The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-07-08

masses. History does not record a par
allel. Guilty ofthe foulest of crimes
rebellion without pretext-they are
permitted by magnanimous Govern
ment to enjoy liberty in q land they
have desolated; to hold property under a
Government, a profession of allegiance
to which has been with them brand of
infamy; to live where the fields are
furrowed with the graves of their
victims; and still, in the face of
their insolent boast that with their
political talent, wealth and influence,
they would yet make the Union men
leave the State, they have been provided
by the late Legislature with means am
pie enough to put their threat into exc
cution. For four weary years we have
been driven from our homes, incarce-
rated in their prisons, hunted like wild
beasts, robbed, plundered and insulted !;
still, with our humble trust in a righte-
Gus God, we have walled in agony yet
in faith, and when their mighty fabric
fell, men barred their heads and raised
their eyes in gratitude to Heaven; no
swearing yell of triumphant power
hOwled vengeance in their ears, but we
told them calmly as we hold now, "You
have controlled our destinies for four
years you have well nigh ruined us
you have proven yourselves unfit to rule;
can you, dare you, with the ruin you
have wrought, ask still to guide our fate
You have ground us to the dust; We do
not propose to persecute you in any way;
we forgive your oppression, but we wish
to see to it that with all the bitterness
that is still in your hearts, you no more
have the power to Cypress US, foryoa are
aOhipa5ed-not continued"
Resvlved, That we disclaim any fell
lowship with and strongly condemn the
hostile spirit of the Speaker ofthe House
OF Delegates as savoring too much of the
old venom. ''' iu
Resolved, That we call upon the Presi.
dent to redeem his pledge to the loyal
men of this State, and appeal to him,
and to Congress, to see to it that the
bloody war and its untold sufferings, be
not In vain; and to employ for our pro.
lection Military Governor of such firnl-
ness, honesty, and practical good sense.
as will enable us to endorse the position
of our own State as we do that of Ten
nessee, or to use such other means as
may seem best to prevent our subsection
to the men who haze, by their maligni-
ty, treachery and applicability, shown
themselves unfit to be trusted with
power. And we declare before the whole
country, and call upon our friendsevery-
where to witness our declaration, that
we firmly believe that if the proposed
law becomes of effect and SO continues,
there will be inaugurated such system
of ostracism as will of necessity compel
Union men to leave the State. What
may follow the antagonistic position of
Virginia to the North is foreshadowed,
We fear, by the speakers late address,
we leave for the reflection of those who
think for themselves. ~ ..
We conclude then, sir, by declaring
that we have not word of complaint as
to their enjoying their lives, liberty, and
property; with them they cannot injure
us, let them enjoy them to their utmost.
But, sir, we know too well their implaca-
BILE bitterness and intolerance to consent
to there acquiring political power, for as
surely as comes the day, so surely will
be inaugurated system of civil eXcOm-
munication that will, of necessity, COM
pei Union men to leave the State.
.-s CONGRESSIONAL CONVENTION.
On motion of Mr.. Anders, it was re-
solved that a convention of the Union
men of Frederick county be called to
meet in the town of Winchester, on Mon
day, the 18th day Of August next, for the
purpose of nominating delegates to the
District Convention, to nominate suit
able person to represent this district in
Congress, was unanimously adopted.
On motion of Mr.. Linn, the meeting
adjourned sine die. ~
" GEO. w. CHM. President.