Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-05-02

To tis ElU1r a. Wr NhW
read with great pleasure in your issue of this
morning, the very sensible and patriotic letter Of
". 4. v cEbam, Esq, addressed on the 81 INST,
20 FRANKLIN Stsarns, E,q. which presents not only
a clear and stltesnaulike view OF the present con
rlt.ou and wants Of the State, bu' also a correct
appreciation OF the OHuH02 OF her people, and OF
7he measures that may be regarded as Of the hrst
necessity 10 restoring 10 the citizens Of the com
monweath a sense Of security and the dawn OF
prosperity
Que the FIRST wants OF man, in a state of Soc-
aty is the protection Of civil government and Of
law 10 the absence Of any recognized civil autho-
rty over large portion OF the State, the citizens are
either bound 70 endure all the terror Of uncertainty
and insecurity nseparsole from state Of anarchy,
or seek that measure OF protection which military
rule can afford.
This. whilst il may in good degree secure life
from danger, and the person from violence, eau
not r. the nature OF the case, give tistactory
protection % the rights ofproperty, or provide the
means 20 carry out measures necessary 70 the pros
perty OF the state. Virginia occupies, at present,
a very anomalous position being partly under the
protection OF civil government, partly under that
Ofm.litary authority, and partly in state Of anar-
chy with respect 70 different localities. Her want
then IS that the two latter conditions should be re-
moved by tue extension Of civil government 70
every pOrtiou OF the State.
With our ideas OF government, this simply means
the giving OF definite aud authoritative direction
10 the sovereignty Of the people, 10 secure the
rights of life liberty aud the pursuit Of happiness
aud % promote he welfare Of society, IN the de-
vslopment Of the intellectual, moral and mSteral
resources OF the State, under the forms and sane
lions OF law. Thus, then, government can only be
secured by the act Of the people. Any other idea
would be suhvsrSive Of the fundamental princi-
pies Of the peoples sovereignty, on which q tree
government is founded, and by which liberty is Sc
cured.
B1t 90 secure the concurrent action OF the peo-
PIE in restoring government 10 every part Of the
state. 10 il Necessary that free intercourse, and
The means OF an adequate and unrestricted inter-
communication should be secured. This would re-
qnire the re-establ shment OF the postal system,
aud the extension OF mail facilities to every part O.
rhe state. aud t IS TO the Federal Government
alone that the people can look for the restoration
of these privileges.
There IS also q want more pressing than the
want Of government; l sllude TO food as a neees-
uity OF life; aud unfortunately there are portions
Of the State in which tbs want Is felt in all its in
exorlble force. These eXigencies can, for the pre-
sent only he met through the Intervention and
under The protection Of military authority or,
other words, civil government can on,y extend its
peaceful aud happy domain with rapidity, under
the auspices OF military protection. Could the
Federal Government know with certainty that the
whole body OF the people Of d State were disposed
10 LOYALTY, aud ready % receive az its hands the
protection ana blessings which il stands ready to
bestOw, then the case woUld be very different from
what DO is tgeui indeed c0uld mail facilities and
commercial m tercourse he established az once and
the work cd restoration womb b. a short work
Hence the people will observe the necessity Of
making d luyai and submissive spirit stand ont
prominently ar the earliest possible moment and
on every opportunity.
DO not use the phrase Submissive Spiru In any
offensive sense. i simply mean spirit of subuis-
sion 10 The legally constituted authority of the peo
ME and the Law Of the land-Or in other words, a
return 20 duty-takng it tor granted that the here
~ OF state sovereignty has been efectpaly eX-
ploded and that all who are prepared TO become
members OF peaceful society nov ready 10 ad-
NIT that We have aud Of necessity must preserve,
a pationahty-that the Federal Government is SUI
irene and the State subordinate that the States
have no rights but such are defined and desert
ned In the Federal Constitution, and that the right
10 destroy the nations lie is not amongst these.
II sDv. amer the terrible experience of the last
four wears are still disposed 10 contend Tor State
-ogersiguty, and the right OF secession, and feel
rbst rAa. cannot submit 20 the national authority
sd q the doctrine THAI the majority Of the people
III the United States have a right to dictate the
,oiic-, on the government on all questions thar may
80 tbev ought 10 0e admOnished by the tate OF
- ~;-antf~ iu-uTrect0n organized by them against
- eSfionai authority, nader the most favorable
es-i-s and ~ icn is nov manliestly receiving It's
nisfs, from the national arms, that TINS country
a no place LII them and thai II would be iof 'he
interest," 10 act speedily upon Mt. iekham snE
zsstion. ana ..leaTe their county ioF their e0uh-
TVS good. 49,. ,,,...,.r,a,, has ~,
,hori1ea Governor PierpOnt, who Is aud has Dee u
tbs Governor OF Virginia for the last louI years
,,nder the restored Government, to transfer the
80 al Government from Alexandria 70 the proper
IsnitsI Of the State promising him such military
,,rCtsrti5n Is may be- necessary 10 enable MN 10