South
Carolina, appeared before the Convention
to explain the causes which had induced
their respective States to withdraw from
:hc Union and to invite the cooperation
of Virginia.
pREsToN's ADDRESS
Mr. Preston, an orator by heredity, de-
.ivered an address OF SURPRISING elo-
Guence and power. In defense OF the
right as secession, he called attention to
the fact that in the treaty OF peace with
Great Britain that Government acnnowl-
edged the States severally by name as Sow
ereign and Independent States. that the
whole spirit and genius of the Constitution
of 17S2 recognizes the sovereignty OF the
States and its own nero agency In the
exercise of deputed and limited functions.
He referred to contenporaneous con-
structon, especially that of Virginia hF
Mr.. Madison, who declared that Inc
Constitution OF the United States was
formed by fhe sanction Of the States,
green by each in its sovereign capacity;
the States then being the parties to the
Constitutional compact and In their SOW
ereign capacity, It follows OF necessity
tina there can be no tribunal above their
authority to decide in. the last resort
whether the compact made by them be
violated. and consequently, as parties to
it, they must themselves decide in the
last resort"
He then proceeded to state the more
prominent and immediate causes which
had Induced South Carolina to abrogate
United States, and repealed the charge
that she had acted with rash prec1pi-
fancy.
In conclusion he said: 'In this fight
<ofa Sfpn1 alone
that little State around whose outermost
borders the guns fred at the Capito!
might almost be heard: whose scope Of
sky Is scarce large enough for one star
to- glitter IN: SO small, so weak SO few,
we began this fight alone against MIL
lions: and had millions been piled on
millions, under God, in such fight, we
would have triurnphed. But. Sir. that
Gcd cares for liberty, truth. and right
among his people, and we are no longer
alone. Our own children from Florida
and Alabama answered to the maternal
cali. and our great sister Georgia mar
st,ailed forth her giant progeny; the voice
OF Quitman ca.1e out Of his grave on the
Mississippi. and Louisiana proved her
self the offspring OF the Apostle OF LIB
erty; and now young Texas raises her
giant form and takes her place at the
heud OF this majestic column of confede-
rate sovereignties. Aud. sir. wherever
Virginia has a son beyond her borders.
his voice is known, because he speaks IN
the ancient tongue Of his mother. Mr..
President I, one Of the humblest OF those
sons, have told my adopted brethren, l
have promised them that before tho
grass grows long enough to weave
chapIet OF triumph, they will hear the
stately tramp Of a mighty host OF men,
a. sound as If the armies of destiny were
:ifoot and they will see floating above
that host a banner, whose whole history
is one blaze of glory and not one blot OF
shame; and corning up from that host
they will hear one voice only' the
,.esouodinc echo Of that voice
which Numbered into the hearts OF
your godlike sires. Give mo liberty
or give me DEATH and on that banner
will he written the ursullied name OF Viz
GINA The world knows her history and
knows no history above it in the niche