Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-04-28
THE FUTURE OF vIRGINIA-LETTER FROM W. c
wICKHAY, ESQ.,, OF HANOVER

The following patriotic letter from Williams C. Wick
ham, ESQ.,. has been sent to us for publication:
HANOVER C, H., April 2Sd, 1866.
FRANKLIN STEARNs, ESQ.,, Henrico County
Ny Dear Sir-It is matter OF vital importance that
the wes that be devised should be adopted
for bringing people back speedily possible on
the road 70 prosperity from which they heart
lessy thrust by designing politicians, in the selfish en-
deayor to retrieve their fallen fortunes and who
careless of the suferngs they would to be in
hicted on millions of their fellow beings drove them
by appeals to their passions and preudces
which has been productive of almost irretreyable ruin
to every Southern State and has in its results alshed
every made by them in the advocacy Of their
rash designs.
The first great sep toward the attainment of this end
is to revive the hearts of pie that devotion to
the Union which as deeply implanted there before
the war in those of the people of any of the other
States but which has been either held in allegiance by
the force Of the Confederate nasty crushed out by
the e hings OF the leaders OF the secession move
ment NV ow opinion is that the great of the peo
pie of this State have lost their their
attachment for the Government of the United States
and that they have only wanted freedom Of speech and
liberty Of action to avow the attachment for it.
The result of the contest has taught those who really
wished for the separation that the power of the Govern
ment was too great enable them to succeed in their
unhallowed design of overthrowing It, aud think
NAV safely say that the absrs con which declared that
we had central government, with the name and not
the powers Of government, has met with deserved
and violent death.
Almost every one in Virginia accepts the result and is
prepared 10 contribute his portion towards the advance
of the common good of the country The few that
do not will if permitted doubt not leive their coun-
try { or their country's good
All then that believe to be necessary for the full de-
yelopement of the Union feeling in Virginia Is to re.
establish the means Of intercourse and interchange oil
opinion amongst the people of the State and thus give
II an opportunity to exhibit ITSELF and have no doubt
but that the State will stand forth prominent Tor her
pride in the national glory, appreciation Of the national
prosperity admiration for the national power and deyo'
ton to the national interestsa heightened by the ter
rible ordeal through which our people have passed
With ready return to proper allegiance 10 tne
United States Government the pc pie should at once Dc
lied upon to participate in the government ootn state
and Federal thus being made TO realize as soon as pos
sble that they their own governments ana giving
them that tranquility which is the very LIE oil an sg
cultural community.
There much for the State government TO 40 70 ae
in the re-establshment of prosperity and happiness
has been for the four past years utterly diverted nom ~
legitimate duties and consequently our whole system ma
| become defanged
The three great points of State policy that i'm
mediate are the reorganization OF our system
Of labor the resuscitaton Of our internal improvement