The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-09-29
From the Petersburg Index.
Nulla EcstiSia Retrorgurn.

A certain numbcr--not 4 great MANY.
howeyer-of our Virginia people seem to
be laboring under the deluson chat the
State has been restored to the Union; that
the disabilities Of all persons have been
suspended: that the ''immortal j. n. has
succeeded in removing the pressue and lift
ing the yeil"; that the political millennium
IS upon US; @ that the year Of jubilee has
come; and that nothing remains to us
! Joyful but to take the reins, apply the
whip, and drive wnithcrsocver we please.
a great mistake One which is 10 be de-
plored, not only for the sake Of those in-
dulging in it, but also on account of the
| general interests Of the State.
Why conceded we the bitterly-conteEted
question Of the power Of Congress to re-
| store the seeding States under the laws of
special reconstruction acts? Why submitted
| this people to the dreaded theoretical re-
qulrementswhich prescribed negro suffrage?
Why, by their votes, did u majority or Nir-
glnianS ratify the constitution Of Under
| woods crew, and voluntarily pledge them
selves to an honest observance Of its cardi-
nal requirements?
Why? Ye Godsl Can sensible men chat
fer rs to the reason Cur as to the prospective
motive?
w-citiZens, all progrcssivcs, huggcrs
OF old times, inhabitants of the States Rights
ark, paddlers in Andrew Johnson's "light
canoe" soi-dtsdnt party leaders, former of
Observation-Disclosures, wherever and who
ever you are, we appeal TO you: Is not this
statement OF the case trurY
Democracy was abandoI:ed 2 white mans
party was repudiated. Colonel Withers was
withdrawn IS the anti-recoL struction candi-
date, and Mr.. Walker, the nominee Of the
Conservative element Of Vii ginia Republi-
canism, was supported-for what:
ivaf
the fact that to rcSdmission of Virginia
compliance with the requirements Of the
dominant party was Necessary and also be-
cause the popular reason admitted that re-
admission Was an alternative for State and
Individual ruin.
Restoration was the objective point Of the
campaign, whicE, begun in the appointment
Of the "C0mChittec Of Nine" and which
eliminated ON the 9Th of July in signal de-
feat, horse, foot, and dragons, of Wells
and his assocTates-thc carpet-bGggcrs, seal
awa9s, adyerturers, and Speculators-Who
had threatened Virginia with the direst OF
all fates-their supremacy.
So far, the idea Of submission to necessity
and resistance to local oppression has pre-
vailed. Why nip the promising harvest in
the bud? If the thing were worth doing,
it were worth doing well. Virginia is not
yet an integral, coSqual part OF the Union,
though the primary steps to her attainment
of that position have been successfully
taken. Why make spasmodic, sentimental
movement now which may mar ell the good
that has been done. and neutrali22 every
object for which sa:rilicc and labor have
been given!
Let others speak for themselves. This
paper, recognizing long mouths ago 4 few
leading facts, was committed to q line OF
policy which, through surrender, promised
peace. Honestly and honoraby we sub
scribed to the terms Of capitulatior, and,
SO far, honestly and he lorably the oppoate
| contracting pt.rty has observed its oblisa--
ti0ns. NOW, we mean to play q fair hand
throughout. If the restoration of Virginia
was not the end aimed at, and if that end
does not warrant n continuance Of the
course by which we have been so far tri-
unrhant, then had we better never have
inaugurG.ted 4 (what under such Circunl-
stances would be) prctence ci submission.
! Let the Bourbons who, in times OF trial,
deserted or failed to fight for their thrones
pirate Of honor rs they will let them wake
| to the past and nod to the present as they
may we deem this thing true and indispu-
table-that the integrity and practical sense
Of the people Of Virginia is pledged to the
| obtention Of reconstruction 6y Gny means
iChtch snr0!ce no departure from the plat
| form, on icllIch Governor Walker ards elected.
We trust that the members elect of the
coming Legislature appreciate this truth
| they were chosen to represent the acqui-
csccncc of the people il tho purposes and
the principles which Governor Walker pro-
nounced. They represent no party, no sen
timent, no grave, no candidate for the United
States Senate, no committee-thcy are the
exponents Of the one hundred and twenty
thousand voters Of Virginia who placed Gill
bert c. Walker in the chair of Thomas Je!-
ferson. They go TO Richmond to perfect
and complete an effort for the rehabilitation
of this State with sovereign authority and
civil functions, OF its people with rightful
liberty and equal relations with their fel-
low-countrymen. Whatever they do, to be
in the line Of duty, must have that object.
Forgetting that, they forswear their con-
stituents and neglect their obligations.
The practical application Of these plain
words to the approaching crisis cannot be
misunderstood. The Legislature must, in
letter and in spirit, Joilo0 the direction Of
the courses Just closed, or the 6ml!erS otH
haze GGlLJe2 ia UdIn.