The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-07-25
RATES OF ApvERT1s1Na.
RFcoNsrRUCTION.


RECONSTRUCTION.
. |...H.. r..g =rt...# 80 t.. ....t.. II
speech OF Gov. PeIrpont at Whites
Vile, Va...-The Parties of the COun.
try and the Republican Party of
Virginia.
Correspondence of The Richmond Rhtg. July p.
HAIIFAx, Thursday, July Is, '67.
To-day, at whitesville, In this coun-
ty, a large crowd of citizens OF both
colors assembled to hear an address
from Governor Peirpoint upon the po-
litical issues OF the day. Among the
whites present were many of the most
respectable gentlemen of the comnuni-
ty, and have never witnessed a more
orderly and attentive body of colored
people congregated on any similar oc-
casion.
The Governor after being introduced
by Rev. Clarke, of the Episcopal
Church, whose guest he is, said that oil
all he might be able to say on the occa-
sion, he could not promise IN advance
what amount would be benehcial to his
hearers. The circumstances which now
surround us render this period of sPe-.
cial interest and solicitude to every man
who truly loves his country. Love OF
country means the love of self TO a GER
IL
OF individuals, and each loves IL as 1t
brings protection and the meaus OF hap
piness and prosperity to every lndlV1d-
ual, even the humblest. L.,
The prosperity of the country de-
pends not upon the prosperity OF lndi-
viduals, communities or sections, but
upon that OF the whole people. From
your birth some of you have enjoyed
The fullest measure of liberty, but others
OF you have but recently realized the
truth of the declaration of our fathers,
That all men are born free and inde-
pendent" Remember that "eternal
vigilance is the price of liberty" and
that its inestimable blessings are only
retained and enjoyed by such as are
moral, intelligent and industrious:
Our Government can only be % sustained stained
by people who represent the highest
and purest type OF civilization. Officers
are the representative agents and ser
wants OF the people, and in the selec-
lion the question OF each one of you
should always be, are they honest? are
they capable2 If you neglect this, and
place the destiny ofyour country IN the
keeping OF men who do not possess
those qualities, what security can you
have that its institutions will not be
perverted, and the liberty 1t now en-
lows sbiDwreCked2 We are called upon
in Virginia TO reconstruct our State
Government, and elect representatives
IN the council of the nation. 1 do not
propose now, however, to discuss the
causes which render this necessary, be-
cause they are substantially known TO
every one OF you, The first step in the
REQUIRED reconstruction is the formR-
rtiOn of a new Constitution for our Stale.
The fundamental principles to be se-
cured therein are the equal civil and
political rights of all the people. Our
Republican Government Is based upon
the civilization of the New Testament,
in which each man is taught his
individual responsibility to him
self, his neighbor and his God.
Hence each man has his title
TO his liberty which carries with 1t
manner OF it's use. In the formation of
our Government every avenue to hap
piness and prosperity should be open
alike TO all, and means of education
provided Tor all the people. Positions
which are desirable in our country,
either OF wealth, power or influence,
are only attained by patient labor,
study and toll. Labor is honorable, be-
cause OUT Creator has said: "By the
sweat OF thy face thou shalt eat thy
bread" 1dleness, on the other hand,
produces imbecility of body and mind,
and is the parent of crime. He who,
therefore, gives way to it Is already on
The road TO the Jail and the penitentiary.
None of you should repine because you
are poor, for ii you have a strong arm
ana q ulSpO6lllOu " "OEkY everything
necessary for the comfort of yourselves
aud families and the education of your
children is within your reach. Remem-
Der that but one day comes at a time,
and that that day brings its duties and
responsIbilities. Neither should you
mourn over the past, nor look despond-
ingly upon the future. The man who
faithfully discharges his duties daily
aud saves his earnings, cannot fail 70
procure Il competency for himself ana
luy the foundation of an increased pros
perity for his children. The man who
has reached fifty years of age with a
family is not solicitious for wealth or
for hOnors for himself, but his chief
concern is for the honor, advancement
and prosperity of his offspring. He
lives for them. Every one of you should
make 1t point 10 save something out
OF each years earnings, and as soon as
possible purchase home, If it only en-
brace twenty or fifty acres of land.
Complaint has been made of the mad
equacy of the wages paid for labor in
Virginia. He had made inquiries in re-
gard to the wages received by the same
class of iaborers at the North. In con-
sideraIion that the laborers with fami-
lies here are furnished with houses,
fire-wOod, and from one to three acres
of land each for cultivation, according
TO the size oftheir families, and rations
for themselves, he thought the wages
4kcelNeo Dy Lhe4l1 lhlty HS4AhA - SAASS~
received by farm hands in the sec
Iious referred 10, and, considering the
present condition of the farms, fully as
high as the farmers are able TO pay.
We have Just entered upon this new
state Of things. and cannot expect per
fsclion in a day. Labor and Its price
will regulate themselves in time, and
we must not be impatient. All the
blessings of heaven do not come at once,
but the rain and the sunshine that
fructify the earth are dispensed through
out the seasons. The white men of the
South, said the Governor, have agreai
and weighty responsibility thrown
upon them. They have had the means
OF education and experience IN govern,
ment. II is their dutS, as citizens an6
friends Or their country, To aid, and an
wise with the colored people, honestly
and faithfully, as to the proper dis