The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-11-07
SPIRIT OF THE PRESS.
EDITORIAL OPINIONS OF THE LEADING JOURNALS
UPON cURRBST TOPICs-CoMPILED EvBRY
DAY FOR THE EVENING VBLBGRAPH.
Old Yirginia,

OAu
From ne ". T. Tribune.
We trust that tbs result Just achieved in
the election of Grant aud Colfax insures the
speedy return OF Virginia to selfgOvernment
and her proper place in the councils Of the
republic, from which she has too long been
eetranged. As sha went out in frenzy of
madness produced by talsehOod, ii was well
that che should take ample time for her re-
turn; but that time has now been exceeded.
She ought to have returned simultaneously
with the CarolDaa; but it was not her choice
to do so. Her ancient aristOoraoy would wait
and see whether they could not come in with
flying colors, trampliDg on the necks of their
late bondmen, by virtue OF the triumph OF
Seymour and Blair. That hope being now
blasted, we are confident that she will accept
her new and truly democratic constitution
and present herself at the doors of ths Capitol
impersonsted in loyal delegation, aud that
she will be welcomed to the place she once
honored, and should never have abandoned.
Then let all disfranchiseme be speedily re-
moved, and let her psople forget their past
alterations in a new aud lasting devotion to
that Union which was their strength and
shield until 'vilely cast away"
A subject now ftly commanding much atten-
tion in 'the Old Dominion" aud her promis-
ing young daughter, West Virginia, is the
opening OF direct railway communication be-
tween the Ohio river and Chesapeake Bay. A
good portion of the distance was long since
traversed by the Virginia Central, while much
grading has been done, but 1--WE believe) no
rails laid, on the CovingtOn and Ohio Railroad,
in West Virginia Acts have passed the Le-
gislatures OF both Virginia and West Virginia
providing for consolidation Of the existing
corporations and completion OF a through line
on the route up the Kanawhs and down the
James, which, since the day of George Wash
ington, has been regarded by Virginians as
not only the shortest and most direct but the
easiest and most natural channel Of artificial
communication between the Atlantic and the
Great Valley.
Negotiations looking to the legal consolida-
lion of the existing companies into one which
shall be charged with the completion and
operation of 1.-The Chesapeake and Ohio Rail-
road" are now in progress, and some diver
gences of views or OF interests have been deve-
loped. One party proposes to cut the knot by
the sword. General Stoneman, commanding
the military department which includes Vir-
Rinia, is solicited TO issue an edict, deciding
that the required consolidation shall be effected
in Q certain way and under certain aus
pices, and not otherwise. We presume
him incapable of such an abuse of authority,
but We shall nevertheless record our protest
against it. Civil authority was rightfully con-
ferred by Congress on the military arm for no
such purpose as that here contemplated, but
for the protection of personal rights and the
preserv alton of order and peace. We trust
all necessity for such authority will soon
cease; meantime, let it not be discredited by
glsriDg abuse. We understand that Northern
capital stands ready to supply the missing
links in the proposed and much needed chain
so soon as the differences now existing shall
be finally adjusted. Lsave business arrange
ments to business men, and let the military
power be satisf-d with doing it's whole duty
in protecting personal rights and preserving
the public peace.