The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-12-16

they will make the steam which drives the car,
propels the boat and turns the wheel. We have
| streams to bear away the fleets of commerce as
| far as the tide may fow, and We have forests to
pud those fleets. 1t is for the people OF Virginia
| to say whether we have not the men to develop
| those resources. believe that we have. I have
confidence in nv fellow-citiZens. I believe that
there is great and glorious destiny yet in store for
| Virginia. 1 have given, think, reason for the
faith that is in me. But, Mr. President, confess
| that T too have my moments of despondency.
Wien think of what Virginia has boen, of all that
sbe has done for the Union, her sister States end
for mankind, and then reflect upon her present
condition may say, in the eloquent words OF an
other that thoughts, feelings and emotions crowd
upon my mind which cannot altogether repress
| and vet which in humble submission TO Divine
| Providence dare not express. But thank God
| that this is not my permanent state OF mind.
do not despair. The present hours OF darkness
and despondency will soon pass away, and Virginia,
if not exactly her old sell, will be great State
again. The time must come when she will hitch
on to the Federal train as great as any in her con-
stituton of freight and passengers and who shall
say that tie trumpet OF leadership may not be
nI9ced once more in her hands. Mr.. President,
every man has sometimes belief for which
ho cannot exactly account and which seems
to como to HIM more from intuition than reason.
Sueh. perhaps, Is in fact the foundation OF my
faith in the future greatness and prosperity Of
Virginia [ believe, sir, that the seed OF Anglo
American civilization was first sown on the silent
banks OF the James for some divine purpose. 1t
is now nearly three centuries since the Anglo
Saxon came. the master builder of forms of gov
crnment, with his compass and square to lay the
foundations Of the immense social fabric which VIC
now sec around us, emOracng almost every varle-
ty of climate and race viii h are known upon
earth. From that seed sprang the ''Old Domin-
ion'' the mother OF States and OF statesmen. 1t
was she who gave to the Revolution the leader OF
its armies and to the Union the man more than
anv other who may be considered its founder and
the preserver of it in infancy. 1t was she who
gave the author of the Declaration of Independ-
ence and tho long line of Virginia Presidents un-
der whose guidance the beginnings OF empire were
laid which are the most painful steps In nations
progress. Her great mission seems to have been
to promote individual liberty as far AZ was conss
tent with the existence OF Democratic Republican
government. We appeal to history to sustain the
assertion that whenever the Federal Government
was under the influence of Virginia principles the
people were harmonious, prosperous and happy,
and 50 soon as that government departed from
those principles trials and discomfort have arisen.
The o.d state of things has passed away; concen-
tration and consolidation ere now 10 order OF the
day Time will make up the issue betwecn the old
state of things and tho new; history will record
that ISSUE and impartial posterity will pro-
dict what it will be- but, as Virginian, do not
fear the result.
Mr.. President, hope for better things but still
I will look to the future i'll its worst aspect. Sup
pose that temporary supremacy OF the black
race should be forced upon US. Wclnust meet it
wltn manly fortitude, patient endurance; we
must do nothing inconsistent with our self-re-
spect or wound the honor of our people, which to
nations is the pearl OF greatest price. Patiently
wo will bde our time until the reaction comes, as
assuredly it must. Tho interests of the North
will not endure tho waste of so much Of tho
sources Of its wealth AMI prosperity; and may
not hope that its feelings will also forbid our sub
lection to such domination. Such state of
Things cannot last. We could not even be threat
terness of the contest had not obscured tho judg-
ment of those who now govern. These passions
must subsidc before long, and tho volcano will
burn out. For this 1 trust not only to natural
causes, but to Providence, which will not permit
the destiny of such State to be marred or leave
its tale ''haf untold"
In conclusion, felIow-oitizens, as Lord Eldon
SAID amongst tho best Of his utterances 81 sub
NIT the cause Of my country to that Great Being
who can say to tho madness OF the people as he
can say to tho raging waves Of tho ocean-Hther
shall thou come, no further"