Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1869-03-05
ABLE LETTER FROM HON. WYRD-
HAM ROBERTSON.
The Duty Of Virginia.

ana Probable Results.
To the Editor Of The Wig.
Ia this form, and In the same channel
which, in past times, have occasionally
used to communicate with my fellow iti-
Zens, | desire, with your permission, to now
address them briefly on ~ome matters which
greatly concern their welfare, aud 10 which
L have been voluntary actor. Having
through somewhat extended period Of
public service experienced q gratifying
share of their confidence, generously be
slowed, land, SO far as could know, never
withdrawn,1 and more especially that
and through all their darkest hours--nf the
important and enlightened constituency OF
Richmond, | know that they will listen with
cAudor, whether assentiRgy or not, to the
views | shall submit As those Of one, who,
trust, they believe never Intentionally
betrayed either their interests or their honor.
Moved only by the sense Of a great public
and private danger, moment,y Impe nding
he most vital aud appalling, IN my belief,
that ever yet Threatened any peope, lately
met and conferred with some of the most
trusted of our fellow -citizens, suddenly
called together At Richmond BY few pat
rIOtic gentlemen of Augusts, rs to the
course that seemed btsI 10 pursue in 80
great an emergency. There were fewer AS
semb1ei than could have wished, and |
missed mony should have beeo glad to
meet. But heard the voice, thought, of a
suffering country 10 the cali thar was made,
and little regarded, so far as | was person.
ally concerned, the number that was pres
eDi, or the number that was absent. felt
only that the State was in danger, and ell
fortunes, its people, land / among them
and all they lovet or valued aud | stopped
neither 10 count numbers, nor consider who
were there, or who away. If | had heen
alone, with my sense uf the peril, and my
convictions of the wsy OF safetv-and could
have hoy unsided, to secure success |
wOuid n ne the less, under the urgency OF
the circumstances, have entered on he un-
dertak'ng. When the ship is in danger the
humblest seaman may sd wise, without arro-
gance or assumption, to man the pumps
nay more, should, would, indeed, he even
criminal, il he aid rot, seeing there tie
only hope Of safety a, - them, aud work
them himself, let who might staBd by, OF
who would, oppose. have, equally with
any other man, CO in'ry, fam |, Aud prop
erty to save, aud my now loot liberties, II |
can, to ret ieve-and though earrestiy, from
the bottom OF my heart, desiring that ca
operation wmch il 80 important, perhsp.
indispensable, to success, L bcne the lese
shall pursue what conceive to he the pain
of duty, in ~ perilnus coujnnctnre, deeply
Iamenting, indeed, bat beyond that, regard
less alike Of opposition OF criticism. trust
and those With whom | am acting will not
be held presumptuous for taking, under
circumstances Of such pressing emerge ncy,
tho course we did, aud Invoking the help
aud Occurrence of our fellow c tiZons. II
we be, no less are they who impesch us, for,
whether RECOMMENDING non action, or a
different action from ours, they equally
with US assume TO advise the people. But
there is no presumption In any. Etch
couDsels aad does what he thinks most ex'
pedient to be done. IL IL for the people "a
Judge whose counsels are the wisest, AID
whose course is best.
The danger seemed imminent, and if Ia
be averted at all, demanded instant action.
What Was tue danger
There hung over us there vet hangs over
Unsupported on a breath, a bolt, charged
with strife and all the irecest passions ol
man-forged in the workshop OF Cupidity
aud Rapine--which, falling, devotes US aud
he State to anarchy, blood AMI ruin.
allude, of course, 10 the Understood C0nsti-
Iution-Rn instrument VIII Oh, securing sui
rsge and exclusive eligibility 10 all the
offices of the State, including the functions
even Of Jurors, TO the colored population
aud few affiliated, aud, in many cases
mercenary whites, virtually G YES them, he.
sides, most extensive powers Of taxation
over the white race; wholly disfranchi.e'
great numbers Of the latter; while 10 The
rest IL gives but delu>ive suffrage, barret
Of power, aud q mOckery Of rights, because
without eff rctive protection; which, further
lnfrnges the policy and the power asserted
for itself by Congress 10 its Reconstruction
| aud in N ut fhnga Also of the nHfIDlt
of the United States themselves, as declared
and exercised by them in TIE 4Ih amend
ment to the Constitution and which ex
pres>ly violates that principle Of politics
equality, 10 protect which from violation
was the very purpose Congress had In vie"
in roserving the right Of rejecting any Con-
stitutiOn which did n II SECURE it. do no
desire 10 use strained language, but ca'
only regard such Gfgovernment a. leg"iihe'
tyranny without parallel in history-de
stroyirg the semblsnce even ot polluc4
liberty-endangerlng civil liberty ana ih'
rights of prup-rt,, and rendering even ul'
it.elf Insecure; and hence, moi mercy ID
consistent With the prosperity aud pr gresS
bat with the sce'al order and peace IT th'
State.
Nor wonM the 81 cts OF sneh 2, Vern
ment be confined 10 the State. but oil Wo'
broader oOpinsiors aud disorders " con
NOT but entail on other c"mmuulieS ah'
governments, not only prsiudicislly ahee'
ing their posieriiy, but shaking the lound
tions OF their fnancial power, aud 2 ss'o''
even, eventually, the pillars OF the Fede'a
tabr,c its, II, IL Is not my pnrpo'e 70 spesN
as being the more appropriate province
perhaps, Of others to weigh auu 10 pom
out. ,.ois
A.rSars We are not left to speculation o