The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-04-03
few Words on the Coaseatien Question.

Inc communication we puDilSh III feid-
ton to the State Senate, mcritsa hearing.
The writer welded III war a Damascus
blade, and is honcred with the scars Of
many battles. The pen he handles in
peace is as trenchant as was his scinitar
in the fight. We fully endorse the action
Of the Senate on the propricty of calling
Convention, and We are convinced that an
overwhelming mass Of the people are with
us. Its conduct requires no vindication.
but, in our opinion, the truth Of history
does.
How stands the case: The s. S. S. bill
said that the only way through which the
| Southern States could enter the Union.
and avoid more terrible oppression than
that already suffered, was by a convention.
to be called by the people, to form a Con
stitution ofgovernment, in accordance Will,
the provisions of said bill. The military
commander had no power to call it, the
President said he had none and advised
action, and it was as certain, as that night
follows the day, that convention would
| be assembled. The only consideration
then was, whether the General Assembly
while, not acknowledging the constitution
ality of the law, but acting under con-
straiut, should give the form Of law to the
call and thereby endeavor to control events.
or permit Hunnicutt, Underwood and the
fanatics to take the reins, and drive us to
ruin at their pleasure. The Senate acted
wisely in their deliberate (for it was done
after exhausting argument decision. and
the House Of Delegates would have sus-
tanned the measure, with greater unanim-
ity than the Senate did. That is, ten to
one, had not the Wilson Supplemental bill
interviewed and rendered Gin its opinion. J
further action unnecessary
1t is striking fact, which the records
| Will ouOW, LllAC uuSC VI tuOGC W AO uCHluI .
in such vehement and sometimes abusive
words, tothe doings of the Senate are those
who never set squadron in the field or
smelt gun powder during the war, but
were among the foremost, after the surren
der, to besiege the Offices of the Provost
Marshall, shouting 'peccavi and swearing
on the holy Evangelist Of Almighty God
that they would sin no more against the
hated yankee government some OF
them, deeming the absolution from pro
vincial officer insufficient, fastened, upon a
pilgrimage to Richmond, and there in sack
cloth and ashes, confessed their offences
and swore, "by all the God at once that
) they would forever thereafter be loyal citi-
zens; and some more Of them. still more
anxious to be saved, on Bonded knees with
humble petition, implored the President
; to forgive them for their political trans
gressions; obtained his gracious clemency
and now hold the documents showing that
they have full pardon and amnesty, for
all participation in the rebellion. Some
few might be Indicted Oh graver complaints,
: but we forbear. We do not object to these
gentlemen On account of their having taken
the oath of amnesty, or obtained pardon
that was all right.-but We do say shame
upon them when they attempt to cry down
the Legislature for taking the only step
permitted to be taken, in the direction Of
tering any protection to person and prop
erty. We hope to hear no more Of it
Let those who shouldered the musket be
the ones to lead in the reconstruction of the
government.
And glance at the honored list: Lee
Beauregard, Longstreet Joseph Johnston.
Dick Taylor, Hampton. Malone, Gordon
Henry A. Wise, Iniboden, Echols and a
host Of others, endorse the policy Of action
and urge their fellow citizens to meet the
situation and master it. Let us have no
: more squabbling, and let those who are
not prepared to act in the present crisis
take back seats. Our interests are one.
and our only hope IS in working together
tremendously and cordially. The most
important duty now for every man quail
fed, to register" and secure vote. Then
; to vote for Convention and send men t.
it, who will come up to the requirements
of the situation. The military bill has
been ingeniously devised, to make us vote
for Convention at the same time we elect
delegates, and thus give it the appearance
Of a voluntary act on our part. But that
should keep no man from voting for Con
ycntion-for it is forced measure, call it
what you will. In the words of General
Longstreet, we must recognize the fact
that we are conquered people, and man
fully perform the duties that condition i'm
poses upon us. Do this like men; d.
your duty towards the colored people; send
the best men available to the Convention,
and in less than ten years you will see a
new Dominion and new South-rich,
: | 4 a.