The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1868-11-11
Northern Men i'll Virginia.
A correspondent Of the Baltimore Stat
II a II

| A correspondent OF the Baltimore States
man writing from Halifax c. H. says:
am grieyed at the Misrepresentation OF
the people Of Virginia, in which the North
ern press persists. Their repeated charges
that Northern men are denounced, indis-
criminately, as 'carpet-baggcrs," and treated
with insult and indignity, are cruelty false
have lived for seventy years in this county,
which was probably most affected by the
events of the war, because of its large slave
population | am familiar with the senti-
ments and feelings Of its population, and |
know, from observation and correspondence,
that they fairly represent the sentiments and
feelings Of the whole State.
1t may be Of doubtful utility to repeat
what has already been SO often stated, but it
may be of possible benefit to explain the pre-
else attitude in which Northern men stand
with reference to our citizens. The honest
immigrant-the real settler, the tradesman,
or mechanic-who comes from the North and
seeks to establish permanent home in Vir-
GINA, not only has nothing to apprehcnd in
the way Of personal annoyance or injury, but
is sincerely welcomed as a desirable addition
to our population. His political opinions do
not affect the estimate which his new neigh
bors form of him; that depends entirely upon
his personal character and conduct, and the
testimony, on this point, Of men from every
part Of the North, is abundant and conclu-
sive. | might mention two well-known names
to which Lam willing to refer, and by whose
evidence ! am ready to abide. l mean the
Rev. DR.. Sears, at Staunton, and General
Milford, at Richmond. But that class who
are designated as carpet baggers stand in
very different relation to us. They come
among our people to obtain Office, and to pro-
fit BY our dlsorganized society. They bring
no character with them, and have left no good
reputation behind. They are mere adven-
turers, impecunious, irresponsible and grasp
ing; they stir up sedition and strife, and
they debauch the minds of the ignorant ne
groes, deluding, deceiving and plundering
them. In many instances, outcasts from
Northern society; in others, escaped or par
doned felons, they form ready alliance with
all that is bad in our midst; they are with
out sympathy with black or white, without
sake in the community, without interest in
property, and yet they aim, and too aften sue
eeed, in filing official positions and exercising
relentless and irresponsible authority over
US. 1t would be strange indeed if every
emotion of our natures did not revolt at the
presence of such men, No Northern society
would endure them, and yet when we revolt
against these calumniators of our oldest and
best citizens; these slanderers of our purest
womanhood; these pervertcrs of tho real
feelings and purposes Of our people, we are
blamed by the very class at the North who
would deem themselves contaminated by their
touch. Is 1t strange that we complain of the
recognition which such men obtain from au-
thorlty, and the readiness with which their
falschoods are received with pretended belief,
and made the prctext for new expressions
We are willing to accept the consequences of
the war In every true aud honest sense; but
the presence and the power Of this class of
men present the most depressing illustration
OF our humiliation the most hateful remind. |
er OF our helplessness and degradation. I'll
trust that the North will take the trouble to
understand our real feelings and notions.
Let them believe Mr.. Adams, DIR. Sears and
others, who bear true testimony to both.
Let them not do the grievous injustice to
themselves, 10 thelr own motives, to their own
civilization, which will be involved in the
demand that We shall include among the in
evltable results of conquest, willing accept
ance-as part Of our social and political sys-
an element which 20 organized So
siety would endure for dav.
may be uselessly consuming the space
his hurried communication will take in your
columns, but feel impressed with the duty
If declaring how willingly our people will
Welcome honest and true settlers from the
North; how cheerfully we will labor with
hem in working out whatever prosperity the
uturc may have in store for our poor old
State.
Seynral shocks of earthnuakes were d..