Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-05-16
From the Old pominion No,folk
THE GOVERNMENT OF VIRGINIA RECOG.
NIZED


President Johnson's PROCLAMATION Of tbe 9th
instant, recognizing Frlncls II. PisTpont, as the
legal Governor OF our State, is the commence.
ment in the great work Of reconstructiop
We have al last found tae rallying point and
there is work for Us TO do, and i. beLooye, Ia TO
60 at it In earnest Personal animosities. pohti.
cal aggrandiseinents based upon selfish motives.
should be expelled cnmeIcliully iron our midst,
and nothing but true 10 gaitl, Invested or every.
thing but the futuie veal Oh Virg MIA and the
Union OF the States allowed 10 influence US in
the work we have before us.
No matter how much obloquy has been hespcd
upon Governor PierpOnt-no matter how hard
some parties have irled 20 make the public dis
trust him. he stands to-day, head and shoulders
above any or all his enemies.
His record as q loyal man and a Virginian in
before the world when the sword of rebellion
was drawn and the dark cloud of civil war rose
higher and higher. and covered Virginia and the
South, there was no yacillating or half1edged
Unonism displayed by GOV. Fierpont
His energies and tine were emp Dyed d his
whole soul was wrapped up in the grand work
OF preserving and sustaining the ground work
OF state identity ana also state government for
the people of Virginia.
Battling against all enemies, overcoming all
obs aclts, he has come { OF the strife yictoii.
Gus. The grand result OF his active labors-ha
Wig lance aod undAunted Perseverance he now
presents to his fellow citizens.
What /, the Iesu Il 1t is a rallying point-A
gOvernment-State identity--ahd the true phi
lJsophy Of selfgoyernnent held and KEEP: in
violate. Who else but Gov. Pierpont and onr
little Legislature, acting under the authority of
the Federal Government has done this great
work for the Commonwealth None. He bas
stood 10 his post maniullv, he ting do gn All on
position, even when his Union friends. almost In
a man. doubted his strength and ability 20 ac.
complish the great work.
When told that his design and the object of
his deep licitude, were chimerical. (by Ito:
who wished to see the cause triumphant but
lacked the foresight and decision TO work in go.
operati with him) he ,aid Gentlemen. if
there was nothing butmy own interest II stake,
would be willing 70 admit that Virginia IL a
chimera or nonentiiy; but il Is for Virciuia's
people, their interests and their ideLtt; as body
polite, that claim to work, and, as you think
risk my reputation upon The result. You call il
chiInerical but the future will show that II is
fact, now and always. IL is arould man that
could utter such sentiments as these, that has
left upon record his loy"liy, his perseverance and
foresight that the people of Virginia are invited
| to rally and commence upOl the firm basis Of
national prlncip es, u reconstruct the dsorgan.
lied branches Of social and civil government.
If we have been ruined in fortunes. cur
homes made de olate, and our soil made red
with prlthers blood, under the c0-pRr naTship
RUE Of JED. Davis md Extra Bify Smith We
cln regain our fortunes, bury the bloody past
| in oblivion, and become prosperous and happy
| under the rule Of Governor PierIont, whose 10y
atty 10 his country has been tried Ia the fun ne ce
and comes out bright and untarn shed.
With such MIN for our leader, Who has the
| respect and confidence OF the Federal Govern.
| me nt, and the whole loyal masses, North and
| S0uth,) we can look into the future louefnIly.
knowing that he who stands at the head Of our
State Government is experienced in his work
and honest in his purposes.