Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-06-27
Old Virginia rs it Was and Is.

! We have all been mortified and humbled
to think that so large a part of the Oid DO
miniou should have been both iattered anu
dragooned into completely with the rebellion
Of the Cotton States, and supposed that TINS
was but melancholy proof of modern de-
generacy. But alas history tells us that there
is no now thing under the sun, and that the
former days were not so much better than
these, as we might be inclined to think. On
the contrary it may be proved, that the pres
eut generation are to great degree morally
as well as physically "the children OF those
who killed the prophets in former age and
arc only filling up the measure OF the inquI-
| ty of their fathers.
We go back to tho days of the Revolution
and find Washington himself lamentinS and
condcmniug tho inordnate pride and amo'-
ton of the Southern troops, as frequently en-
dangering his hold upon the Northern troops
which he confessed to be- the flower of the
army and the hope of the country. From
MANY Of his letters it is evident, that nothing
but his commanding influence prevented tt
utter DISCRIMINATION Of the American forces,
from this very cause. Had he not been
Southern man even no could not have re-
strained the Southern troops from acts "i con-
tom pit ard cortnmely, which their opponents
would not have borne. And had he not been
SO infexibIy just and impartial, the Northern
troops would not have borne the insults that
were not unfrequently heaped upon them.
We come down to a somewhat later period
and find that the same spirit OF pride and OPP
! position invaded the council chamber, both
in Congress and the Legislature. The "ppo-
stion to the Federal Government which was
lily suppressed under Washngton's admins
tration broke out under Adams, even against
measures which Washington and Patrick
Henry approved. The latter had originally
opposed the adoption of some provisions of
the Constitution, but like an honest man he
resolved to abide by them when adopted
Whcreat the dominant party in Virginia be-
gan to devise ways and means OF notification
and secession He even left the retirement
which he had chosen, and cndeavored to rouse
his fellow citizens to their errors and
dangers from this cause. lie was elected to
the Legislature, but died before the session.
llis speech during the canvass is preserved by
his biographer, and no better Union speech
could now be made, nor more appropriate to
these times, than those last words of Patrick
Henry. Yet Vir -iuia' 5 false friends and blind
leaders resented lis opposition to their
schemes aud when after his death, compl-
mentary resolutions we're offered i'll the Leg
stature, they were laid on tie table, and lie
there still; q memorial Of her insratituae TO
her greatest benclactors, and her hostility to
the Constitution, which her own greatest
statesnen helped so largely to form.
1t is even said that her Senator in Congress
voted against similar resolutions on occasion
Of the death of Washington, few months
after.
II such were the bitter seeds sown by for
mer generation, VIC need not wonder at the
balerul fruits now appearing. Or that Just
retiibution is overtaking her for sins She
s,nght to divide the nntion aud overthrow the
general government She is now divided a
gainst herself and her own citizens have b7en
forced in Self-de!ence to wreSt the rens of
governu,en. from the hands Of usurpcrs.-
Once tho mother OF Presidents, she is now the
| tool and victim Of traitors within and rebels
without, and has destroyed more Of her own
property and prosperity in three months,t than
| all the abolitionsts together evor had, or
could have taken from her.
We bring these grave charges and make
| the.e sad statements in sorrow, not in anger;
and all the harm we wish her, is that her
further humiliation may be avertcl By speedy
repentance, and that she may be again re-
stored to her own integrity rs y State. and
protected against every foe by that strong
arm of federal power which is now lifted up
against her.