Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-11-26
Address to the Young Men of Virginia
RICHMOND, Nov. 9Th, 1867.

RICHMOND, Nov. 9th, 1867.
Comrades and FeLIOlr- ITrg,niaRS -
Feeling that the solemn political exigeucies
aud alarming f3rebodings Ofth present juno
ture of affairs will excuse the liberty, we ven
ture humbly, but emphatically, to address
few words to you. Feeling our individual
weakness, and conscious Of the powers of uni
ted and organized effort, we solicit your coun-
sci, and ask your assistance. Virginia, whose
destiny and honor is the measure of our posi-
tiOn and happiness, is at this moment in cri-
sis, the issue of which will necessarily be her
salvation, and which will either subject us to
the most degrading slavery, or will lift us to
those grand liberties aud happy lives enjoyed
by our more fortunate fathers. We call upon
our young fellow citizens, not with any idea
that we are better qualified than those older
and wiser than ourselves for this arduous and
responsible duty nor yet because we wish to
act independently in u cause common to all,
young and old but because we think it Just
and tit that we. who are fresh in the activity
of youth and upon whom so much may de-
pend in the future, should take upon our
selves gOOdly share of this vital struggle.
The old men have, in the recent canvass.
shown themselves fired with the enthusiasm of
youth, and have labOred with an energy and
devotion worthy of better results. And lust
here we would sOlemnly appeal and protest
against all false notions of pride or mistaken
spirit of honor, of which we have heard so
much, urged by the impetuous, but we think
mistaken patriotism of many Of our best
young men, who, from the purest, but the
most imPOitic of notions, have determined
not to register or vote. Let us look the 0ues-
tIOn calmly and squarcly in the face. We
are splitting ourseIves,and injuring the State
by this line of conduct. Throw aside all
personal pride and individual feeling in this
vital struggle, and. us true Nirginians, for
get every prejudice and silence every passion
for the good OF Virginia
Will you be ruled by the white man or the
black This is the issue painly aud dis
tnctly presented to US. 1t is sad aud truly
alarming one. 1t is one which involves the
life, the liberty, the prosperity aud the sacred
honor OF every Nirginian within the Com
mOnwealth 1t is an issue which will decide
whether the glorious dust of our illustrious
and immortal dead and the historic renown
of more than two centuries shall be spurned
and repudiated, or whether our Old Domin-
ion, which in the past has been the brightest
jewel in Il continents corouet. shall still live
on, admired by the world as the model of re-
publican government, domestic happiness and
individual prosperity. Nay, more than this,
1t IS an issue which comes to each of our fire.
sides and to our very affairs, and involves the
safety and sanctity OF those tender ones, who
are dearer to US than ourselves. We appeal
to you, then, young men of Virginia. to awake
to the dangers OF the hour, aud lock shields
with us in this conflict which must soon de-
eide, not only our own destiny, but the fate
of our mothers and sisters and the honorable
memory of those who for an age have laid
down their lives that our own wrongs might
be viudicated and our rights secured! Shall
the land, the heroic deeds and the haIlowed
names of Washington and Henry, of Jeffer-
son and Lee be disgraced by our supineness
and apathy? Shall we stand listlessly by and
behold our nativity, the venerated mother of
States and statesmen, welded to Africa p
Shall that future which stretches out before
each of us have every moment pregnant with
misery and ruin, without an honest and ear
nest effort by Us to crown each hour with the
garlands of joy and freedom? No, We are
assured that cur appeal TO you will not be