Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1867-11-28

hope behind" Shall Virginia, our close
neighbor, become ST. Domingo, Georgia
Jamaica, and Louisiana Hayti? This
is no mere Southern question It is local
to your interests as well, and is supremacy
national in all its bearings. l ask the peo-
pie Of New York to night what they will
do with these ten States that belong equal
ly to you as well as to all other American
citizens. Shall their inexhaus bic pro-
ductlveness 60 to decay ? might here dea
in statistics of their agricultural wealth be-
fore the war. might show the mighty
revenues which, in prosperity, they can
contribute to the national Golfers. Can
commerce give up the produce of Southern
soil? Can our financial condition afford
to let richer mines than these Of gold or pre-
cious stones lie barren and idle? When
the Radical insanity of the hour makes the
negro the ruler Of the South it strikes a vi
tai blow at trade and commerce, and poi
sons forever one of the sweetest and most
copious fountains of national wealth. -
Even now, what value attached there to
propriety, and who will send means there
for investment, to be at the mercy of the
African law-maker The events the of last
few weeks have placed gulf between Nor
thern capital and the inviting and prolific
fields of the South. We stand aghast and
recoil with horror from the fearful appari-
ton which has suddenly arisen in that af-
ficted region. It seems no longer our
country, but given over to the orgies Of
the savage, and the dominion of animal
force and brutal lust Shall we reclaim
it? Shall this priceless heritage remain to
us and our children according to the devise
of our fathers? Shall it be open to the
emigration and enterprise of your posteri-
ty, there to live under the blessings of free
government and civilization These are
the great and momentous questions of the
day. and they now demand your answer.
Who can doubt the popular verdict on
such an issue Better for that section of
our once happy country that fire from
Heaven had engulphed it with the cities of
the Plain than the fate with which political
madness, ambition and vengeance have
overwhelmed it. Reach forth your hands
to the rescue next Thursday. Let your
voice arise, mingling with the voices of
Connecticut, Maine, California, Ohio, and
Pennsylvania until all the borders of the
Republic are filled with the sound of its
delivererance. Ladies and gentlemen, there
are other themes which invite discussion
but there are many distinguished gentle
men here to discuss them. I have dwelt
upon but one, and that conceive to be of
supreme Importance. The immediate flu
ture, to my eye, is enveloped in darkness
and uncertainty. The approaching Con-
gress will mark an eventful era in Ameri-
can history. One department alone of the
Government seeks to withstand the Radio
al carnival ofdestruction. The castle of
the Executive, tho closely bes:eged, has
not yet been stormed and sacked. The
President, in the midst of perils, and sur
rounded by treachery and deception, has
been true to principle; and upon the lofty
ability, purity, and soundness of his state
papers, he will enter the portals of history
as the peer Of the wisest and truest who
ever held his high place before him. If
for this unyielding devotion to the Consti-
tuition. this faithful performance of duty,
Andrew johnson is to be assailed by an
Infamous impeachment, may the people on
whom he has evev relied not desert him
in that trying hour. If the moneyed in
terest of the country. the bondholder and
the banker. can risk the commissions which
will follow the displacement of the Exec
utive and Inauguration of Mr.. Wade, so,
also. can the laboring men. This issue is
enc of the immediate incidents IF the Con-
gre.sional policy of reconstruction, and,
as such. let the people pass in condemna-
ton upon it. Citizens of New York, in
all your dealings with the results of the
dreadful civil war which trampled with the
fiery hoof of destruction the naked and blee-
ding breast ofthe South, remember that you
are prosperous, happy, and great; and
that nothing will SO become such people
as the bright jewel of magnanimity To
power belongs the sweet prerogative of
mercy. The North is omnipotent. and in
such an hour it is only mean souls that
thirst for vengeance. Take the South by
the hand in her fallen estate; lift her up,
and sustain her. Say to her: "It is true
we have warred, but we are kindred, born
of the same mother, and We will be friends"
Let the Lethean waters of oblivion wash
away all bitter memories. The brightest
names in history that shine forever like
stars in the clear armament are of those
who in the hour of triumph forgave their
PROSTATE foes. Scipio was generous, Per-
icles was merciful, Washington was mag
nanimous, and the lustre of these heavenly
virtues far outshines on the pages of histo-
~ the brilliant fame of their warlike deeds.
Amnesty is an attribute of the blessed
Nazarene. He extended it from the cross
to ruined world that slew him. Charity
is of celestial brigham inhabitant of the
Christians heaven. invoke its presence
in all the thoughts, purposes. and actions
If the estranged and alienated American
people. It pleads for union of love, and
not of hate and force. 1t brings with it an
inspiration from the regions Of perpetual
Ieace. Those who follow it's counsels will
be known 10 both worlds as human bene-
factors. The Radical leader of the day
hae M aucb oounaallor and draws M snch