Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-06-25
From the Richmond Dispatch. !
Unconditional Union Men"

| From the Richmond Dispatch.
Unconditional Union Men,"
What do these words mean? We do not be
lieve any body at the South is at liberty to as
sumo any such attitude as unconditional y
We are surrounded, hedged in, and kept dowr
by conditions. I" The reconstruction acts bristle
with them. The ifs are piled up with ex-
cessive precautlon: If and ''if' and If. -
| And as IF" these were not sufficient, we have
| the added conditions of Mr.. Kelley of liberal
| system of common schools of Mr.. Sumner, of
equality of colors in the schools of the Radical
Executive Committee that we must become
| radicalized with other conditions suggested by
gentlemen high in the Radical party, who speak
as having authority.
SO that the dominant party represented by
the 'unconditionals' in Virginia are determin-
ed that nothing shall be done save upon ''con-
dition'
The unconditional Union men, not satisfied
with this name as an exclusion of conscientious
gentlemen from association with them, declare
In their public call for Convention that they
desire to rescue themselves and the State
particularly the State and its o6fcesl from the
hands Of those a0ho haze brought rum, desola-
tion, audnt, aud aUretchedness upon our land. -
As to who did this there is at least ground for
debate. But the going back to that question
OF the past displays at once the meaning and
proscriptive spirit of these unconditional Uni
on men," The meaning is that those who join
ed the State in its resistance to the Federal
Government brought on this ''ruin, desolation, :"
etc Yet, it all those unite against the suncon-
dltlonals, how are they to triumph? Only by
the aid of some adroit scheme to detach part
OF the people from the more prominent men or
leaders. The bare suppositi0h that such
scheme could succeed is an imputation upon
the honor of the people. Will any respectable
number of citizens be so treacherous and un-
manly as to seek to make others the scape-goats
of their acts? Can they incur the double guilt
and opprobrium Of first oowardly evading re-
sponslhlEty for their own acts, and then joining
these unconditional" uncompromising per-
sons in denouncing their late comrades, who
are not one whit more culpahle than themselves?
No Virginian, no true man, would betray his
brother in manner so disgraceful to the hui
man race. Those who count upon such treach-
cry in Virginia will be disappointed.
Such must be the expectation of this proscrip-
tive party. Those who from having helped to
bring ruin, &C., cannot take part in the ad-
n'anaStrdtlon OF the government proposed to be
rescued are allowed to cote for those who did
not help to BRING rain i. e. who neither sympa-
thlzed with nor took part in the rebellion. The
family of 'uncopditionals" are thus the High
Priests forever to whom the rebels may bring
fruits but they cannot be suffered to enjoy the
dignities and emoluments
1t is to be lamented that any party so pro-
scrlptlve should be organized in Virginia. 1t
IS manifest that it is by intention based upon
the negro vote. Its leaders, at most, count up
on very small part of the sehtte cote of Virgin
ia. They deliberately propose to subordinate
the real people of Virginia-that white popula-
ton ON whose talents, energy, experience, and
worth rests all our hope for the recovery of the
prosperity of the State and for the preservation
Of its order and its high character the negro
population. That is it, and nothing else. The
success Of such scheme would be deplorable-
deplorable for its results for both white and
black and Its injury to the interests and the
character Of Virginia. No party that does not
embrace q large majority Of the aotite people of
Virginia should succeed in controlling its gov
ernment or shaping its destinies.
The Southern people fought on a point of
honor and principle, The principle involved
a question not settled by the framers of the u
States Constitution and it was therefore, left
to the arbitrament of bloody war The South
was defeated, and her people Immediately yield
ed their allegiance to the Federal Government.
From the moment defeat was acknowledged,
and adhesion to the government was signifed
by them, they were true and trustworthy citi-
zens, and 1t is gross injustice, and most unwise
and injurious policy to doubt them. Nor do
we believe they are distrusted They are pre-
judiced and injured by pretended doubts and
imputations, and subjected to exclusions 70
past acts, merely for party advantages and to
diminish the number eligible to Offices. The
unconditional in this way have fine pros
pect should they triumph. Offices will be a.
bundant, eligible persons few.