The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-07-29


much like doing things for thesake of ap
pearances, and no real benefit is derived
| therefrom. 1t is useless to clean and beau
tify the outside, while all within is "cor
ruption and dead mems bones" like the
whited sepulchres spoken ofin the Scrip
lures. tits, perhaps, useless to complain
but still itisa privilege we have-an inhe
rent right that belongs to the press-and
we shall continue to exercise it, although
no good may come of our murmurings.
|
The following article is copied from
the Richmond Republic, and appeared
in that paper two days after theelection
sufficient time, therefore, has elapsed for
the editors to take calm and disposition
ate survey of the situation. 1t should be
read and pondered:
Governor Pierpoint has brought upon
himself the censure of many who were
once his warm supporters by the agency
which he had in extending the franchise
of suffrage to the people of Virginia.
President Johnson has incurred much
ill-will in powerful party by the steps
which he inaugurated for restoring the
Southern States to the Union. Both of
these public officers have, by these acts,
given unmistakable evidence of their
desire to put the South upon her feet,
and of the most friendly and liberal in
clinations in regard to our people.
Has it never occurred to these people
that it would be poor requital to the
President and Governor if they awaited
themselves of the first opportunity of ex-
ercising the privileges which these of
ficers had conferred upon them, to cast
their votes in direct opposition to their
wishes and expectations Seeing that
these high officers have subjected them
selves to censure for course OF policy
adopted in behalf of our people, is there
no obligation on the part of the people
so to act as not to give pain, embarrass-
ment and disappointment to them? Is
it consistent with the ordinary ideas we
have of good faith and fair dealing for
people to take pains and make haste to
vote precisely in opposition to the man.
ner in which it was hoped they would
do when the elective franchise was ex-
tended to them
1t is very true that there was no agree
ment on the part of the people, and the
President, and Governor, eithereXpress-
ed or implied, Oh this subject of the cleo
lions. But it is equally true that if eth
er of those officers had believed that the
people would seize the earliest opportu-
nifty to vote precisely as they did not
wish, and in the manner to give them
most modification and disappointment,
they would have been slow and reluc-
tant to confer so indiscriminately upon
them the elective franchise.
There is an injurious anddishonorable
way of backing ones friends There
is such a thing as being stabbed in the
house of ones friends" And if the cleo.
lions in Virginia go Oh as they have
commenced, there is danger of both
President johnson and Governor Pier
point experiencing, with poigant force,
the meaning of these figurative express
sions. We do not suppose that either of
these officers is at all exacting in his de-
mands on this subject. We believe That
each of them would like to see the peo-
pie indulge somewhat freely in their
choice of men and officers. But there is
such sentiment as gratitude even in
politics, and we have no doubt that, be-
ing men and being in some sort politi-
clans, they would be gratified to see q
reciprocation from the people of the libe.
raj spirit which they have given the best
proof of having themselves entertained
towards the people. Are the people oil
Virginia incapable of approaching q
question of coed faith ? We are sure not.
They owe some recognition to the Presl-
dent and Governor for the good offices
which they have done them, and they
will not withhold it. Moderation and
conservatism at the polls will well beft
these times, will most surely conduce to
the welfare of Virginia, and will be de.
cent and not inadequate acknowledge
ment of the liberality of the President
and Governor in permitting our people
to exercise the elective franchise at will.
The Republic, in another article of the
preceding day, discourses as follows. We
also believe that the real people of Vir-
ginia will repudiate the Richmond
''pseudo- Union'' faction:
Neither the city of Richmond nor the
county of Henrieo has ever represented
the sentiment of Virginia in the business
of elections. AS they voted, SO did moi
the State at large ever vote. Virginia
always voted in direct opposition to the
vote of Richmond and Henrico.
We therefore ask suspension of pub
lie opinion as to the sentiment of Virgil :
mia so far as any person might be dispos-
ed to draw differences in regard to it from
the voting in this city and county.
We are not disposed to disguise or de-
ny the fact that the Union candidate
for the MAJORITY of Richmond lost his
election, or at least loss several hundred
votes, by his distinct avowal of himself
as Union man. That fact cannot be
denied, and must be accepted as true. 1t
may hnrt the city, but the denial of the
truth would hurtit more. Let it, there
fore be honestly confessed.
| But Richmond is not Virginia; and
we sincerely believe that this Common
wealth willvotei in a differentspirit when
it comes to elect its Legislature and its
Congressional delegation. Without refer.
ence to men, with reference singly to
the interests ofVirginia and of the South
we implore the people of this Common
wealth not to copy the example o.
Richmond, but to take heed of the
views which we have presented, in the
article which follows.
| AS Virginians, as Southerners, as pa.
triots, as Unionists, as Americans, we
repudlate the vote in Richmond yester-
day, aud declare that it affords no indi-
cation of the sentiment of the people of
Virginia. The intelligence, the patriot
ism, the faith, honesty and truth of our
beloved Virginia will be indicated by
lar yoto In Ootohar and rpuet not ho in.