The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-05-08
Hon. John BALDWIN on the Situation

Hon. John Baldwin on the Situation.
In response to most complimentary
vote Of thanks, by the House Of Dele
gates Of Virginia, and after returning his
Heartfelt thanks, MIR. Baldwin said that
he never looked to future more threat
ening and loss full Of promise. He, and
all present, had passed throughthe great
est of civil wars; and in the darkest hour
of that disastrous struggle he never saw
SO much occasion for dependency and de-
preston as at.this time. 1t was impossi-
bic for any one to foresee the result Of the
present dangerous experiment in Virginia.
Although, said MIR. Baldwin, we can
not claim to be free, nor claim that Vir-
GINA is a State, yet we are an organized
community, and have Alright to expect to
be free, and that Virginia will be State.
But the situation of public affairs at this
time. with the new element introduced by
the United States into the political arena,
presents problem whose solution justified
great anxiety for the public tranquility
and welfare. This new element, under
the most favorable circumstances, would
be matter Of concern; but when subject
to the maddening influence Of party spir-
it and agitations Of partisans, it became
subject Of the grayest consideration and
apprehension.
1t becomes us, said Mr.. Baldwin, to
look we'll into the circumstances which
surround u.s. and to brace ourselves for the
duty before us. He anticipated that a
people who had passed through such a war
as we have had, and had borne themselves
with such fortitude and constancy under
its severe trials, do not now intend to give
way to useless repinings or to timidity aud
alarm. | take it, said he, that you mean
not only. not to give way, but to perform
your duties to the community and the
State He urged them by every consider
alton Of public and private duty, by every
obligation that belongs to good citizens,
and by their love of order and obedience
to law, to forego no opportunity to avert
the difficulties which threatened the State,
and, if possible, to control and guide her
destiny amidst the dangers that lowered
upon her. He urged all to avail them
selves Of whatever opportunities of choice
or selection that might be offered. He
conjured those vino could to register their
names among the voters, TO advise all 9TH
ers to do the same, and to take such par
ticipation in the proceedings relative to
the reconstruction OF the State as pru-
dence and discretion may suggest when
the time arrives. If, said he, we take care
to exercise the privileges accorded to us
with discretion-with a proper sense Of
our responsibilities to God and mln--we
shall at least discharge our duty, and will
do the best that can be done for the State
in the great emergency in which she is
placed.
| MIR. Baldwin expressed the hope that
he had over-estimated the peril aud over
stated the dangers Of the situation. But
he had said what he thought proper, and
with view to arouse gentlemen to the
necessity of the earnest discharge of all
the duties devolyed upon them at this
time. For himself, though he considered
the peril great, he was not without hope.
Even that element which occasioned APP
pIeneuSlOu udu oAeieu PIoOio VI AuoAlcy
and good conduct under excitement that
commanded admiration and confidence
Through the darkest hour Of the war,
amidst all the elements OF strife and con-
fusion, and I'LL the contrivances to excite
them against their friends and masters,
the colored race rose high above those who
would have tempted them to deeds Of out
rage and Of wrong. He was not without
hope that we shall again find them supe-
rior TO those who would excite them to
outrage and mislead them to their own
injury. Mr.. Baldwin advised that the
whites should practice towards them the
same kindness and consideration which
had characterized the conduct Of our peo-
pie in their past relations to the colored