Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1866-06-01

Fit be true that Boston is the hub Of the
Uniyerse; 20 IL Is equally trua that Rich
mond Is the Gentle of civilization aud Pollard
is its prophet. Nature, certainly, has done
much for the gnia CAPT s actfoial EN-
bellishments have helped to give the city
very pleasant air SiA years ago, the people
who inhabited il, were comparatively rich,
and there was no lack, as now, VI bacon and
greens. The men, as now, wore solemn faces
and bats With heavy crapes, and the old nm
brela sas right there's under the rikt arm
The ladies we're as naughty as Queen Bess
herself: but they dressed better then, in those
ever memorial suits IL back b--paugled
with huge figures Of orange snd sreen. The
taste OF the town was peculiar, but it was
Virginia taste. Such, indeed, was its fascina'
ton, that the ladies Of dusky hue and cnrled
tops, took it up and on Sabbath days, deco
rated their persons up to the highest pitch Of
the true Richmond style. But the war came
things changed--and the fneries faded
away. -Four years Of blood and death have
been followed by new conceits, and we find
poor, detected Richmond as Haunting in her
rags as in those days when it was fashionable
to proclaim that all the refinement Of the ma
ton was perched upon the hill-tops. It is
useless to attempt to change now. The gov
eminent ration has been tried for year back
by Gen. Turner; but the ladies and gentle
men who have eaten most freely Of that kind
officers latest pork and sweetest beans, are
among the most ungraieiul of Richmond's ar
istocraey Indeed this is true Of the whole
State Of Virginia.
We shall not say that the military defence
Of Richmond was not marked by some evil
dences Of bravery and endurance but history
sanctions the assertion that the leaders were
brave only when they had crowds at their
backs. Davis and his cabinet were the first
to Ay. leaving behind them burning city
and no male protectors to guard the still
pouting maidens and sulky matrons who had
for four years nerved the rebel arm. As the
last confederate troops fed across Mayos
bridge, all attempts at government ceased
To the Union army was LETT the double duty
Of restoring order and the exunguishment OF
the fearful FIRE which Lees men had kindled.
1t was left to Weitzel TO get the fire engines
out and the "men in blue" worked them
with as much earnestness to save the city of
Richmond from destruction as If they were
performing like duty for their own native
towns. Other measures were taken, and in
few bouts after the nteiance Of the con
qnerors. person and property were safe, and
confidence restored And this was accom-
pIished by the wise foresight of Weitzel ard
his men. What was the returni Ingrati-
tude in every form.
1t is as well to say here and now. what
has been observed by all who have had to do
with these Southern pretenders, that ingrati-
tude is prominent element in the nature Of
a white Vrsinian. For example, nothing
could be more magnanimons than Gen.
- i IL
or, lest he should wound the sensibilties of
the Inhabitants Of the capital, turned his face
from it, and sent, in his own stead, Gen.
Weizel an officer of known character and in
tegrity. And as il further to illustrate his
respect for the supposed sensbilities of
conquered and subjugated city, he soon after
placed Terry and Turner in command of the
department and the district.
How was this generosity on the part Of the
Lieutenant General requited? Three months
after the occupation, Gen. Grant visited
Richmond. Did any man or woman call up
on him, OF in any way express their gratitude?
No But they suffered him to pass through
the city without the first token of recognition
or respect. The legislature was in session
AT that time, and instead of marking the pres
enoe of the army chieftain by any token Of
Jefferson Davis and threatening to place Rob.
ert X. Lee in the governors chair. Some
there are at the North, who persist that there
is nothing unnatural in these traits of the
Vrginisns; but the gentlemen who reason
thus non, are gentlemen who. like Mr.. Way,
wept over the success of the Union army and
cursed the flag Of their county They are
gentlemen who realized largely out of the
g. ~. 49,. 4 a.
all the arrogance and ignorance and sudden
wealth, defame the character of Ulcers who
sacrificed home and comforts in ordor 10 put
down war that had no justification on
earth. The elements of ngratitude are, we
suppose, the same every where-and so il is
not worth while to continue this depression.
/ There is however, we must say, something
Of treaohery and maignity in Richmond n-
gratitude. There is something Of the savage
and the coward in it. The Vifginisn has no
idea of " fair play and their claim to be
high toned and better than their neigh
bors, is as groundless as their assumption
that they are Of superior blood, clearer intel
lect and endowed with higher attributes
and nober instincts. he soldiers of New
England, who met them on the field, know
something of their traits in this regard, ana
no doubt have informed their friends so fully
upon this matter, thatit is needless for US to
pursue the point
But let us go back to Richmond again.
Recall the conduct of the leading journal of
that city toward the military stationed there.
Remember the forebesrsnce of those officers
under provocation most Calling Remember
how Pollard day after dsy-with gallantry
characteristic OF a cowArd-abused Northern
men and Northern women, and forced his
foul person unlimited into their social gather
ings, that he might the better carry out his
unmanly purpose Of slandering ladies and
gentlemen, who bad expressed themselves
| unwilling 10 associate with the graduate Of
the Baltimore slums and, also, his drivell-
ing henchman, whose tpsy genius has small
price. Remember, then, that Pollard's paper
was suppressed; and how he went to Wash
ington, and ctawled in the dust at the feet Of
the President after the Lieutenant General
had refused him an audience. Did ever AT
rican so fawn before poweri Not in Virgin
ia, certainly, Dad Pollard keep his pledge
to the President; OF course not. In the
subsequent issues Of his journal, he abused
every fficer in the army from Gen. Grant TO
the humbest man in the service. He did
mose than this. de furnished false reports
I of negro riots in neighbornR cities, which.