Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-04-21

THE rapid succession of momentoas events in
L the last twenty days, has had few parallels IN
history. The " hundred day" in France which
decided the long contest of nearly twenty years
Of war, were not SO startling in their changes nor
SO decisive in their deaogement as have been the
days of the month of April Eighteen Hundred and
Sixty five, already pas.
In the light Of these events, the true patriots
and best friends of Virginia are those who counsel
peaceful submission to the arbtramGnt which a
higher Power than man has made. If there are
any who once believed that it was the will Of
Providence to establish wi thin the borders Of
country two dis Inct aud Independent nationalitics,
with diverse institutions and conflicting forms OF
social life, such belief must now be yielded.
The issue which for half a century was slowly
and sterny coming to a final trial, has been de-
cided. The "wager of battle" has been fairly
joined the conflict has been fierce, bloody, pro-
louged, desola,ing. 1t is no. rash to say that the
,5lOle pO7sr moral and MATERIAL Of each belligerent
has been thrown into the conflict. Enthusiasm,
patriotism, pride, sense OF duty to God and Man,
have been summoned as ministering spirits by both
parties to the contest Both have appealed to the
Almighty Ruler and invoked His favor in the name
Of right and justice. Both have approached Him
in prayer. The wonderful spectacle has been often
exhibited Of thousands of the most devout people
in each section assembling in their places of wor-
ship and Offering, week after week and day after
day, ear nest prayer for the success Of their e.
spectiye armies, when it was certain that success
on the one side was overthrow on the other.
10 a conaic. covering an arena so extended, AID
involving interests paramount, it would be gross
Atheism to say that Divine Arbitrator has not
made the award. Can His decision, therefore, be
rejected by sympathizers it'll the defeated cause,
who invoked the aid OF the Almighty, but sincerely
submitted themselves to His will To suppose
that Great People were permitted to pass through
conflict Of mortal agony, and that the termina-
ton of this conflict was not controlled by Divine
Wisdom and Love, is to adopt dark and despair
ing philosophy which destroys hope and happiness
For two thousand years no mighty war has arisen,
which has not been the exponent Of certain con-
hcting principles and ideas impeling great bodies
Of men, Slowly, painfully, through blood and toll
and storm, humanity is working its way t9 the final
era when men shall learn no more and univer-
sal peace aud good will shall prevail.
belthe people OIL Virginia accept III Sood iath ana
with hopeful spirit the lessons manifesly laugh,
by the success OF the efforts to preserve the Union.
Instead Of brooding the past and inaamiDg pas
sion and hatred by dwelling upon the excuses to
which a state OF war has nece ssarily give birth,
let them cultivate a cheerful and kindly spirit,
which will be speedily met by kindred emotions on
the other side. Virginia did not desire the di. So
luton of tn Union, She stroye to avert it. She
loved the Constitution and the States united under
it with pure and simple fervor, kindled by the
memories of half century and by the glorious
vision of the Great Republic. None but men ia
tally bent upon evil will ever seek to blow into
fame the smouldering fires beneath the ruins
which Disunion has left as her sole legacy to the
South.