New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-09-21
reason to be satisfied with the brilliant success
which has attended his efforts. No Virginian will
eyer forget either his nativity OF his name,


ever forget either his natiyityor his nane
''whne the earth bears plant Or the rolls evsve-
He speaks of Governor Pierpout in the following
terms and since the radical course OF that gentle
man there is as much of this as could have been
expected:
The friends of this institution are greatly in
debted to the executive of Virginia for the zeal, 1
promptness and public spirit displayed by him, in
securing its re-esablishment, aud aiding by all the
means within his power its reconstruction. We
honor him for his services III thus behait-or the
aid and encouragement he has giyen-for the I'M
portant and valuable services he has rendered to
the great cause of scientific and practical educa
ton. In the of the board of visitors return
him our thanks
Of Gen. Grant he speaks in respectful, if not
cordial terms but this is all he says on the subject
And in closing this branch of my imperfect adj
dress, it is both duty and pleasure to thank
the general commanding the army of the United
States for the interest he has manifested, and the
favor he has shown in furnishing the arms neces-
sary for the successful operations of the institu
ton, and in restoring the cadet battery.
In the closing paragraph ne gives US ghmpse
into the condition of his mind on the subject of
reconstruction:
must bring these remarks to close. The war
has terminated by bringing US all together and re-
establishing the Union. In the present CONDITION
of affairs, high and holy duties devolve upon the
people of all the States If those duties are dis
charged with prudence and wisdom, and faithfully
and honestly-f spirit of kindness and concIlia
gotten, as it ought to be, under existing circum-
stances, then may we hope for union and harmony
and the revival of fraternal affection. No govern
| ment can endure which does not rest upon the
affections Of its people. wise, just, tolerant,
upright administration of public affairs, will win
back the affections of the people of the South,
and entwine them around the pillars that uphold
the Union, as the casping ivy encireles the
majestic oak. Kindness begets kindness-conti-
dence inspires confdence-oharity and tolerance
| generate love and affection Let all these emo
| bling virtues be cultivated and encouraged.
| If the scenes ofSthe last four years cannot be
forgotten by either SIDE let them at least be for
given and passed by in solemn, dignifed silence.
Let each side cease to remind the other of the dis
agreeable incidents that occurred during that sad
but eYentful period. Let US all turn our attention
to the reestabshment of law and order through
out the land-tO the revival of trade and business
foreign and domestic; let US all unite in common
effort to secure return Of that prosperity which
characterized the nation in other and better days.
and above all, let us, by precept and example,
inculcate a spirit Of harmony between the States
and the different sections of the country. As al
Virgnan, devotedly attached to the land in which
| ! was born, and the people who have honored me
with their confidence, | say for myself and for
them also, that we wish to see that line of policy
adopted which will bring peace, restore conf
dence, rouse up the energies of the people, stint
ulate production develop the material resources
of the whole country, extend commerce and make
the government universally loved, honored and
respected. 1t is our government and duty de-
mands this of u.s. his I.
The chief cause of contention between the North
and South has now been removed. How it was
done, is matter of no moment-it is sufficient for
us to know that it is an accomplished fact. The
institution of slavery has been abolished. It no
| longer exists among US. Its abolition IS fully
recognized, understood and accepted No one de-
sres its reestabiishment, or seeks to re-establsh
| it. In the language of President johnson, the
Southern States have come up magnanimOusly,
and acknowledged the fact and have gone into their
State conventions and ratified its abolition" We
have, therefore, done everything to prove the sin
cerity of our professions, that can be reasonably
demanded of us. Weare all disposed to deal with
things as we now find them, and so to deal with
them as to realize the largest amount of available
| good for ourselves and our posterlty.
A majority in the two Houses of Congress has
denied representation to the people of the South
Let US not, however, despair on this account. An
act so wrong in itself, so utterly indefensbe, can
not be justified or excused either on the score of
principle or policy This will correct itself, and
ere long the people Of the South will have their
rights fully recognized. Let rs be patient, and
all will yetGome right.
Let US then be of good cheer. Let no one be
disheartened or discouraged. We must all do cur
duty, in faithful, independent and manly waygI
and then we may reasonably anticipate a bright
and happy future for ourselves, our posterty and
our country ~
1t should be the policy of all to nculcate spirit
of concern and SO act, each to the other, as to
advance the common interests of all We should
d0ieYerythlng in our power to secure the pros
perity of the mineral and other resources; rouse
up its dormant energies, multiply its channels of
INSTRUMENTATION, encourage agricultural, me-
chanical and manufacturing industry. This is due
to ourselves, as well as those who are to come
after u.s. and who look to us for theadoptiOn of a
policy that will place them before the wordin the
most advantageous position. Let us deal candidly,
fairly, honestly justly and charitably, one with
another, and then, kneeIng around the altar of |
common country, let united prayer ascend to
Heaven--t God bless America 7
There was much in the address that if not harm |
full, was at least inappropriate, Letcher INDUCED
in a long excuse for the South, arguing the qles
ton Of secession in a way entirely natural in a
Southern State Rights Democrat, but ending in
sensibly renouncing the heresy as practical ques
ton. In worse taste far than this was the out
rageously fusome eulogy of Jefferson Davis, |
which was dragged into the body of the address
without the least necessity therefor.
cannot leave Lexington behind me without
saying a word concerning the
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE,
Beginning in 1889 with a score of students, it