Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-07-24
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We suggest the above ING uiry, not that We have
A particle OF doubt on tue subject ourselves, but
because the tone and language Of the Northern
press, in conlsxion with the singular and dis
trustful course o. the general Government itse T.
vo,ld seem 70 Indicate tina, 10 their judgment the
var ia not over. Let US endeavor to undeceive
,bs psople Of the North and the authorities at
Wa hlngton on this point.
In tae mat place. then, We assure them, in ali
o,n5or and ne,ly that the southern people; al
the ure,en: moment, are emphadcsGy the most
usscsabls and the most Peaceably disposed Peo-
ma on the face Of the earth. There Is not man,
woman or child in all our borders, whaeyer tseir
rsgrs,s n regard 10 tbs pas, in whose mind there
unyer, the fainsest sallmeat Of opp sition - the
national auth rity. There is not one who DIES
MT sign for peace, TOT quiet, for security or who
doss not honestly lntead 20 abide, in good ia tn,
the results Of the war. II there 20 q solitary re-
bs.lious or refractory spirit amongst u.s. he keeps
his ridiculous thoughts and purp Ises al to him
self. So far, thea, as the people Of the South are
concerned, the war Is unques ionaoly over-per-
maaently az an eud. And we sincerely hope that
the Government at Washington and our consid.
srats Northern friends will az once recognize and
acknowledge the vital fact, and conform their
sentiments and action to a state Of peace.
We rspe L, that IN spite Of the representations
Of a few sensational newspaper correspondents
20 the contrary there is wish or disposition on
the part OF any sane Southern man, no matter
what his opinions or conduct before and during
the war, to continue resistance, for single mo.
ment TO the constituted authorities Of the land.
From the very moment Of the surrender Of the
Southern armies, the war was practically AMI
forever at an end; and the Southern people, civil
ians and soldiers alike promptly and wisely
admitted the fact b. forthwith resuming their
usual svocstiOns and emplOyments. Nor at any
time since the suIrander, has there been any ex-
hibiton Of violence, turbulence, disorder, or re-
fractory disposition, On the Part Of any Of our
Deople. Frankly acknowledging themselves whip
ned and overwhelmed by superior numbers, all
have demeaned themselves with quiet dignity
and manifested a sincerely loyal and patriotic
shirt and all are now resolved to support the
Constitution and the Union viii honest hearts
and honest minds. And none are more peacea
.blv inclined or more inten. on the discharge OF
every duty incumbent upon them, under the new
order OF things, than the brave, gallant and no
bic soldiers Of the south, who for four terrible
wears. endured, without a murmur trials, bard
shius and suflerings, such as no people ever ell
dured before. Nor can too much praise be award
ed them for their orderly and gentlemanly con
duct since their surrender 70 the armies Of the
United states. II there Is the slightest spark Of
insarrectonary spirit existing at the South, it Is
not TO be found among those who lately com
posed her grand heroic armies, But, We again
repeat With emphasis, that there is no warlike or
factious disposition prevailing among any Por-
ton Of our people. We are all peaceAble, docile'
well.disposed, hw-abdng citizens, and wish to
bs regarded and treated as such both by the Gov
eminent AMI by the people Of the North.
And surely, Il we were not peacesSe and or
dsrly-if we had ever so great an itching for
another fght-would we be fools enough 70 at
tempt 70 bring on another when we have no
means Of resistance at al Are not the
Southern armies disbandedl Is MOI every man
IN the South disarmed Is not the use Of even
the sua ,llest sort OF sword-cane sternly prohl.
bited What absurdity, then, 10 suppose tina,
anybody In the South Is disposed to create a dis.
turbaace And II we are not thus disposed and
Il we have co arms Of our disposal, why the dis
trust which seems to psrvade the Northern mind.
and even the policy Of the Government ITSELF in
regard to Us Why such large standing armies
in our midst Why such unaccountable delay
IN substituting the civil for the military author
ity Why Is it, too, that even the common con-
venience Of mail facilities Is withheld from rs
A.
attention Of the authorities at Washington and
ofour Northern felOw.citizens to the actual facts
Of our present cond ton our present temper, dis
position and purposes. We wish 10 disabuse the
minds Of the people Of the North and Of our rulers
Of the mistaken impressions under VIII ch they ap.
pear TO labor. We are al peace men here now,
and loyal etizens Of the Government Of the Uni
ted States, and We wish to enjoy the real and sub
s.antal blessings Of peace, and to enjoy the equs
rights and privileges Of a common government
In numerous letters and addresses President
JOHNSON has proclaimed that the war is ever ,
and that peace exists. The like announcement
was made from thousands of rostrums and pulpits
throughout the North on the last Fourth Of July.
Let rs all, then, North aud South, rulers and PEG
ple. accept the aforesaid declaration as fixed
and glorious fact ana let Us be friends and breth.
rem once more, in all sincerity and truth.
To this end we express the earnest hope that
the reorganization Of the Southern States and the
re establishment of civil authority will be pro-
cesded with, with the utmost prOmPtitude and
despatch. Our military commanders IS a general
rule so far as we have any information on the
subject are polite, eonsiderats, accommodating
and gsntlemsnly and disposed to do whaever
lies in their power to mitigate the harshness and
exceeding unpleAssntness Of military Law. Bat,
a. for ourselves and believe 1t is the case with
the entire people Of Virginia vastly prefer civ
il to military auth ority, and really wish never to
Iay syes on another soldier Of any cline or nation