The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-03-13
An .sOld Citizen,' on the 'sSitnati0n."
~ 1907


first was in driving us out of the Union.
This is the whole scope Of its measures.
1t demands of us impossibilities. 1t re-
quires everything, whilei it promises moth
ing Should we yield, we confess guilt,
we disown, discard every plea of right
and justice in our bloody struggle, and
bow our necks as criminals to its mercy.
Shall we do it? No--no--our manhood
iorbids it-conscience forbids it-justice
to our martyred dead forbids it. Wewere
driven into the conflict, reluctantly. in de-
fence of great principles, and although
overpowered, come what may, we can still
sustain our selfrespect and personal hon
or. What could be greater calamity to
us than the death'of the State Yet this
is the condition required Of u.s.
And to what end is the sacrifice to be
made? What evils are we to escape by
it? None are promised, and none are to
be expected. Other measures of oppres-
sion even now are in process of prepare
ton. Then let us bear as we may, calm
ly and patiently, the wrongs which we
have not power toavert, and look to Prov
icence for our final deliverence. We shall
thus at least preserve our honor and es.
cape contempt. We should remember,
moreover, that gloomy as our present con-
dition is, it is not altogether without hope.
"Man's extremity is Gods opportunity"
The whole trouble is the work of fac
tious, usurping majority in Congress, who
trample under foot the Constitution, and
openly avow their purpose to closr the way
Of all Instructions, Executive or Judicial,
which may hinder their designs. This is
Reuolmion, and must be arrested, sooner
or later, Or the libertieso of the whole coun-
try will be lost. Then why should we de-
spair? The battle is not ours alone
The citadel Of American freedom is at
tackled. Every citizen of the Republic
is interested in the issue, and if the spirit
Of liberty has not become extinct, ere long
we shall hear the thunders Of popular in
dignation coming up from every part of
the land, which are to sweep the usurpers
from their places, and herald our deliver
ance.
The whole world knows that Recon-
struction was an accomplished fact under
the liberal policy of President johnson.
Nothing was wanting but the admission
Of our Representatives to their seats in
Congress. But here the Radicals check
mated them A restored Union was not
what they wanted. It is the retention of
Power which they fear may be lost by
the admission Of the Southern States
Here is the whole secret. They don't
want us in the Union, aud never will, I'M
der any circumstances, admit us, as long
as they can prevent it.
There is one thing, Messrs. Editors,
that think we could do, and ought to do
now-as to all else, perhaps inaction,
would be our best action. And that is
hold County meetings and appoint Dele
gates to State Convention for the single
purpose Of preparing an Address to the
People of the United States, setting forth
our true feelings and the condition Ct
things amongst us, with such other matter
as they may see proper. The gross as
pensions which are cast upon us, and as
sumed by the Radicals as the necessity
for their expressions, ought to be met
We know them to be false, and it is due
toourselves and to the country that we
should show them to be so. ''Eyery where
| Gas President johnson justly remarks
there is tendency to substitute 'the Gov
erament" as the source Of Power instead
Of the "People," and it is against this ten
dency that the measure l here propose is
addressed. Respectfully yours,
/ CITIZEN.
A Warming
The story Of the Alexandria election is
told elsewhere, says the Richmond Exami-
ner of the 9TH We refer to it here simply
to point the moral of the counsel we ven
tured to give our citizens last Tuesday
to be united. The Conservative people of
Alexandria, in place of presenting har-
monious and united front to their Radical
foes, offered themselves an easy prey to
their enemies, if the black vote shall lie
counted. How utterly insignificant mat
ter it is whether Mr.. Latham or Mr. Mar
bury should be their choice, compared
with the question whether an honest man
or Republican should administer their
government! Let the whole States take
warning from this instructive example.
The opportunity for putting in practice the
wisdom it inculcates will soon be afforded
all of us. When that opportunity comes,
the dispute asto the right Of the negro to
vote will have been adjusted, and the
question will be, shall the whites so vote
as to give the control ofthe States into the
hands of the worst Of the blacks!
| The commitment ofthe destinies Of these
States into the hands Of hundred Of thou
sands of ignorant, depraved blacks, utter
ly incapable Of compromising political
principle, without any training, anddevoid
Of any qualification, was designed to have
the effect of making desolation of the
Southern States. Those who framed the
yillainy desired to see repeated here the
horrors Of Hayti. It would delight the
heart of the Republican leaders to see every
Southern city in flames, and every hearth
desolate every Southern parentand every
Southern child starving, and the entire
population given over to the unbridled
rage and passions Of a drunken mob That
is what Mr.. Stevens, and Mr.. Sumner,
and Mr.. Wilson, and Mr.. Shellabarged,
and Mr.. Wade, are laboring for four
yeart past. We can prevent it-and pre-
vent it alone by perfect harmony. Let our
political enemies, be our personal enemies,
T. /