Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1863-09-25
Speech Of 1t. GOV. MOnta que.

Iof 1T. Toy Montague, to the members of
the General Assembly on Wednesday night
10th inst, taken from the columns Of the
Enquirer without endorsing the plan.
We give It to our readers as being en-
titled to consideration coming from SO dis
tinguished source.
Mr.. Mon tague commenced by making a
direct appeal to the members Of the Gener-
al Assembly. whom he adjured not to fritz
tel away their time in speech making and
discussions over subjects remote from those
which should entirely engage them.
Speech making on this continent had, in
his opinion, great deal to do with the
struggle for life and liberty in which we are
now engaged. The idea Of every man that
he was born al orator brought upon US a
brood OF demagogues whose dissensions,
and whose constant and perverse preten-
slons, brought these troubles upon US
troubles which no speaking could cast off.
Now, ne continued, still addressing the
legislators. you come here to restore the
currency, to check inordinate prices, and
to organize the military forces Of the State.
IN
Do that, and then 90 home. aud 90 to
work as you ought to! AS to the orcani-
cation Of the militia, am not military man
enough to know anything about it: as to
the currency | have some ideas which
need not present now and on this occasion !;
but as to stopping speculation and extor-
ton, ! hava plan of my own, which, we're
| member Of your body, | would bring
forward, and venture to say that if you
adopted it there would be no more specula-
tors inside Of the limits of this Common-
wealth. But there are none of you who
are going to bring it on. for me. I'm
afraid you have not got pluck enough. But
| will state it here, or anywhere, upon my
own responsibility, that would make the
law were it in my power. Cries, "Bring
it out!"]
Well, gentlemen. let me ask question.
Who has got any right to make money at
all in this war? f we get our liberty if
we secure our independence, to whom will
We be indebted ? Will we owe it to Presi-
dent Davis? Will we owe it to General
Lee? and permit me to say that General
Lee is one Of two men whom I look upon
as the greatest men that ever lived; and I
have more faith in him than in ali the grea
men Of this country combined. Loud APP
plause. To whom will we owe this boon
of our liberty? 10 the men Ito the men
I've seen barefoot, when the ice was four
inches thick; to the men who have toiled
and fought through all seasons, and under
all circumstances have remained firm and
brave to the cause Applause TO them
we are indebted. Do they make any
money? Have you people, then, who
stay at home, any right to make money !?
say not. Now forny plan Your Com
missoners' books will show what each man
was worth when this war begun. Go
around the list, and as soon as the war is
over take another list. Then say to each
individual you may have what you had be-
forethe war. but the balance we will con-
fscate and pay the public debt! APP
plause This is the only way you can Go
it, You will have no more blockade run
ming, III venture to say; you will have 20
moro boarding away money Now, will
any Of you have pluck enough to introduce
il?
There seems to be wild enthusiasm for
this money making. Where is it to end, If
continued, if not in the corruption of the
very foundations on which this government
rests? The safety Of that structure de-
peuds upon the morality and virtue Of the
great mass of the middle class of our popu-
lation, and if their strength is not in the
oe ~ IF
morality and virtue at the basis Of your
government, the shifting sands Of vice and
corruption. With liberty in enc scale and
money and property in the other, would
depress the scale of money and property in-
to the lowest depths Of hell, and elevate the
SHINING light Of liberty until the whole ma
ton felt its invigorating rays! Unless you
have the honest pluck to do this, you will
have aided in the Generalization Of your
government, the corruption Of your people.
and the brave men who have passed
through the SHOWS Of winter, the torrid
heat of summer, and the storms Of battle
will have toled all IN vain! And you
wont be worthy te be free ! Applause.
The speaker then briefly alluded to the
Statc VI TIC CUuuCi a. WV Pt0e0uo II Ihi0Ao'
Did any sensiio,.5 man, he said, expect to
go through this war without passing through
an agony Of blood; without occasional re
verses What was the fall Of Vicksburg !;
what was the reverse at Gettysburg, after
such succession of splendid victories? Is
there cause for Encouragement in this ?
On the contrary, even If the clouds should
lower more fercely and terribly as each
day advances, it is the part Of brave and
earnest people, determined to be free, to
fight on The old sea Captain, when the
storm is raging the fercest around him,
does not set resignedly in his cabin and
say, II give up my ship" but puts forth
ali Of his vitality. all Of his energy, with
the strength aud will Of his men, to buffet
with the storm, aud the vessel is saved.
I believe that the finger Of Almighty
God is in this struggle, and do not believe
that SO great people are to be turned over
by that God to be made the slaves Of a for
eign despot. I repeat see nothing to dis
couge. have letter from General Lee
at his headquarters, with the Army of
Northern Virginia, which closes with these
words: eff our people will hold fast and
exhibit their fortitude. we will have every
thing to hope for" That is the sentiment
of General Lee; that is the sentiment of
your commanding general; TINT is the sem
timent Of your soldiers; that is the senti-
mont of avery nairiot IN the land Tlnt rs