Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1869-01-29
Re1lIn.


IL There be one subject on which we
had hoped we were well understood it
is the one alluded to in the above letter
To have been more explicit would have
been to assume the special task of vindi-
eating the exalted and knightly character
of Mr. Davis.So we'll we have felt assured
of his final fame among those who are
brave and generous that we are compell
ed to regard some of our friends as over
sensitive with regard TO the mention of
his name. We will not now for a mo-
ment admit that we have done aught
tLan'make perfectly legitimate allusion
TO u public matter ip which he was the
most conspicuous actor In criticisiug
his public measures the able and caus-
tic Daniel used the whole power of that
journal which together with the very
organ of the ex!President, now in the
strength Of united prestige, leads the
opposion to peace aud come 8 on in Vir-
GINA For four years of herculean ex-
ertion, ending in bloody tears Mr..
Davis was the chivalrous and courtly
leader of the cause which enlisted all Of
our synlpathies Never did the Editors
of this paper, by thought, word or deed,
sin against that beautiful white banner
with its starry field and red saltier,
which during our mighty struggle,
plead for the favor of Heaven and dcfied
the rage of the enemy. On the farm
and in the field, under arrest and in
prison, at home and in camp, in triumph
and in disaster, in prayer aud in battle,
the hottest aspirations of our hearts
were given to its devoted cause and the
proud chieftain who lead it, Palsied be
the southern hand whose pen would
now dishonOr that name The dumbness
of Zacharah paralize the tongue which
would now defame it. Nay, we think
the curses of a people great, yet in their
captivity and Iuin, are pardonable aud
the scorn of the victors, vrtuous for the
excresent author of the 6 Lost Gauss"
whose chief claim to distinction lies in
his vulgar assault upon it. There seems
to be tardy and partial phase of that
enlightened Judgment which has already
damned the brutal Stauution, who iron
ed r.IDavs in Fort Monroe aud permits
9he name of his calumDiator to violate
the popular heart and haunt deiiantly
in the columns of our respectable journ'
ais. But we found no friend in tbs
swide wsrld, and it pleased the God o.
Heaven that we should have no ,aasEG
aud place amoug the natlons of the earth
The days of our heroism were at length
numberad. The bright era of our strug
gle closed. The question now arises
whether it be not our duty to make o1t
more effort at reconciliation. The peo'
pie of Virginia are divided as to the
proper course to be pursued. AT all
events let passion be allayed. Let u'
set the grand example Of patience and
rfortitudo under aGllictions that are inev.
liable. Let the past teach its lessons
whether those lessons touch The policy
of Mr.. Davis or our individual selves. Ii
acquires a brave heart to coneede facts
against convictions Of right but il il
yet unproven whether this people who
now suffer, and yet live, cannot demon
,strate to generations lying between u;
and the millennium that they are greater
though Defeated, than that array of pride
and power which gathering 10 itself tbs
licensious children of Europe poured
down in mighty numbers on our sunny
plains aud sacked our cities.