The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-06-19
Kreas ana distinguished leader IN war

:
AT another time we hope TO review this
address more in extenso. but for tho pres
ert we direct special attention to what
Mr.. Adams says OF virgtnin and her at
titude in those trying times. when she
was called upon to decide whether or not
she would secede-
After reviewing tho facts in tho case
Mr.. Adams says that it must always DO
remembered that Virginia. did not take her
place in the secession movement because
OF the election OF an antt-slavery presi-
dent: did not raise her hand against the
National Government from mere love OK
any peculiar institution or wish to pro-
tect or perpctuate it. THE ground OF
virginia's hnal action" he proceeds.
was OF wholly another nature and OF a
nature far more creditabie. Virginia
made State sovereignty cardinal ar.
ticle of its political creed. So. logically
and consistently. she took the position
that, though 1t might be unwise for q
State to secede State which did secede
could not, and should not, be coerced.
He says further on that with Virginia
1t was question not OF slavery or OF
tho wisdom or even the expediency OF
secession, but OF the right Of .ae Ma
tional Government 70 coerce sovereign
State
virRinia's position in that terrible
crisis was pathetic. While believing IN
tho right Of secession, the great body OF
her people was not disposed to secede.
They did not desire to withdraw from
the Union. Nor did they, as Mr.. Adams
truthfully says. desire to perpetuate the
institution OF slavery. 1t has been 80
often pointed out that it is not necessary
here to repeat the facts that from the
beginning Virginia was opposed to the
extension Of the slave trade. even when
other States were In favor of 1t; that
she protested against its extension ana
gave every evidence of her desire by de-
grees and In her own way to be rid OF
free, and il there had been no war 1t is
as sure as anything unknown can be sure
that Virginia would have gradually
abolished slavery within her borders
Nor was it for the principle and right
OF secession alone that Virginia took up
arms. There was another moving cause
we may say. an underlying motive. She
was placed in the position where she
must take SIDES either with the States
OF the North or with her sister States
of the South, to whom she was indisso-
lubly bound by the ties Of blood, by the
ties of association, by the ties or traoi-
ton and by the ties Of warm-hearted
Southern affection. To side with the
North was to side against her sister
States of the South. to fight with the
North was to fight against her kinspeople
in the South. Nor could she find 1T In
her heart to take neutral position, II
such a position had been possible. Inc
Southern States were in for nght.
They were to be coerced. 1t POSSIBLE oy
the North. and she, although knowing
that her territory would be the battle
ground and that she would suffer worse
Of all threw oil consequences to Inc
winds and cast her lot with her klns-
men, Never, though we say 1T OF our
own state. vas a more beautiful example
Of chivalry and heroic sacrifice.
Mr.. Adams in his address recognizes
this fact and makes glorious note OF 1t.
Thus" says he, ''when the lonE-deferred
hour of rateful decision came the position
of Virginia, be it In historical justice
said. however impetuous, mistaken or ILL
advised, was taken on no low or sord1d
or selfish grounds. On the contrary, the
logical assertion of a cardinal article OF
accepted political faith, it was made
generously, chivalrously, in spirit al
most altruistic: for, from the outset, 1t
was manifest Virginia had nothing TO
gain in that conflict OF which she must
perforce be the battle-ground. True, her
leading men doubtless believed that the
struggle would soon be brought 70
triumphant close. mat Southern chivairy
and fighting qualities would win q quick
and easy victory over a more materially
r,inded-eyen IL not craVen-Northern
mop OF IIHHlICS allo ScoS'S' o $3.50 t'SNt~>,0'
Differed by preachers: but. however, thus
deceived and misled Mt the outset. Viz
ginia entered on the struggle others had
initiated, for their protection and in their
behalf. She thrust herself between them
and the tempest they had invoked. Tech
nically, it may have been reasonable, but
her attitude was consistent. waa bold.
was chivalrous.
"An honorable murderer. Is you will;
For naught did he in hate, but all in
honour"
Virginia paid dearly for her sacrifice
She was indeed. as she knew that she
would be, the battle-ground Her terri
tory was overrun time and again by tho
armies of both sides. Her fertile fields
were laid waste, her industries were torn
down, her cities and towns were destroy
ed by fire. She came out OF the war be-
reft of everything. save her honor and
the indomitable spirit of her people. and
thousands upon thousands of her best
,oer, who went to the war never return