The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-04-26

SOi. xn. b- WOOuS VI -0ohhSohciss way was orator of the day at the Memorial exercises in OaKwood Cemetery yester- day afternoon, delivered an earnest and thoughtful address, in which he showed that decisions of the highest courts have vindicated the declaration of the Confed- crate States for State sovereignty and To- cal self government, notwithstanding the right of secession was submitted 10 the arbitrament of war. and decided of course against the South.
 Colonel Woods was a member of the Alabama Legislature of 1860. which adopt cd the joint resolution instructing the Governor, in the event of the election of ( Republican President, to call the Se- cession Convention. He was also a mem her of the Alabama Legislature at the time that body adopted resolution pledg- ing the maintenance of the secession or Alabama.
 The complete address of Colonel Woods is as follows:
 Mr. Chairman, Ladies of the Memorial
 Association and Ladies and Gentle
 men:
 Men gifted by nature with eloquence; men skilled in the arts of oratory; men of light and leading have gathered so many rich and ripe shaaves from the field from which I must gather today, that it seems to me there is little left for any one to bring to the gamers of those who havo come on this annual recurrence of the beautiful ceremonial to pay loving [ tribute to our fallen heroes of, what the highest court in the land has pronounced. "the greatest of civil wars" It is my pur- pose, however, to gather what may from the records of the opinions and judgments of the Supreme Court Of the United States. announced by that court l,, fh.a and the re- suits of that great and terrible conflict, with the hope that what l may bring from that field will afford some susten- tation and comfort to those who so loved and cherished, and still love and cherish, the principles for which the Confederate soldiers fought and suffered, and for which so many died. In doing this, Edo not commit myself by any means, to an approval of all that the Supreme Court has said or done in these cases, but do believe that that august tribunal, when all the circumstances are consid- cred, has foundation to support 1t when 1t announced in one of the cases from which I shall quote more or less largely, that, Whatever fluctuations may be seen fin the history of public opinion on the subject of our complex form of govern rent during the period of our national existence, we think 1t will be found that this court, so far as its functions re- quired, has always held with a steady and an even hand the balance between the State and Federal power. and we trust that such may continue to be the history of it's relation to that subject so long as 1t shall have duties to perform which demand of 1t a construction of the Constitution or of any of its parts" B.. Secession Not Nasty.
 Much has been said and written about the precipitancy with which the Southern States adopted ordinances of secession. I do not agree to this, for the action of Alabama was taken with unusual delib- eration as will be shown by a glance at the history of the movement.
 . The General Assembly of Alabama, on the z4th day of January. 1860. solemnly declared that
 'ro permit a seizure of the Federal Government by those whose unmistak' able aim is to pervert its whole machin. cry to the destruction of a portion of its members would be an act of suicidal madr ess and folly without a parallel ir history; and that the General Assembly of Alabama, representing people Joy ally devoted to the union of the Consti- tuition, but scorning the union which fanaticism would eerct upon its ruins deem 1t their solemn duty to provide ir advance the means Dy Wnlcn they may escape such peril and dishonor. and de. wise new securities for perpetuating the blessings of liberty to themselves and their posterity.'
 In pursuance of this purpose the Gen eral Assembly adopted the following res 0lution: V
 ''That upon the happening of the con. tingency in the foregoing preamble namely, the election of a President advo' eating the principles and actions of the party in the Northern States calling itself the Republican party, 1t shall be tho duty of the Governor and he is required forthwith, to issue his proclamation call ing upon the qualified voters of thi. State to assemble on a Monday not more than forty days after the date of sait proclamation at the usual places of vot ing in their respective counties, and cleo delegates to a convention of the State tC consider determine, and do whatever 1T the opinion of said convention, the rights Interests and honor of the State of Ala bama require to be done for their pro tection."
 The same General Assembly, on the fol lowing day, the 18th day of February 1860, appropriated the sum of $20O, 900 fol the military contingencies which such z course might involve.
 The result of the election by the popu lar vote, clearly manifested the certaint, of the election of the candidate of tn, 1860, he was elected by majority of tn, electoral vote of the United States. Tn,