The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-11-13
PUBLIC OPINION IN VIRGINIA.
To THE RDIroR or THE HERALD.

BEDFORD COUNTY, Va. Nov. 9, 1889
It may interest your readers 10 hear from Northern
man. Incidentally Virginia at this time, something OF
the feeling regarding the Harpers Ferry outbreak
Of the largest slave districts The OF during
the annual Fair of the Iynchburg Agricultural Society,
when sections Of this and adjoining counties
almos, without white population In consequence, there
could have been more favorable opportunity for the
rising Of the negroes But neither AZ that time at any
period since has there been moment OF anxiety. I
there was danger" remarked q gentleman TO me, Il
would 20 TO my plantation for body guard Of slaves "
AS another instance, / may mention that 10 the hoss
where stay the doors seldom locked AMI three
four loaded FUSED for huntng) could be taen 0y
any body And this II true OF the whole neighbDrhopi
and county At the North there is concepuon Of tho
confidence repoeed their by the whites Of the
affection which given in return Neither be shaken,
even az q period ike the present.
Az first there was much excitement in the cities, but
never any Ia the country Everything has gone the
usun manner, and the outbreak only recalled the
mind by the arrival Of newspapers 6 cd With details Of
iation OF some ten thousand slaves
The tone of the public mind is calm and rational
While the outbreak is looked upon as an unmitgaed out
rage, the blame OF Is placed where 1t belongs. The
people Of Virginia not believe that their brethren
the North would thus put the knife at their throa There
too many ties and associations binding them together
for such crime be conceived much less executed II
they thought that possible Virginia, noby she
has struggled for the perpetuy of the Unn would have
been in against il to-day But the very idea is
secuted, and she stands as faithful in her place
Der of the confederacy with her bnchered by IA
patics her soil she did when her Washington ba.
tied for the rights Of the newborn nation With her
territory invaded, with violence and blood carried
doors Of her people, she cannot be turned from the path
into which the fathers guided her,
But IL the Of the Northern people are hell
bameless this outbreak the bold bad bIoo minded
abolonss who indirectly in it will DO
held full account, least before the bar Of public
opinion II will be tested whether preach the
Gospel Of Christ hold high Potical positions or sustain
respectable social relations, and at the time
courage the abolition of slavery by the murder of
women and children The Northern conservative element
has been potent at the ballot box, question
is TO be wheiherCh istian, intelligent and decent
lit has not some power to put these murder Loving
preachers and philosophers in the grade where
they beo Z. When gray headed ranter like Giidngs,
and furious traitor like Haie find necessary write
cards to explain themselves there is hope tnat
sound public opinion is doing It's work.
The black republican party ana its wicked Chief vii
liam H. Seward responsible for the dorngs at Har
pers Ferry. II is party which tacs in human blood
which seeks power upon declared principles dangerous
the safety Of the Union and threatening the lives of
Southern brethren-whicn is made every icenous,
nde fanaca element in the land Step by step
gone melting to civi exciting section against
ou and proclaming its desperate doctrines until has
led its minoDs to unertake nsurrecton Humanity
the love every American owes to his country, and
| public morality, demand that such party should be
swept from midst.