The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1908-06-17

and independent States. and AFTER
maintaining these principles with the
bayonet and sabre an many bloody
fields, and through endless difficult
cies, when success had crowned their
arr4s, they formed the Union, and
delegated TO It by written Consti-
tuion just such rights and powers
as they chose for it to have. Virgin
Ia and New York expressly reserved
the right TO resssume the pow
ers granted TO The general government
whenever they chose to do So. Rhode
Island, two years later, when /. join
ed the Union, made the same ressr-
walton as did New York and Virginia.
IL Is a principle of law and justice,
too we'll settled to need discussion,
hat such a benefit to one party to a
contract, enures to the benefit of all
parties to the same contract; there
fore, the right to reassume the pow
ers granted the general government
]
cry one of the thirteen original States,
and having so accrued to them, be-
GAME the RICH. of each State SUISSE
quertly admitted to the Union.
This right could be nothing more
nor less than the right of secession,
for, by that means alone could State
rea ssume the powers granted the gen.
eral government.
The thirteen original States had
fought to its conclusion the War of
the Revolution to establish cheir right
10 secede from England; then, held
themselves. to be independent sover-
eighties, united together as free agents
for common purpose, and their right
to withdraw from the general govern
ment, at any time they saw fit, was
not denied or contradio,ed in the early
history of the Union.
In 1874, when the question of the
admission OF Texas into the Union
was at its highest, Massachusetts,,
through her Legislature, declared tina,
Congress had no right to admit a
new State, and that said admission
was not binding on her. No one
thought of coercing her, and et.noth-
ing short Of secession could have Civ
en- effect to her declaration. aI-
1t is not my purpose to discuss the
causes which led up to the secession
OF the Southern States; but, suffice 1t
to say, that when it became evident
to them, tina. even the decisions of
the Supreme Court of the United
States could not protect them in
their rights of property, and it became
apparent that they could no longer
live in State of peaceful union with
the Northern States, and this, too, on
account of an institution, which they
believed, Sanctinoed by holy writ;
nlzed by the Constitution, and as they
believed, sanctioned by hooly writ;
they chose to avail themselves of thei
clear right to withdraw from a politi-
cal association with States with which
.heS could no longer maintain AMIGA
BILE relations.
Their dignified and solemn with
drawal from the compact into which
hey had en6sred, done because the
other parties TO The compact had
ceased to respect It's provisions, was
as. far removed from treachery and
rebellion as it is possible for the hui
man mind to conceive; and, while
they were called rebels, until the word
.actually became a title or honor as APP
piled TO them, they were never prop
srly so called, and their descendants
should never be allowed to forge. the
real facts. The time has come when
students, both North and South, recOg-
nize the correctness of heir position,
and admire the patriotism which con-
trollrd their actions.
Certainly, in times tina. tried mems
souls, more lofty purpose, more self
sacrificing devotion to duty, were new
er witnessed.
Our soldiers opened the eyes of the
world to the true meaning of the
words, bravery and endurance, and
the Southern women became the per-
sorificaion of all that is noble, pure
and wOmanly upon earth her charac-
ter for devotion and loyalty shines like
a white light from heaven to uplift
hel' pos.erity, and guide them in the
pat hs of virtue and honor.
Gray-haired veterans of the los,
cause! never doubt that we of the
younger generation appreciate you for
your services 10 your country and
your homes in the time of peril and
disaster. Never harbor the thought
Sha. we will fail to do our duty by
you. 1t will be our pleasure, as well
as our dwy, to honor you when the
occasion offers, and when you shall