The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1870-03-10
'sT'he SitnatiGu."

marks upon some of the wars more impor-
tapt results among our Southern people and
ono of the effects CT that war being some
what to circumscribe that catholic interest
Which old Virginians once took in National
affairs, we make no reconnaissance to day be-
yond the latest boundary Of our Common
wealth, nor trench at all upon debatab!e
ground. ... 1
In fact we begin to think, with Rasselas Of
old, when he had gained experience, that
our own little Valley is long enough and
broad enough to give full scope to our affec-
tions, and to feel like him some diminution
of our interest in what lies beyond the blue
hills around us. 9a eif -a r"f
Well, then, mentally reviewing the events
of the past few years, and contemplating the
condition in which we find ourselves to-day,
what reason have we Virginians Of the Valley
to bewail the past? Just come to quiet an
chorage after tossing about so long, helpless
!, waif, upon the shifting currents of National
politics just escaped from worse than
Egyptian bondage, and left comparatively
free to shape for ourselves civil government,
We yet hear on every hand complaint Of evils,
!. real and imaginary, past, present, and to
come from certain gentlemen among us,
whose disconnected murmuripgs remind us
always of that character Of Horace -
I DHcilis, querulus las,dator ,temporis acti.
Now old memories will sometimes sadden
the cheeriest of us all when thethought of our
: bravest and our best, sacrificed in the strug
gle, comes over us at times like that music
described by Qssian, But we have no patti
ence with these perpetual Jeremiads. We
think it best to shake hands with the past
and look before US. And to those differently
inclined, we would say, that we see no reason
why our achievements in the FUTURE though
on different fields, should not eclipse our
former glories. We see no reason why young
men, especially, should exchange, for homes
in the Southern or Western States, region
which for combined fertility of SOIL salubrity
of climate, convenience to markets, and socl-
al and educational advantages. is unsurpasss
ed upon this continent, The necessity which
drove so many of them from our midst, to
seek their livelihood insections less impover-
ished, was one Of the results Of the war
which we have most regretted. Now is the
time for them to return, and build up homes
and names for themselves in the land Of their
forefathers. ,-A' '
IA We have every reason to believe that Vir-
ginia is just entering upon career of pros
perity, unprecedented in her history Those
Cassandras in breaches of whom we spoke.
are principally, if not exclusively, found
among the class called 'Loafers" Their
gloomy views are unnoticed beyond their
street corner gatherings. The fact is that
the condition Of things here is more hopeful
just now, than At any time since the war
AS to the tendancy of the 'NationaP Gov
eminent, We do not propose TO speak. But
the temper Of the Congressional majority to-
wards us has manifestly improved, as witness
the recent debates and votesupon the subject
of disabilities. The reaction has set in
A Conservative policy is gradually gaining
ascendancy in the Northern mind, and no
sooner will it begipto find expression at the
polls. than these same ours who have been
barking at our heels, will be fawning upon US
The Supreme Court has given evidence Of
its disposition to return to, and enfore the
principles Of the Constitution. The recent
confirmation Of Judge Strong as Associate
Justice, adds strength to that inclination -
Returning confidence in the currency of the
country will infuse new life into the veins of
commerce, ard give stimulus to business en-
terprise. of every sort. a steady tide of i'm
grafton has set in, and, properly managed,
it. may be diverted from it's usual destinations
in the far west and we may reap the benefits
Of their energy and industry. As the more
worthless of our negro population is drifting
of, I'VE may we'll afford to encourage their
coming .s'5s
- -
4; There is no section of this country, North
South East or West, which offers more in !
ducements tolsuch settlers which is itself
more favored by kind Providence, than. our
own Valley of Virginia. We are no. longer
subject to the double tyranny of Radical
oligarchy and their military understrappers.
We have Government Of our own. And
that Government being an inexhaustible
theme for our grumblers, let US see whether
it is really SO bad as represented y+5as 4e
Certainly no other State among the '';re-
constructed has been equally fortunate. -.
As to cur Executive head, it seems to us that
he is the sigLt nan in the right place. His
administrative capacity is undoubted, and his
interests are thoroughly identified with our own
He is untrammelled by old party preiudices,
and awake to. the real issues Of the day. Our
Legislators are men Of our own selection,
and we see, as yet, no ground of complaint
in thatquarter. A work SO important as our
civil reorganization shouldl be deliberately