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University reporter;
December 20, 1889
Image 16
University reporter;, December 20, 1889, Image 16
Funding for the digitization of this title was provided by Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library.
About University reporter; (Athens) 18??-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 20, 1889)
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Newspaper Page Text
14
University Reporter.
which Robert E. Lee drew his stainless sword. Carry with you
into the bright future the Old South of Jefferson and of his
namesake our illustrious leader whose funeral obsequies we are
now celebrating. Stand up- bravely in this indissoluble Union
of States for the old principles of Anglo-Saxon liberty as form
ulated by our fathers in the Federal Constitution. Foiled in
our effort to plant them once more in a separate government,
try nevertheless to make them still the heritage of the re-united
States.
Blind passion, mere feeling, cannot endure the ordeal now be
fore you. An intelligent conviction of the reality of these prin
ciples—of the justice and truth which was imbedded in the Con
federate movement. “The Lost Cause ” can never be applied
to truth and right, so long as there is a righteous God in Heaven
or a faithful witness on earth to plead for it. The political
question of a separate government being settled by the sword,
we honestly concede that the attempt to establish a separate
government is a “ Lost Cause.” But the principles of right,
the convictions of truth and honor upon which your fathers
acted are as eternal as your red hills and your mighty moun
tains.
It is exactly these convictions that I now commend to your
keeping for the benefit of the whole Union and of the world—
the Soverignty and autonomy of the people of the several
States that are bound together in the Federal compact.
Fortunately for you the pens of Mr. Davis and of your own
Alexander H. Stephens have opened the way for you to investi
gate freely the historical and political elements of this great
question. Any person of ordinary capacity and industry may,
with their help, put himself in possession of all the facts in the
case. Investigate freely, dispassionately, for yourselves then
your convictions firmly anchored to truth can stand amid shift
ing winds and angry billows. I know, of course, the possibil
ity that some may decide against us and with our late enemies.
So be it. I for one do not fear that risk. It is necessary and
we take it. We see that if the Confederate Flag was unfurled
in the interests of oppression and injustice toward the Africans
among us if it represented disloyalty and perjury incurred by
violating our oaths to our fellow citizens at the North—then
neither the genius of our Statesmen, the valor of our heroes,
