The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-08-30

The Line Of Disaster.

.o,fdencc who cannot reflect her opinions,
and. indeed, who are not TO be trusted.
They consist of immigrants whom we do
not know, whose conduct here has not en-
titled them TO our respect or confidence,
who have exhibited no such capabiiity as
would under any circumstances make them
worthy to be trusted with responsible du-
ties, and who, we have every reason to be-
Eeve. were considered in their native To-
cality inferior men, and not worthy
Of promotion and trust there. To
these we add the native Virginians
who shirked duty--who were opposed TO
exposing themselves to danger, and fought
on neither side. How can any man sup
pose the government of such men would be
agreeable to q high-mindcd and sincere
people How can any man suppose that
government entrusted to such men could
command the respect and confidence OF men
could invite capitalists to come amongst
us and invest their moncy-could assure
enterprise that it might embark with safety
in its undertakings, on the ground that
the government would be so administered
MS 10 ccnsure the greatest amount CT
prudence, forecast, and craftsmanship
Il will be claimed, and VIC admit it, that
there we're men in the South who were upon
principle opposed to the war, and so CONT
nued during the war, Notwithstanding some
OF them even took part in the war under the
orders Of Virginia, and others never falledto
perform the Offices OF charity and hum anity
in giving food to the hungry soldier, and
throwing over his naked body garments to
shield him from the tempest and the frost.
General WlCRHAM was one, and he is now
the most earnest opponent OF the test-oath.
At the order of his State he entered the
nrmy and fought for the South, and re-
ceived his wound in her cause. FRANKLIN
STEARNS was another. He consistently OPP
posed the war. He was for while impri-
soned with the late Mr.. Boris; but how many
southern soldiers can attest that TO FRANKLIN
SrEARNs they were indebted for foul when
they were hungry, for clothes when they
were naked. and for shoes to encasc their
bleeding feet ! And where is FRANKLIN
STEARNs? He is opposed to the iron-clad
oath. He protests against its legality; he
protests against its necessity. lie knows
the ncoplc with whom lie has lived for near
forty years, and he knows that their word
is as good as their oath ; and that when
~. ~ # NJ,
United States they could he relied upon III
any position as faithful to the degree of
Tic highest tests to which humanity can be
subjected.
These are representative men. Nor should
VIC forget to add Judge RIrEs to the list.
lie is opposed to the application Of the test
cath; he, too, thinks it uncalled for by the
law. He, too, knows that the people he was
born and reared amongst arc to be trusted.
And SO may we place that noble citizen j.
Il. CRENsHAw, and others. So that we have
uu the side Of libcrality-on thcsside of
Justicc--thc very best part Of the men who
opposed secession and opposed the war.
Many of them cannot take the iron-clad
oath because they gave bit of bread,
cup of water, or a garment, to the suffering
Confederate soldier; but they never sur
rendered their opinions, and they deserve
the respect of mankind. t.-
Now, then, we find the proscriptiye Re-
publican party, which now seeks power
here, separated from its better part upon
the question of justice and law-rpon the
question of the faith that is to be put in
these Virginia people, who bear no faint in
any issue of honor or fealty. This better part
is with the true people and the iberalists
on the present issues, and the question pre-
sents itself, Is it wise, is ii safe, to trust
the Government to the men from whom this
better part is taken-to men who have no
thing to commend them to public conf
dence, and who can only be put in power
by altogether distrusting the body of the
people and placing upon them an ignominy,
when in republic it is presumed that
they are the source of power and the life
Of government There could be no greater
error. The people of Virginia are as faith
tul this day to the Government, Constitu-
ton, and laws, as any people within the
limits of the Republic. 10 distrust them
is a great outrage of justice, great breach
of republicanism, destruction Of conf
dence, disturbance of order-tends to en-
gender bad passions, to perpetuate discon-
tent, and slacken the bonds Of union
between the States.
This is the line of disaster. win the
Government pursue it? We believe not.
The people Of Virginia are true. The idea
that they and their Government are to be
handed over to creatures with whom they
have no sympathy, and in whom they place
no, faith, is appalling. 1t would be Il spe-
ces of terrorism, as well as tyranny, which
would expel from the State all faith in the
Government, and what must follow in refer
ence to the affections of the people, the
domestic interests, and the enterprise of
the country, every man may see for him
self.
The people must be trustcd-ou Govern
ment rests upon their wishes and opinions.
The Federal Government cannot depart
from this principle until it becomes tho
roughly imperial, and then it will control
all alike. Massachusetts will be governed
precisely as Virginia is. But until that
time Virginia must be treated as Massa-
chusetts is. Her people arc just as true