Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-01-08
MES AGE.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, VA,
RftfypSp Ian. 4. fS63.

an The record for the inspection aud serious debera0n
Of the present and future generations It will reject tie
highest honor upon the enlightened wisdom and patriot
ism of our Generals and subordinate officers upon the
courage the energy and the unyeding spirit of our gal
LIANT sodiers-While the brightest page viii be reserved
to chronicle the noble herOisIl 10 illustrate the self
sacrificing devotion celebrate the virtues and com
nemorate the glorious deeds OF the Daughters Of The
Old Dominion, and Of her Southern s'sier States
An sll-wise Providence has guided and guarded, has
watched over and protected and has stimulated aud
couraged us in the effort we are making TO achieve
Independence Our loved az home and our armies
in the field have been blessed with general health The
earth has Welded in bOunu prOiusiOn every thing
cessary to supply wants and promote comfort
Our arms aud efforts have been crowned with the
most brilliant success. Our people have been cheered
and e1harated By victories on the Cbickahonny;
at Cedar Run; at Manassas plains twice baptized Ia
blood at the surrender OF Harpers Ferry at the battle
Of Sharpsburg the signal triumph Of our arms at
Fredericksburg; and finally at Murireesbororgh and
VickSburg. The names Of Lee and Johnston, and Of
Beauregard of Jackson of Longstree and of Price OF
the two Hills of j. f.. B. Stuart, Of Forest, and Of
Morgan and others, will never be forgotten The val
Orous deeds the unsurpassed courage OF the officers aud
soldiers Of the Southern COnederacy the sacrifices they
have made and the suferngs they have patiently
dured in the holy OF independence, viii be re-
Rembered while freedom has yotary and justice and
right an advocate.
In every thing that constitutes soldiers army has
never been exceed in ancient Ormodern times They have
shown themselves ready TO submit cheeriCy 10 every
sacrifice for the Of the cause They have
dured priyations not less than those submitted
TO by our revolutionary ancestors in struggle not less
important or sacred than that in which are
gagged Nothing but pure love Of freedom, a noble
and elevated spirit of patriotism generous arior in de-
half of our c0uHtrys independence, determined pur
pose 70 dissolve aiaGoe with people who cutertain
cd respect neither for the constitution nor laws pee-
tod the mi pf
past could have induced officers aud men, women and
children 60 make the unparalleled sacrifices which have
characterized this unnatural war brought upon Us by
one whom accident elevated to the presidency of the
United States in the memorable year 1860. Abraham
Lincoln stands this day. in the estimation of the people
who constituted par, Of the United States and before
the world as the Justly dete,ted author OF the ruin OF
his country and i ansWerabe for the blood that has
been she'd and the lives that have been the fields
of battle lie and those who elevated BIN TO power
uguraed this revolution, and upon him and them will
rest the curses of the present and Of coming generations
As be has sown so let him reap. On his reJiremcn.
from the presidency, doom, fearful than that OF
Devergoil awaits him.
In after times the origin progress and results Of this
revolution will furnish theme for curious speculation
aud enquiry. It will be matter Of amazemer, that
government, great and noble ours was, should have
been sacrificed TO the fell spirit Of wild aud rockies,
anatiuim that large portion Of the people should have
been 30 thouuhtle,- aud wicked 20 make upon
the institutions of minority and drive them Into rev.
uon for the defence and preservation Bul however
tni, may be- il is certain that the Union is dissolved;
and it is equally certain that again be
united and the who breaches the doctrine of recon-
structioB is a traitor and deserves traitors doom.
The admission of the iorty-ive counties Of Virginia
as an independent State by the Federal Congress clear
" indicate that that government has longer hope
of accomplishing the subugaton Of the south and they
are looking 10 boundary IN the adjustment of the
troversy which they have provoked They have over
run much our State and this new State thus formed
embraces counties both sides Of the Blue Rdgr lin
auy adjustment the portion of our territory embraced
by these counties IS be regarded part of the North
ern government requires prophet 10 decide what
the future Of much remains is be. IL is bound
necessarily TO be free territory cannot suppose, in
any treaty OF peace tina: may be agreed upon Virginia
will ever recognize this division Of her territory
assent 10 treaty that will strip her Of any portion of
her domain. Nor can think that the Confederate Gov
ernment will ever assent TO such an arrangement
Whenever settlement shall be made, come when it
nav Virginia is be regarded whole her territory
il to be preserved intact and she is to take her place
in the Southern COafedeacy she separated from the
old government. Her proportions to be dimin-
i-hed Virginia is 10 be in the future Virginia
in the past She is to be she has hecn THE Old Do
minon' full and perfect in all respects. We cannot
give up foot Of the noch of The middle west
not a foot the Potomac borders, not foot on the
peninsula nor on the bay, the James river l.
period Of time than ths Virginia shall be even part
aliy disme;nbered Let every FJginiau, them kuecl-
ing at the altar swear that the old Common eah shall
remain one and indvisible AID that he viii mover as
sent 70 an adjustment. which viii ,ass from her one
square foot Of her territov7.
The Federal army which has invaded t5s STATE has
been 90 damaged in the various bJttles which have
taken place, that it will be difficult again to bring ITS
mower TO besr upon Us in tue Field We have reason 10
believe that it has been deInoulzed and that officers
aud men have learned lesson E,tc anticipated by them
whea the wa- commenced Be lhs however, a. itmay
we must not relax oCr efforts. We must preserve
organization; perfect plans; redoube energies
employ sll the within Teach-aud above ALL
we must encourage tolerant charitable feeling; inspire
harmony and couc!laOu, and in every respect b. PIC
pared for every possible contingency tht may
We have much stake, and it becomes rs 10 Omi Moth
ing calculated 10 insure success n the struggle Dsen-
sion and division strife and contention, elimination and
recriminaon can have no otberefiect than embar-
ras and perhaps defeat plans and measures upon the
success Of which the present aud future OF Our cause
and country ia great measure depend Plncip'e IS
always 70 be respected and obseryed aud it is proper
to remember that il is not less important rule Tor
governments than for individuals II We agree
upon the principle let protes, be made, aud post
pOue the question and the controversy which it may
give rise TO day of peace. Ii the policy Indicated is
not approved postpone 1t TO a day when IL can be set
tied without destroying the unity and harmony Of Our
people. Il will all come right in the end. The people
honest patriotic, intelgent-aud they VIII decide it
in such way as preserve the homo: u tie country,
and maintain their rights The questions OF prin-
ciple and policy postponed merely; and we may be
assured the time will when they can lie fairly and
properly decided 1t becomes Ua lbeIeiorC TO be tole
rant one towards another; to bear ana forbear; TO
cherish kind and eOnciatory spirit TO do all and sui
Ter all that patriotism incnlcaies duty enjOins upon
the citizen. rc-e
reasonable degree Of common sense, judgment, prg
depee. patriotism and Cancellation viii carE safely