Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-04-17
from the N. Y. Commercial Advertiser, 10th inst.
THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF VIRGINIA.

The whole subject Of the civil government OF tie
ded States, involves suck guat difficulties that public
attention cannot be too early directed towards it IL Is
fortunate however for tbs nation that the practical
satesm anship Of Virginia, always noted for its bread
and elevation of views will now be available IN the diff
cu. and delicate task Of conforming the social and po-
tca institute ons the South to the glorious fu.
ture that awaits the American people Upon them and
upon that portion OF the population that supported them
hi their opposition the United States authority will
LARGELY deyoye the responsibility Of smoothing the rou-
be5 waters aud restoring peace and harmony IL they
frankly ACCEPT the duties and privileges of loyal AUeT
con citizens in accordance with the spirit evinced by
ensrai Lee in his terms Of surrender the work will be
compaTat Vsy easy. and what now appears mountain
Of trouble will be reduced 10 an Insignificant affair.
But in no case can the loyalist in the seeded states
be abandoned the mercy of sulen or factous major
tv We must be true TO the men who were true 20 u.s..
The Southern Unionist and not the disconnected and do
ael Southern traitors must be the nucleus for the torma
ton OF the new condition Of affairs In this view IL would
appear that neither law nor policy requires the repeal
ri lie accession ordinance By the rebeOus Legislature
of Eastern Virginia. Such course would be al indi-
rect if not an open recognition OF the Legality OF the bit
ter war which they have been wagng against US Tor the
last four wears We mus. make no such concession TO
tbe peryerson of the State rights principle which has
bee the germ Of all our mstOrunes All facilities may
and should be- accorded to the members OF the Frg
and other Southern State Legislatures 70 resume ndi'
yidually the rights and privileges Of citizenship. But
for recogui ling them in their collective or legislative
pacty that is something 70 which the Northern people
should not accede.
III.
Of the oyal state that have already been
formed il plain right and duty the part Of Congress
and the nation Il is true thGt there may have been
some irregularities and abuses IN the modes OF election
in Iousane Arkansas and Tennessee, but the correC
on of these may be safely left to the people after the
withdrawal Of the United States forces. The question of
the terms of the return Of Georgia. the Caroinas and
other states In which there loyal State organzs
tions must be reserved for further Developments.
But in respect 20 the return OF virginia, which now
presses for solution, the Government appears to have
already taken the proper initiative Our special de-
spatches from Washington announced IN advance that
G v Pierpont was about to remove the Government q
Eastern Virginia from Alexandria to Richmond. Is now
appears that he has already arrived in that city, II will
be remembered by readers that Governor Pierpont
claims So be Governor of Eastern virginia, 10 accord
ance with an election held about two years since IN tAe
Eastern counties that were not under the absolute mill
tary control Of armed Coufederstes Since then he has
the State Government at Alexandra, and has
held more or less authority in the Eastern part OF the
state He frequently in conflict with Gen. Butler
who could brook no brother near the throne. But
since the removal of the Fort Fisher hero Gov Pier
points authority has been recognized by the United
States military and naval officials at Fortress Monroe,
Norfolk and other places. Congress has also partially
gnized the legality of Gov. Perponts government
Unless we recognize secession Gov Pierpont and not
extra Billy Smith, is the loyal Governor Of Eastern
Virginia. and WILL doubt be recognized as such by
the President the United States Government Snd the
loya population of that section. As for the dsloysl
element it will not be in position TO exercise any op
position until it will be safe to permit it 10 do 80 In the
regular way, al the ballotbox.