Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-02-06
ALEXANDRIA.


The Commonwealth of Virginia.
We givet the following extract from the recent
speech of Mr.. McCreery, of KY. delivered IN the
Senate--a speech which at once placed him II
the front rank of that body, and which at
tractea so much attention when it was made
and since:
''Of the situation of the Southern people
know little from actual observation. Since the
war have been no further South than Cor
louisville, in Virginia. Manassas, which ia:
iisen from the ashes, reminds Us OF the opening
scene in the civil strife passed Cedar Noun
tain, or Slaughter's Mountain, as the people
of the country call it, in whose shade Jackson
marshaIed his forces, and from whose summit
swept the charge that never tailed OF victory
[ crossed the Rapidan, where Grant and Lee,
the great masters of military science, Tor seven
long months confronted each other from OPP
posing banks. bitches and earthworks may
DO seen on all sides, but where are the farms'
the orchards, and the gardens, the corn, the
fruit and the flowers? These rich valleys, like
Western prairies. spread out before you, but nc
fence Obstructs the view, and no sound breaks
the solemn silence that reigns around. There
remain, however, some evidences OF banlshed
civilization. Now and then o single chimney,
past 1t bears no lettered scroll; but still II
speaks of happiness and home. Its warmth
has been comfort to age, and sparkling eyes
and rudy faces have reflected its light. But
the scene was changed. The thunder cloud OF
war drew near and more near until Its angry
flashes gave fearful warning OF approaching
doom. The mother kneels at the family altar,
invokes the blessing OF Eljah's God, and goes
forth with her children fugitive In the land.
Everything that will burn is given to the
flames, and the chimney stands as landmark,
a starting point for the surveyor 10 his work OF
Ie-establishing metes and boundary lines.
''Other portions OF Virginia may have sui
Tered less, but | honestly believe that the peo-
pie of that State are not prepared Tor specie
payments and that any great contraction OF the
currencv would involve them in ruin. They
could endure a gentle imitation, but they will
scarcely survive further contraction. l know
not how others may feel, but for my single
self confess to a weakness for the old Com
monwealth of Virginia. If she has sinned In
the sight OF heaven, heaven and earth have
witnessed the terrible retrlbutlon. When we
speak of Virginia the long past rises before US,
and we are associated with the heroes, the
statesmen, and the philosophers Of other days.
The sword of her Washington hangs In the
Patent Office, and there, too, Is his camp and
camp furniture, even down to his pewter plates,
held as the sacred memorial of a patriotism
which endured all things for his country's sake.
Jefferson and the Declaration. and Madison
and the Constitution, the eloquence OF Henry,
The learning of Marshall, all protest against the
divorce which sewers the bonds Of Union and
deRrades Virginia from her position OF equality
in the family of States. Dismemtered and dl-
,iied, spurned and insulted, suffering and
bleeding, the irail and tottering emblem of her
former self, IT we cannot alleviate, let US do
nothing to increase the calamities which over
whelm her already. Neither the vicissitudes
through which she has passed, nor the furnace
Of affection in which she walks at present, have
ever been able TO drive her from her honor. -
II it is believed that she can be driven or per-
suaded to profession of the Radical creed, 1t
is a mistake she will live and die In the faith
that has been handed down from the fathers. "
We are told that when this beautiful episode
in Mr. McCreerys speech was uttered, many
moistened eyes showed how the eloquent
words thrilled through those who heard them
Some Virginians who were present "wept as
women weep whose hearts are touched.
The Committee on Foreign Affairs of the
House OF Representatives had an informal meet
ing yesterday TO hear propositions relating to
the annexation of San Domingo. now being
made to our Government by President Baez,
by the Dominican Envoy. There wes no action
taken. The conditions submitted by President
Baez are that the u. s. shall assume the &C,
erued and current Indebtedness ofthe Republic,
occupy it's territory, aud establish there State
Territorial Government, republican in form,
with ultimate expectation Of admission as a
State The Indebtedness is believed 10 be
about $l5000000.
We agree with the National lnteligencer, 10
this-tha, the South ought to be deemed
hereafter a member of the Union-not to be
kept down. worried. reconstructed" and be-