Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1865-12-08
FRIDAY MORNING, DECEMBER s, 1855.

4 ginia's most gifted sons to seek prefer
mcnt in the political arena, in which they
shone with no unworthy or borrowed lustrc.
Indeed, go illustrious were they that Virgin
ia was honored generally, with the title of
1.-The mother of States and Statement"
A bloody struggle for four years has end
ed in the overthrow Of the cause, for the
success of which, Virginia had cast her lot
with her Southern sisters for veal or woe
On this account the "Mother of States is
not likely for greater or less time, to be
accorded the privilege of sitting in council
with her offspring. and debating from the
mouths Of honored representatives the prop
er course to pursue, or drawing from tb.
dusty pages Of the past, the wholesome words
and patriotic advice Of her departed s. es to
guide them in the future conduct of the no.
bic nation, in founding which some Of her
best blood was spilled, and which, conducted
on the principles emanating from our great
est Statesmen, sons of her soil, and thorough
~ imbued with her conservative teachings,
had taken foremost position among the ma
tons of the earth. This being the case,
would it not be well for those, whose ances-
try have gained SO much Of fame for the no.
bic Old Commonwealth in the past, to cndeav-
or to preserve the position to which Virginia
has attained, by making her existence felt,
if her voice should not be desired in the
councils of the nation There is much to be
done. Necessity has never demanded of her
full exposition of her dormant talents.
IT'S true in the councils of the nation she
exhibited some of the strength of her mind,
and in the minor struggles of the nation show
ed that she had sons capable Of welding the
sword, with an ability not dimmed in COM
parison with those who welded that power
full weapon, the pen. Circumstances called
them forth. So in the late struggle through
which we have passed, far exceeding in sig
nifcance any contest in the Western Hemis-
phere, and perhaps in the world, she was not
found lacking in that material which makes
the hero and the chieftain. Not pretending to
cast shadow over the bright fame, and ex-
ceedirg talents Of many who have sprung
from the loins Of other States, but simply to
illustrate our point, we believe we are right
in asserting that Virginia has produced the
brightest military geniuses of the 18th centu-
~. Lee, Jackson, Johnston, and countless
others, might not have taken the place Of a
Jefferson, Henry, Madison, Monroe, Ran
dolph and many others, who have made great
the name of Virginia in Legislative halls
Circumstances did not call them to the forum
but to the field, and fame has wreathed equal
ly as bright chaplets for them, and Virginia
has been proven equally great in council Or
in war. Possibly to be denied the exercise
of her talents in the former, and there being
no necessity for display Of her genius for the
latter, it lily becomes her to remain idle when
her future greatness and prosperity demands
at her hands the display Of different sort Of
genius. During the existence of war, when
blockaded on all sides, Virginia was not ex-
celled by any Of her sister States in her tai
ent for production, nay she exhibited Won
derful degree of talent in this line. The
Virginia of to-day is not the Virginia of the
past Imperative necessity compels her to
develop her resources. She must do this if
she desires to occupy, Or even approximate
to, her former position among the States
No outside talent is necessary, if Virginians
will but essay it. Besides, the, so to say,
untravelled fields of Literature, Science and
Art beckon the way to those whose talents
lie in that direction There is a necessity
now for the display Of vast diversity of
talent. The future Of our beloved old Do
minion will be great, if her sons put forth
proper efforts. viii they show themselves
less able to secure brilliant future for our
dear old mother, than they have been to
achieve success in Legislation and on the
field of conflict We trust and believe
not. Up Eirginians duty beckons onward.