Norfolk day book. [volume] (Norfolk and Portsmouth Va.) 1868-1880, 1869-05-03
MONDAY MORNING, May 8, 1869.
SPIRIT OF THE PRESS.

10 see lno comments Ol SOIuo VI tue
prominent presses of the>State upon the
present condition of the canvass, and
surrender our space to-day to few ex-
tracts from them which indicate the
temper likely to prevail among the peo-
pie:
Lynchburg News. (Col. Withers.)
We would say and do nothing which
may animate and encourage our enemies
or dishearten and depress our friends,
beyond what our duty as public jour-
palist demands. But we would deem
ourselves culpable, did we, with our
convictions, join in the fervid predic~
tions of easy triumph in which some of
our jubilant journals indulge. The best
intelligence we can command, and the
soundest opinion we can form, alike in
dictate that if we succeed in defeating
even the most obnoxious features Of the
Underwood Constitution, and in pre-
serving Virginia from the ruin involved
in the election of Wells, such result is
only possible at the cost of unceasing
labor and untiring zeal. Did we be-
lieve with some of our sanguine friends,
that the Walker ticket and the expur-
gated Constitution will triumph by an
hundred thousand majority, we should
distrust and doubt the wisdom of max
ing public the expectation, for such pre-
dictions tend less to paralyze our oppo-
nents than our friends. An unground-
ed feeling of security begets indiffer-
ence to threatened danger, and is apt
to end in disaster, but when we stand
in the presence Of danger. and recog-
nizs to the fullest extent the peril of
the hour, we are apt to rise to the ne
cessities of the situation, and thus pluck
success from the very jaws Of disaster.
From Richmond Dispatch.
We have not doubt that the gen
tlemen of the recent Convention who OPP
posed the latest movement"-which
is the only one open to us whereby to
restore the State and free the white cit
izens-have in good faith surrendered
their objections and determined to sup
port the cause. Governor Smith will
contribute his experience and ability
the work of restoration as indicated by
the Convention, and Messrs. John Goode
and James Barbour will, we doubt not,
follow his example. 1t is time that
demands unity and cooperation with
all our might and soul In times of
profound peace AID sinoothly-howing
prosperity partisans sacrificed their in
dividual opinions for the common party
cause. If such concession was proper
and usual then, how much more is it
proper now in the extremity OF the
State ? Who will at such time waste
his strength and influence by impracti-
cable dognatism and egotistical self
consequence ? Such man would not
deserve the name Of Virginian.
A very determined Virginian, who is
we'll known for decided vein of arbi-
trariness which runs though his charac-
ter, made on Wednesday the striking
declaration that"it is better to be united
than right" This is strong represent
tation of the importance Of harmony for
success. A triumph will give the pow
er to correct an error in the progress of
the struggle; but defeat gives not the
power to carry on just principles nor to
correct erroneous theories
The Importance of being united now
cannot be exaggerated. He is poor
pa triot indeed who cannot surrender his
opinions and that a depraved section
which cannot waive its local interests
for the salvation Of the Com monwealth.
From the Lynchburg Virginian.
This action leaves the fight between
Wells and Walker. Between them there
can be no hesitation as to which the Cen
party should support. The one
is the ilnpersonation of all that is hateful
to the people of Virginia; the other from
what We eau learn of him, is a fair mind
ed, liberal hearted and honorable man
one in whose hands the best interests of
Virginia will be safe. Those who know
him best speak in high terms of his per-
sonal qualities, his public spirit, and the
tolerance of his political views. He is
largely identified in business relations
with Virginia, and therefore her welfare |
is his welfare.
We have already had to do many |
,hlpgs in the work of reconstruction that |
we're distasteful, and we will have to do
many more. This thing OF supporting |
he Walker ticket is one of them, but
We shall do it nevertheless. We shall do
earnestly, and use our best efforts to
ecure his election. We sincerely believe
: is the. best that can be done for Vir-