Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1916-06-16

The theory of state rights held
by the founders of the constitu
ton did not intend to create new
nation. but only a new govern
ment; that the federal govern
ment was not the sovereign, nor
had it any sovereign powers ex-
cept such functions as had been
delegated to it BY the states.
The national theory, on the coz
trary, held that the federal gov
eminent was sovereign; that the
states had coed their sovereign
ty to it.. Between theories so an
tagnotistic and SO resolutefy held
By courageous men, the only ar
bitter was the field of battle.
4 have not time to discuss the
terrible experiences during the
four years that followed. nor
would [, If l could. discuss here
the two years of suffering and
needless humiliation Of this
lproud. spirited southerner th-t
followed his defeat. but suffice it
to say that no public man living
or dead has gone through the
perilous political conflicts of a
Igeneration with a more stainless
name than Jefferson Davis.
| Soldier, senator, cabinet
member, gallant, able. active and
efficient, always positive and ag-
lgressive, stimulating antagon.
ism and resentment, yet no man
has questioned his patriotism
his integrity. or the purity CT his
character, a man impelled BY
motives unattainable by petit,
or ignoble passions, guided by {
character of sterling frmnes.
and more than common purity
with a devotion that eliminated
lat the close Of turbulent life il
the highest type of a patriot
love. Such a life, whether il
victory or defeat, whether in pr
vate, or in public life, is an EN-
during asset in the higher de
: Ivelopment of a republic.
I'll CONFLICT AROUND HIM
tt The conflict that ragged abou
IL him were fought wherever me-
of opposite opinions gathered
s in church, in state, and on field
IL of blood. Bitterness, sufferin,
n anguish, devastation. poverty
ii desolation, ruin and despair re
Ell suited.
ri Arising from that titani
a struggle, the men of the Mort
land the men of the South face
s each other with a courage unsur
l. passed in all the history of til
n world.
ri There had been victory an
d defeat, but the blood of the rae
s made it impossible to be conquer
n ed. They faced each other a
n unconquerable men, without apol
|ogy or excuse for the past, an,
a together they tnrned the sam
e way to settle their differences il
e their own way and to work GU
s the destiny of this republic II,
!. other people could and as onl,
n men of heroic mold can. Thi
moment in our history
4 met by master minds and hearts
' reveals the superior characte
and the surprising greatness O
4 the American people. Out of i
! has ocme new republic, cement
$ ed forever by the blood of he
citizens. whose battles of the flu
ture will be fought not with sho
and shell, but with logic, reason
and moral force-a people a.
pure as the Puritan, as gallant
as the chevalier, as heroic an6
chivalrous as the Southerner, a.
sturdy and loyal as the Northern
er; a people possessing the best
of all sections and many nation.
alities-Americans, standing for
Americanisn1, which means that
America must champion the
rights of mankind, that
every human being has right
to be free, and that we can best
lexpress our freedom by helping
lOthers be free.
| Such are the lessons, the in
aspiration, and the hope that come
to us to-day from brief inter-
Ipretation of the meaning of the
uncomfortable life and purpose
of Jefferson Davis