Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-04
EVE OF THE CONFLICT
rHE POLITICAL EXCITEMENT JUST
ANTICIPATING HosTIL1TIEs.
THE EFFORTS TO KEEP PEACE.
Confederate Matters.
a the Editor of the Dispatch:

confederate hAINSEs.
10 the Editor of the Dispatch:
In the fall Of 1853 political excitement
was high, and the whole country was
stirred from centre to circumference
Ruuors of war were heard and talked
among all classes Of people. At the coun-
ly courthouses and cross-road stores,
kn,all gatherings Of citizens were seen
here and there discussing with more or
less excitement the dangers Of the coming
conflict between the North ana
South On all sides was heard: our
constitutional rights must be preserved
Politicians were preaching these doctrines
20 old and young. Our southern repre-
Kentatives in the congress of the United
States were fred with patriotism, and
many speeches were mare touching the
dangers then threatening the whole coun-
+ try; and specially warning the people
against undue excitement and bitter feel
Ing. The Abolitionists OF the North were
offensive beyond endurance, and the tide
of disaffection among our people spread
like wildtire from the Mason and Dixon
line to the Gulf of Mexico. I disclaim
any wish or purpose to reverse the arbit-
raments of war: nor do ] wish our de-
scedants TO hold opposite opinions to
those Of their fathers; for persistent mis-
representation, and authentic records have
been perverted to our prejudice.
What the South claimed was that the
general government cmanated from the
people of the several States. and that
the States had the right to judge Of the
attractions of the Constitution. The
North was determined to abolish slavery,
and would not appeal to reason or JUS
tice:
when self the wavering balance
shakes
It's rarely right adjusted
If the North had any idea Of uphold
ing the Constitution. why did some of
her leading men forward such opinions
as these:
..There is a higher law than The Con-
etitution, which regulates our authority
over the domain. Slavery must be abol-
ished, and We must do it.''--William S.
Seward.
THE time is fast approaching when the
cry will become too overpowering TO re-
sist Rather than tolerate slavery as it
now exists, let the Union be disoifed
at once, and then the sin of slavery will
rest where it belongs. New York Trf-
bune.
The Union is a lie. Tho American
Union is an imposture, covenant with
heath, and an agreement with hell. Up
with the flag OF disunion. that we may
have free and glorious republic of our
1fa,,a r 1nSr1 nrriCn
II look forward to the day when there
shall be a servile insurrection in the
South when the black man, armed with
British bayonets and led by British Off
GERS, shall assert his freedom and wage
a war Of determination against his mas
ter."--Joshua r. Giddings.
"In the alternative being presented of
the continuance of slavery. or a dissolu-
ton of the Union, we arc for dissolu-
lion. and we care not how quick it
zones. Rufus b. Spaulding.
II have no doubt but the free and slave
States ought to be separated. The Union
is not worth supporting in connection
with the 4South'-Horace Greedy.
1.-The times demand, and we must have
mn enti-slarery constitution, an anti
slavery bill. an anti-slavery God"-Anson
, Burlingame.
OF NO AVAIL.
Tremendous efforts We're put forward
4 sornins struggle. but to no avail / was
pnly a boy Of il. and stood In utter
sn1azement and wondered what was the
mAaning Of it all. Mr.. William Dinwiddie.
If fAlhernarle county. Va. who after the
war became p very distinguished Presby-
terrain minister. was principal OF large
male school, at Greenwood Depot, not
far distant from the University of Nir-
.sinta This school was a preparatory
school for young men for the university,
and was largely patronized by the sons
OF wealthy planters Of the South. Many
of these students came from New Or
leans. and other southern cities. We
rad two or three hundred students in at
tendance-the professors We're Thomas
= Dudley, Charles /. c. Minor. John
Murray and James NJ. Garrett John
and Harmon Dinwiddie. brothers of the
principal, were also professors-Dr. Ihos.
y. Dudley became Bishop Of Kentucky.
z Or. c. T.. c. Minor was for years the
president OF the Virginia Agricultural.
md Mechanical College. now the Virginia
Polytechnic Institute. Mr.. Harmon Din
Widdic. died during the war, and Dr..
ythn Dinwiddie became a Presbyterian
minister. AS had been our custom. we
gathered together daily In groups. discuss
Ing the political situation OF the country.
Some OF the boys would receive letters
from home telling them or the coming
hangers arising from the threatening
tboiitionists and fanatics of the North.
Angry war clouds were gathering thick
and fast. Bitterness of feeling was In
7 rreasins on both sides and sectional asi-
tatton was becoming more and more as
The time approached for the political
sattle Of 1860. The Republican Conyen-
hon met In Chicago In May 1860. and on
the third ballot. Mr.. Abraham Lincoln.
" II,yzpis. was nominated for the Presi-
kcnel and Mr.. Hanlin. OF Maine. for the
3 Vice. Presidency. Mr.. Lincoln was known
70 be an al,olishonist. and owed his nom
nation TO only about thirteen states. all
Northern. This was the death-knell Of
e All hope NJ peace: and divided the Union
into two hostile geographical nations
During the fail the excitement was so
Ercat that little work was done In the
4 classroom. a military company was or
Efi,ized among the students and much
ess.,A was occupied in drilling. and study