The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-03-13
What q gallant soldier thinks about q
Convention.

times, when the voice of the
Statesman is no longer heard upon the hus-
tings, counselling aud advising the people,
a free and independent press is to be val
uea more that ever. Indeed an open and
manly course now by the press is what we
want.
And we find that regardless Of public
clamor you have spoken, with the voice Of
thunder, in favor Of a State Convention
There has been no cringing, no waiting
for the development Of popular opinion
but untramnelled and like a free born
American citizen, you have uttered the
honest convictions of your heart. You
have spoken TO, the voice ola soldier, one
which finds au echo in the hearts of nine
tenths Of the soldiers who served their ma
tive South in the day and hour Of trial, IN
the field.
They are fully arouscd to the Importance
Of the hour; they feel that the crisis is
upon US that the angry waves Of radical
ism and the pillows OF malignant hatred
are rolling high, about to engulph u.s.
That Virginia with all her prestige and
renown has been reduced to Military
District-the home Of Washington, Jefer-
son and Madison is to be made patrol
ground for armed soldiery. The mighty
thunder of Northern wrath and scorn is
heard, and the hail of hatxed is about to
descend. Shall we lie supinely upon our
backs and fold our arms in unconcern I'M
til the storm bursts upon us in all its fury?
No! we will act. We met the enemy in
deadly conflict for fourl long years, battling
for the cause of justice and right; but our
armies, after displaying Spartan yalor aud
courage. overpowered and overwhelmed
by numbers, one by one succumbed to the
Military power of tho United States, and
with sad and depressed hearts We return
ed to our homes and to the bosom of our
families, with the heart-repding tale
The cause was lost, and now as conquer
ed people, we are required and compelled
to comply with the mandates and edicts Of
our conquerors.
Weall took the Amnesty oath and the
oath to support the Constitution of the
United States after the surrender. because
we were compelled to do so-now we are
compelled to obey the requirements Of the
Sherman shellebarger bill. five do not
accept it, we will be made to drink Of the
still bitterer cup Of confscation. But, if a0e
call Convention, frame a Constitution,
conformable to the provisions ofthe Sher-
man bill, we will be admitted into the
Union, (they say we have been out,) en-
titled to representation in Congress, and
thereby place ourselves in a position to
exert some power we have none, but
are at the mere beck and call of the most
relentless foe, that ever disgraced the name
Of humanity and civilization. We will
thwart the designs of the low, grovelling
spirits among us who term themselves
loyal" men, who with the assistance Of
the negroes would call Convention and
thereby force upon us laws, as odious as
their evil, corrupt and hcllish minds could
conceive.
But "lost honor" seems to rise before
the visions of some Of the leige lords OF
creation, when you talk to them upon tbs
subject Of Convention. They say ssle1
us lose all, rather than honor" Ard who
are these ''honor' gentlemen? Let us ex
anime their credentials.
Crcdential No. 1, Q861 Secession
feeling rampant. Everybody urged te
join the army, but the ''honor" gentlemen
''stand Off"
Credential No 2, (1863 )-Confsderatt
cause dark "More men" called for
''Honcr" gentlemen get old very rapidly
Hearty and robust yesterday; sickly anc
delicate to-day. Heart disease is very
prevalent among the III. G's." and soft
places are sought with great eagerness.
Credential No. 3, (1S64. cause still
darker. Many details applied for. III
Gs.," of the Medical fraternity, consider
their services necessary at home. Money
coming in fast. Soldiers families charg
ed 81. 900 per barrel for -four.
Credential No. 4, 1865.)-Eagerness
of the III. g." to take required oaths.-
Pardons sought for by the H. G's. under
the $4,000 clause.
Credential No. 5, Qs67.) 1.-The Stay
Law The II. G's. protected and shielded
byit-oppress those who were in the army
Passage Of the Sherman bill. The IT, G's
cry CLOSE all, rather than honorv'
Here then, Dear "Virginian,' are the
credentials Of these shonor" gentlemen,
and with this record they oppose Con
vention
Honor indeed! It was all absorbed in
gout, rheumatism, disease Of the heart
&C., or else desire to attend to the wants
of the "dear' people at home during the
war; But soldiers understand all these
things, and they feel that this cry of "hon-
or" comes with bad grace indeed from
these gentlemen, with such budget Of
credentials; from men who urged the Sc
eession Of the State, and yet never should
cred musket during the long and bloody
war, but remained at home around warm
hearthstones, during the cold and bitter
blasts of winter, and cooled themselves be-
meath the shades of Mountain Businesses
and retreats from the searching rays of the
summers Sun.
They have got in fighting mood, at
least tico gears too late. Be still! Be
quiet Ye degenerate sons Of your Moth
er State. The soldiers who faced the enemy
and shed their blood, look upon you with
scorn and derision. The ashes of the no.
Bile and heroic dead command Silence
Silence!
Let us reflect for a moment Where
are those great nations; those mighty monu-
ments Of human skill, of human ingenuity,