The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-06-10
tire Of Industrial and economic power
will rest with us. Duty demands our
h<.xt

tire Of Industrial and economic power
will rest with us. Duty demands our
best.
Last Test the Greatest.
THE last test OF our loyalty Is the
greatest: our devotion to those prin-
ciples for which the braves of Bethel
fought---the principles of self-govern-
ment Perhaps as we look across this
field to-day and see 1t habited again
with the dead--perhaps as we listen
to those who tell US how much noble
blood was shed; perhaps we should
thank God that the war is over. But
We must face the truth: the war Is
not over. we are still In the midst of
1t. The war, In truth, Ia not a contest
OF arms but of principle, single
clear-cut issue. 3hali the principles
Of local government or of national
government prevail: shall there by
forty EIGHT States or one nation Ap-
pomattox decided but one aspect of
that question. We learned then, as
a people, that we could not peace
fully withdraw from a hateful union
or successfully defend our View on
the field OF battle. Scarcely has the
smoke cleared from the field and the
garrisons of the North been settled
in our midst than the struggle was
renewed. In this courts of every
Southern State and in the fafis OF
congress the same question was ask
ed. We have not answered II yet
Alright: we still must fight. Popular
demagogues, crazed with power and
clothing In new words the old theory
Of nationalism, careless citizens OF new
States, created but yesterday. who
look to the Union as the source and
seat Of all powers OF sovereignty. UNI
thinking altru!sts who wish the Fed
cral arm heightened to aid special
cause or to correct temporary griev-
ances. newcomers from other lands,
used to a centralized government
these are combined to endow the
creature of the States with the powers
of the creator and to take from the
States that self -governnent which Is
synonymous with self-respect. Scarce
~ a day passes in congress and not
a term of the supreme court goes
on record but that these advocates
of Capitalization battle with U.s. To-
day we see their principle as new
nationalism. again In an extension OF
the Federal taxing power, again as a
valid Interpretation of the power 10
regulate interstate commerce, to-
morrow as solution Of our monetary
His In whatever form it comes, Its
purpose liz the same: TO erect on the
dead bodies of independent States
a nation ali powerful, all sovereign.
Trend to Capitalization.
Surely this is a matter above party,
a principle which we must all. as
southern men. combat. Upon the de-
feat of Capitalization, / take 1t. de-
ponds the hope of our people. With
vision almost Godiike. our fathers
sa W this, and to defeat GENERALIZATION
they were willing to make red with
blood the streams of their beloved
sand. To US their children. they have
given this charge,
II repeat put a truisn when | say
that upon the Young men of the
South rests the responsibility of stop
ping the movement towards central
lzatlon and hence of preserving the
dearest heritage OF our race. This
responsibility is upon the Young be-
cause the, are Young our fathers
fight is wei-nigh fought: It Is upon
the young men Of the South. because
III the South alone to-day the tradi-
ton Of government remains un-
sullied We can hope for little from
the West. where the State means
nothing to the thousands who Were
but yesterday groveliing peasants OF
Europe We can hope for nothing
from the North as long as centraliza-
ton tends Ia maintain their protect
ed interests and to secure their bust
ness monopoly. The South alone liz
the nation has shown itself willing
to sacrifice plenty fer principle anc
industry for independence, The hloot
OF generations Of self governing, self
respecting ancestors flows in ou,
veins: We have the torch heaueathed
from sire 10 son: we have three cen
turtles of independent local govern
ment behind us. Unworthy are wt
to be the sons of our sires unless
we are willing as We're they to sac.
ritlce and to contend for that with
out which free government is but q
name. These brave men sieepina
about us died in vain and the Caus,
IL lost indeed, unless we are reads
to battle. In the halle Of Congress.
and in the forum OF the people. fol
rights that are dearer than life,
stand United for Hight.
You Veterans have done your
work, \ grateful posierity. secure
trust. In the freedom for which
you fought. VIII not be uamindfs.l o.
your SERVICE and. in the long scroll
of American fame viii write large
Z your IidfnSs We iHAHh 9ou iHf s1I
and for YOUR warfare We bless HEAVIER
that in the crncible Of battle the golt
of Your devotion was free of dress.
In your presence. and in the presence
of your dead. let us pledge our 10y
atty anew. Let US be true to youl
! deeds, your memory. your struggle
your principles In the battles al
the nation We would stand like yot
for truth eternal and For rigtlr thai
ne err shall die
Addresses were also made by Gen
erai Harry Douglass. Of New York, ano
Hon. s. K, Buxton. ~ Newport News.
Perfect weather conditions marked
The occasion. Among those attending
are number of veterans Of both arm
les who have not visited the place
since the battle fifty years ago.