Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-07-16
Hon w. L. Goggin to JAS McDonald, Esq

The Hon. VIM. L. Goggin, In letter ad-
dressed to James Mcdonald, Esq, on the po-
htical topics of the day. from which we make
the following extracts, says
L would not, to-day, restore slavery if [
could. The agitation Of this very question in
the past, during the party conflicts which you
and l have witnessed, precipltated the country,
| finally, into the revolution which ended two
years ago. For It's consequences, both sections
| may claim the honor or the discredit; for men
OF both sections had learned to use it for mere
party purposes to retain party ascendancy.
There are many who seem to think that
something's going to turn up for the advan-
er happens to belong. One thinks Congress,
the President, the Judiciary, or some depart
ment OF the Government, Is going IN some way,
to intervene, so as to better our condition. A
party, now alone at the North, but at one time
influential and powerful both North and South,
has attempted Intervention at the ballot box,
with the President at it's back +; this however,
has failed to have any other effect than to
weaken our hopes and to strengthen the hands
of the adversary. The Judiciary has in fact
been appealed to in vain the two thirds ma
jority Of ongress has set aside vetoes, orders
and rescripts of President, judges and military
commanders. So often have promises failed
and hopes been blasted that we may realize the
saying OF the Squire, who so long had follow
ed the fortunes of his master, even to the suf-
ferlngs which both were then undergoing L
fear, Sir Knight, the government you talk about
is great way off, Is it our duty, then, to
follow longer these delusive phantoms? Should
We unite ourselves with any party North or
South? | think not. Parties have proftted
US nothing. The only party to which [ desire
to belong is that which will control the govern
ment with sacred regard for the rights of all
and for the letter of the Constitution as our ia
theirs made it, but including the clause of mod
ern addition, abolishing slavery forever. do
not subscribe, by any means, to the fairness,
justice or constitutionality of many of the laws
recently passed but the situation compels us
to accept and abide by them the President
! himself executes them and we have no way to
escape their operation. If we cannot give a
cheerful obedience we must at least accept them
as the laws of the land Misfortunes and trou-
bles are sometimes, indeed, oftentimes, bless
ings in disguise.
again, there are some who will not register,
and of course, cannot vote, though not dis
franchised, because they say, the vote of no
negro shall balance my vote. Now this, IN my
estimation, is unwise, to say the least OF It,
The freedman is in no sense to blame for the
present state of affairs in the country. When
a slave, during the long war, he was faithful
and true to his master; he staid at home and
protected his masters wife and children, when
he was conscrpted and carried into the army.
And since the fall of the Confederacy the freed
man has deported himself with great propriety,
and still shows mis- attachment to his old master
and to his family
'There is class of our own race, honorable,
brave and good men, of whom [ might also
speak, These would expatriate themselves and
go to some distant land, but if you ask where
is the future home Of their choice not one can
tell you. Some have tried Mexico, others
South America, but all hope yet to come, or
! have come back, satisfied that here, at last, is
the only chance for that happiness which has
been, for time, sacrificed, yet not lost, if eve
ry man will do his duty. That duty will be
best performed by aiding in the reconstruction
of the Government, State as we'll as NATIONAL
But to make our aid efectual, we must first get
the State into the Union. Virginia voice,
then, will be heard, and she can then demand
that her just rights be respected. Her. railroads
and her canals, her highways and her marts of
trade and business will TEEN with new life.
''Disfranchised, as am, though am par
doned rebel, can neither register, vote or be
elected, yet have no other home but Virginia.
It shall ever be, | am sure, the land of my love
and the home Of my children. | desire to see
her people free, prosperous and happy In the
Union, as | am very sure they can never be out
of it.