The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-05-04
Useless Controversy.

There Is said at this time O great deal III,
the way Of controversy and cavil that Is
worse than useless. IL the press couiu
desist from an old habit acquired through
the custom Of political and party disputa-
ton In past times, 1t would be OF INFINITE
advantage to the State.
Men are cavillipg about words when
events are sweeping over the country with
force utterly irresistible. They scheme
and maneuvre for the advantage in a mere
war of words, like boys at marbles, who
resort persistently to every trick to dis
concert the adversary. "Vence your
clearance "-"vence your hands room
ance tho poking ''-"knuckle down.
and what, with these restrictions and many
little tricks. the strategists contrive to save
their "taws" from death, and get the ad-
vantage. Precisely after this sort is the
"little game now being played by "boys
of a larger growth"
II is pity it cannot be discontinued. 1t
serves to discomfort some people, and con-
fuse any general plan for the easy solution
and control of the process now going on,
and which demands harmony and unity
amongst our people to prevent evil.
The reconstruction under the acts o.
Congress is fixed fact. No power on
earth can prevent it. No change in puoiic
sentiment can possibly intervene-no deci-
sion Of the Supreme Court can come III
time before the reconstruction on m'S PFd"
. accomplished. When done, will any one
tell ms how it is to be undone Have the
old fogies and veteran partisans-have the
s;tterty. gibbets considered this? If they
have not. let them sit down and ponder
awhile. Can they take out Of the sea the
drop of fresh water that has fallen into it :
Can thew restore to their original shape
and formation the masses upheaved by the
volcanoS As easily may they restore this
State and this population to their former
condition. The Supreme Court will never
attempt it. Never
And the negro-why dispute about him
His status is settled. Nothing short OF
omnipotent Intervention can change It,.
He is the equal of the white man before
the law, and there he must stand. Had
we the power to change his position, and
place him again in slavery, would we do
1t? We say no! The South would never
again encounter the difficulties-the ever
lasting war and strife which was kept up
by slavery an institution she had no part
in creating, and for which she IS an no 'olSe
responsible. No, she is content to let mat
ters stand, and it is her wish to make the
best of her. situation.
t. We believe the people are ahead OF the
press. They have done with disputing as
to how far the law shall keep up distinc-
tions. They have come to the true point
of asking none and desiring none. They
are ready to rest the maintenance of their
positions in society upon the force OF their
own intellects and capacities. Gould the
question be put now to the entire people OF
Virginia care you willing to give up the
"distinctions of law and trust to your own
"powers ?" there would be one univer-
sal RESPONSE of "YES"-So unanimous, so
hearty, that it would shake the vault above
us.
Then why cavil about words? and why
use too many words? We suggest to plat
form trainers not to be excited-to frame
their work calmly and reject useless orna-
ment. Adhere to the positive. The super
latire won't do in such matters. Use no
more words than necessary, and avoid the
piling up of explosives, which only afford
cavaliers an opportunity to carp and criti-
else.
Then, congressional reconstructionis I'M
ayoidable-the equality of the negro with
the white man is fixed fact. Why en-
deavor to engender discomfort, reluctance,
and downright opposition to that plan by
barping upon its wrongs and exciting de-
Ius;ye hopes that it may be avoided Why
cayil at the negro equality and essay tore
tain legal distinctions which will only per-
petuate agitation to abolish them! 1t is
all idle and mischievous. The United
States is our country. We must make IT
SO by our conduct. 1t is our policy and
our duty. We can only be prosperous and
happy by pursuing this course. Does any
one desire to pursue different one Let
him read the sad letters of the prominent
men who now groan in misery in their vo-
luntary exile. Read CLAY's letter, and
reflect. Look at the PROSTATE condition OF
the country-look at the restless condition
of the public mind, and ask yourself shall
we not seek quiet and order in restoration
Is Il not wiser to take it cheerfully under
the congressional plan than to continue our
unhappy condition and wind up in still
worse results
Let us, for sake of the country, have,
If possible, no more cavilling, and 60 to
work earnestly to reconstruct the State
and restore peace and prosperity to the
South.
,,a