Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-05-13
FIFTY YEARS ago
IN THE STAR

Notwithstanding the fact that the
civil war supposedly settled the ques-
ton Of states rights.
States Rights that doctrine present
ed itself soon after the
Oiscusslon. restoration of peace in
the discussion Of matters pertaining to
reconstruction. The Star of May 8, 1867.
said on this subject:
The mischievous doctrine OF state
sovereignty. as taught by the democ-
racy. was the means of greatly
Strengthening the rebellion. IL II was
not the original cause of the late civil
war. The circumstances attending the
secession OF Virginia illustrates this.
Thousands of her citizens who were
opposed to the secession of the state
joined the movement when. by force
and fraud. the state authorities array
ed themselves against the general
government. They did so reluctantly. not
because they had become convinced that
secession was right. but because they
had been taught from their childhood
that their allegiance was due nrst TO
their state. next to the United states
This was the vital point of their politi-
cal creed and many still adhere TO II.
They seem to recognize no middle
course between a complete subordira-
ton of the federal power to the states
and central despotism annihi lating
state sovereignty. Now the truth Is
that the rights Of the states are clear
ly defined in the Constitution. and the
federal government. though not abso-
lutte. is the supreme power. Otherwise.
we have no government worthy the
name and are liable at any time to
relapse into anarchy. such as would
have resulted from the success of the
rebellious states. The question is a prac-
teal one. but unfortunately the sophis-
tries Of theorists led many astray. Now,
however. after the great mass of the
American people. In war waged on
this issue, have prosecuted 1t to a sue
cessfui assertion of the power of the
federal government as against the
states, 1t would seem that the oues-
ton should be allowed to reat hav-
tain Rip Van Wrinkles of the press. as
IL they had slept through the last six
years, and are not yet quite walked up,
are with charming simplicity bringing
up this and other defunct issues, heavily
Ia boring through columns Of drowsy
distractions to prove that what Is, isn't.
and can't be. However. adhering our
selves to the comfortable doctrine that
what is, is. and what is to be. will be.
we have no objection to these old fogies
with their ingenious paradoxes and
grammatical gymnastics. They seem to
enjoy it, and it can do no harm now.
X
In obedience to the writ of court
issued at Richmond. Jefferson Davis
was turned over
| Jeff no VIC Iaov.s to the civil au-
thorities. The Star
fortress monroe. OF March IL. 1867.
thus describes his departure from the
| scene of his Imprisonment at Fortress
Monroe:
"A large crowd of persons gathered
on the wharf around the steamboat
landing this morning to witness the
departure of Jefferson Davis busy
scene was witnessed at Carroll Hall.
At an early hour. preparations having
been made. Mr.. Davis and family bade
farewell to the historical associations
which nearly two years residence
| made immemorial. At o'clock Gen.
Burton called at Carroll Hall and
found Mr.. Davis ready to accompany
with the family and friends in the fort,
and confinement here has become
among the things Of the past. Gen.
Burton, walking on one side of Mr..
IdylH, ana IT. cooper, nlb
on the other; Robert Ould and Mr.. Da-
Wis brother, who arrived here last
night from Nicksburg, escorting Mrs.
Davis and her sister, followed by sew
eral friends and servants. with bag
gage. formed the procession which
| emerged from the fortress. A few mo-
ments later. as Mr. Davis reached the
outer gate, a pleasant smile illumined
his countenance, and while in a cheer
full manner conversing with Gen Bur-
ton. all eagerly wendell their way to
the steamer John Sylvester, which was
waiting to take the party to Richmond.
He was greeted by numerous friends,
who came over from Norfolk and re-
ceived them in a cordial manner He
was dressed in a plain dark suit, bla ok
| felt hat. and carried cane. His face
was pale. form attenuated. eyes glitter
| ing, hair slightly gray and his BODY
! apparently feeble, yet he looked much
better and stronger than when he was
| first imprisoned"
In The Star of May 10, 1867, is given
! an account of the proceedings in the
| federal court on that day,
Released when Jefferson Davis was
-, admitted to bail:
VI hail. The United States cir
! cult court was packed this morning.
A military guard was stationed around
| it and a strong police force inside.
| About twenty ladies were amopg the
spectators. also fifty negroes. At II
O'Clock Mr.. Davis was brought into the
court and took a seat next to the pris-
| oner's box, with Gen. Burton and the
marshal. A servant accompanied Mr..
| Davis. who. sitting by an open window
| remarked. IT is little cold, is it not? %
! and he was then removed to seat near
! his counsel in front of the judge. Gen.
Burton's return to the writ was read
! and the Judge complimented Gen. Bur
F., ton on obeying the laws and released
| him of the custody of Davis. and the
marshal immediately served on him a
bench warrant to answer the Norfolk