Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-05-11

Es1ou Citizens Of Alexandria and Fuirfnr

Z GtOD ttt.CNS " t' Lev -N"'
CountiS.-
| have been requested by many of you to
express nv views upon registration and organ.
cation You also desire of me to know the
opinions of the late Legislators, as tar as / am
conversant With them, on that subject.
In answer to the first question, my Own opln-
ion is, that you should register and organize at
once, without special pleading or f~altering in
the ranks-I believe it to be your only course.
Burke says: "Whcn bad men combine, the
true must associate; else they will fall an IN
pitied sacrifice in a struggle with the contempt
ible."
In reply to the second question As far SIS l
know, or have heard, not only are The great
majority OF both houses in favour OF Il conVen-
ton, (as their votes attest, but | have yet to
see the first member of either house who Is not
in favour of both organization and registration.
7 will give you some proofs Of this fact Sena-
tor D. S. G. Cabell, (of Nelson, 4 scholar and
a soldier, who, at the first sound OF the trum-
net, Though opposed to secession, Joined the
Confederate army, and fought through all that
~eventful and bloody war. laying down his arms
only in its last hour, at Appomattox Court
House-this gentleman addressed his CON
s~tituency before the adjournment urging them
to the course which | nov lmplOrc you to
pursue.
The gallant and talented Col. Keen, Of Pitt
s~ylvania, Ca man of as much genius az brave.
ry) informed me he should by every means In
bis power urge and advocate such l course-.
Numbers of others arc Of the same WAY OF
thinking-and if there arc any that dltttr from
them, It's "the exception, not the rule
| have replied TO your questions with dll-
dence, yet | do it With confidence, as | know
your better Judgment will approve what say.
| believe it is your policy, as well as your
duty. believe q great majority OF our people
see the course they should pursue, and seeing
dare pursue it, no matter how difficult The CIR,
cumstances under which they have to contend
Tor their rights may be. Hear General Long
street, one Of your most distinguished leaders.
He says:
''It the last funeral litUs OF The Southern
Confcder0cy have not been performed, let nS,
with due so!emnity, proceed to discharge that
painful duly. and then return to cur allegiance
under the process Lard down by Congress"
Fell0w-citizens, there is no huml'iatiOn ih
the course | advocate. Let not false pride and
bitter, bitter memories, induce you to iii oppo-
site coursc-suicidal to your State. yourselves,
your children, and perhaps To the government
you have sworn to support. J. Will not argue
the question; it has been So fully diseased By
our greatest men, that ! shrink from Tie tasE.
But will pray you, a. far AZ it i3 possible
for human nature to do 50, let the dead past
bury its memories, its s0rr0Hs; and It's WioIgs.
You have nothing 10 be ashamed OF. You
we're overcome BY numbers. which could not he
Rithstocd: and will have for valor a reputation
while history tells the story OF your battles.
Iou were not Ike Is phrainl : children, who
l-:,- i.,,.--.I and .,IrEiu ENTy. tuT6gH
themsclys. back In the day oi battle" Then
why let the defeat ul The past cloud, IS with
midnight darkness. the hopes Of The future
Your great Chief says, from his rIi2on home
I'VE have now no country but America. Ii
We remain here aud Lacomc c]itizena, interest
aud honor should alike i'll pei liz IL do every
thing ia our poacr u build up our pr1stratc
and bleeding State. and to cling TO aud advance
the interests Of the United States Government
Gems. Lee, Beaurcguld, johnson, Ian ptOn
Malone and thousands Of others, ~ good meu
and true, advise you thus to proceed. You
followed these glorious leaders in the battle
field CAM you trust their teachings now ?
II you do, peace, plenty, and, | hope, I%rsterul-
!y and happiness will be restored to our how
detected and solrowinR Stale.
ln your military governor, Maj Gen. Scho-
field, You have 4 calm, rejecting man, 4nI one
of distinguished ability, and one whose admin
i~stration I feel justified in saying will be for
the best interests Of your people, and one who,
while he is just to all, will favor none.
In conclusion, fellow-citizens, let me ask you
to be regardless of the clamor Of disorgani2ers,
and Stun and e~xecrate the teachings Of these
political missionaries, who are inlndatlng our
State, and whispering from their yenomed
tongues, (for their own b~enellt), "The South
is degrading herself LET her not accept her
own Ilumiliation;' Let her remain p~assivc.''
These are people, believe me, who glory in
your faltering-peoplc who would make you
drink the cup Of gall and wormwood TO the
drcgs. They don't want you to register, be-
cunee Mey don't acant yoM to rOte. | say to
you, iellow-citizens, il by your lethargy, your
folly, l had almost said, you permit them to
carry the coming elections, sergltude and con-
~fscation will sweep over you, like an avalanche
and when it is too late you will sorrow az
men without hope. | have the honor to be,
fellow. citizens, your friend and oh,dt. ser'vt.,
DAN. +. DULANY,
Of the Senate Of Virginia.
FAIRFAX Co., Va, May 10, 1867.
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