Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-09-04
ALEXANDRIA.
WEDNESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 4

To AN UNPREJUDICED OBSERVER of passing
events, the present condition of public matters
-in Virginia must appear strange enough. He
sees among almost the whole white population
and many Of the most respectable colored PEG
lie of the State, an entire willingness to sub
nut to the laws of the country, however harsh
and disagreeable they may be; and to remain
in peace and quietness, turning their attention
away from politics, and seeking to devote their
time and energies TO works of labor, skill, and
enterprise, and to the cultivation of the soil,
the pursuits Of commerce, and the occupations
of mechanical and manufacturing industry
Public meetings are eschewed-party organl-
cations discountenanced- political discussions
avoided. Few candidates for Offices so tar are
announced, and those who have come forward
are thought to be premature in their move
ments. This is one side Of the picture. On
the other, he finds few Radical white men
heading aud leading their followers, and large
mass of colored people, agltating in every pos
sibe way;-holding public meetings continu-
ally, turning churches into political halls
forming clubs, - leagues, and unions,
spouting and speechifying harangueing and
clustering, passing resolutions, neddling and
interfering, exciting bad feeling, setting one
lace in antagonism to the other, aud making
fuss generally This is the condition OF
things. 1t is so 10 every county where the
party manipulators' have been at work for
the accomplishment of bad designs and worse
purposes Every sensible man, who is not
corroded and crusted over with party preju-
dice and hatred, cannot fail to lay the blame
for this upon the shoulders Of those who for
selfish party interests, are thus stirring up aud
keeping alive strife aud connection, and re-
tarding and preventing, as tar as they are able.
the restoration of the South, and especially
Virginia, unless tbey-the agitators- the
entire harvest OF position. power, spoils, and
future opportunity for mischief and oppression.
Those who are aiding, abettng. Or countenan-
cling these proceedings, or who look Gu, with
out a word of remonstrauce or condemnation,
OF quietly encourage the course pursued by
those over whom they have influence, may
think themselves safe from the evils which are
to flow from the condition we have sketched.
But, as sures as the sun shines, Or as night
follows day, they, too, will ultimately suffer
IRON the crimes, follies, and excuses which now
prevail Their turn will come, by and bye. In
the general result their interests and their
rights will also sufer--nor need they expect
that the whirlwind they have allowed to be
raised will PROSTATE only the majority Of the
white people Of Virginia who have their all at
stake. and leave them unframed and untouch
ed The substantial men, of both colors, and
of all parties, of business pursuits; with steady
occupations, who have their livings to procure
by their labor, OF who have acquired property
ty their previous labor, will ali realize our pre-
dictions, unless the current be stayed BY wise
eounsels and judicious action,