Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1867-03-14

l.
the conqueror may divide the property
therein among all his followers. or give it
to designated persons, OF be may sealit to
the highest bidder, in large or in small
parcels. Then he becomes the new guar
antor of a title SO granted, and The title
depends on his ability to defend it.
This is no new theory, nor the inliea-
ton Of any new practice. The greater
part of England has been divided out in this
way several times. The most of their
present tenures were derived, and are held
in this way. The same is true Of "a large
part of the continent of Europe Nor is
this theory a new one in Virginia It
formed the theme of most of the public
speeches made on this side during the war;;
and elaborate newspaper articles were writ
ten to stimulate the people to desperate ac-
ton by the assurance that if the Confeder-
ate cause faIled, the owners would lose all
their slaves their lands would be confs-
Gated and divided among the federal SOL
diers and colored people; and even enbra-
cling the other idea in the biIf, that the
negroes would be clothed with all the civ
il and political rights of the white man.
1t was on this theory that the torch was
applied to this beautiful city, and millions
Of treasure given to the devouring flames.
1t is on this theory that the very air is rife
with the rumor that most stringent con-
fscation bill is now pending in Washing
ton, to be put into operation. think the
peoble may be saved from this threatened
danger.
Gentlemen, { an deeply in earnest on.
this subject. | have been panied, in the
last fifteen months, to see the irritating
causes which have produced this legislation
at Washington. / have tried to discour-
age them. Ny efforts have been turned
into ridicule and defamation has followed
the best intended acts. If punishment
could fail Oh those only who have provok-
e6 the trouble, there would be few regrets.
But this cannot be the Innocent must also
suffer. If there be any truth in human
testimony, tllree-fourths of the men of Fir-
glnla-tarlAers, mechanics and merchants,
are as we'll disposed as any people in the
nation. The causes of irritation come from
COh' Pe.i"oiFClJ lew. lie NidsSto tdlHcSlly
desire peace aud its blessings, and have no
sympathy with these restless agitators and
disturbers of the public peace.
L think the ouly proper mode of seeur-
ing safety and tranquility to the State, is
for the legislature, on the basis of the "a
bove act Of Congress, an good faith, to
carry out the requirments Of the law, and
adapt ourselves to the new state of affairs
at once. have confidence that our color
ed people will quietly assume the new priv
:ileges conferred on them, and will act very
much like those who now enjoy the fran
chise, by voting for their friends 1t is
proper that the proposed convention shall
be ordered by the General Assembly
Any other mode would be irregular, aud
may be productive Of disorder and result
IN the worst consequences. 1t may be dis
tasteful to the members Of the General AS
sembIy. But personal considerations can
not, and ought not to be allowed to have
any influence in this case you are repre-
sentative men; the individual sinks in the
representative. The fortunes and happi-
ness Of a million Of people may depend Oh
your prompt action. The question is not
what is pleasant or distasteful to you, but
what does the interest aud welfare eff yops
constituents and State demand at your
hands! [ hope you will not shrink from
responsibility, but act promptly. May
merciful God grant peace to our distracted
State and give confidence to disponding
people. T. II. pEsRro1Nr.
GENrfEssEN-The printed message sub
mitted to you to-day was prepared with the
expectation of communicating it to you du-
ring your late: regular session. But the
bill to which it refers did not finally pass
through Congress in time; therefore the
message was delayed. You are familiar
with the unfinished business which de-
mands your atthntion. | shall therefore
leave ito your wisdom to complete such
business rs the pablo exigcncies demand
at your hands f. LII. PEIRpoINT.
From the National IltcllIgencer of tie sth.I
The Re-anne Ration of Alexandria.
The House of Representatives yesterday,
by a vote Of one hundred and eleven to
twenty-eigbt, passed bill to repeal the
law retroceding the county Of Alexandria to
the State Of Virginia, and reFussating tbs
jurisdiction of the District Of Columbia over
the original ten miles square.
Section | fepeals the act of July 9,
1876, retroceding Alexandria eounty to
the State Of Virginia.
Section 2 provides for the protection of
private and public property aud rights.
Section 3 provides that all cases in the
courts now pending and not concluded,
and hereafter to be brought, shall be con-
Quoted in accordance W ith the laws in force
in the District Of Columbia
Section I regulates the assessment and
collection of taxes of every description, in
accordance with the laws in force in this
District
Section 5 declares vacant al civil Offices
in the city and county of Alexandria, and