Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-03-01
ICCMMUNICATED.


Tie T1MEs-l CONCLUDED. lat the close
Of the last century when rampant tanatlc'sm
awed France and amazed Europe, ii IS related
of member OF the Assembly, subsequently,
nromineut actor in that bloody drama that
aohast at the rapid march oi Revolution. lie
mentally debated what radical innovation he
could suggest to exceed the most daring Idea
Of sans culottisDl, and to mark him Us the
leader OF public sentiment. lie moved hat it
be publicly declared that "tterc be 40 Go@
The French tyraut has his imitators 10 our day
ond country. There are men among Us Who
would unblushingIy advance and uphold The
piiest principles, no matter how SubVc'Sivc II
law. order, or right, did they conceive that Ey
such advocacy, the waves OF revolution would
Iiit them to office and power. II History teach
rs any lesson with emphasis, 1t is that reform"
to be beneficial must be gradual. Spasmodc
alterations rctard the progress OF society, ard
men too lar in advance ct their age, arc as
concerns their generation az vaIueIess ~ those
welded to antique types. II aclultrd ny a
noble spirit OF improvement, their isolation l.;
grand and glorious. IT by petty spirit OF
self 5hnes5, then no one WILL regret shoula as
i often happens--the receding pillows u the
storm leave them on the high cliff they have
sought. a lest and by. word to their people.
Such are those who call upon us to exuit over
our changed condition--to hail the dawn ct 4
| new era If the desoation, poverty, and
| misery with which war has marked its course
through our land, be cause for Joy, |enHc &C.
| v7ten,us, We accept the situation. We owe
thanks neither to President nor Congress, dHd
| IRE nan none. Gratitude is more Sensc!es*
| than cayi!ling. II orc class has lis cant Ct
ancestors and the past, the other has It's cant
| Of Progress and Advancement. Progress,
| Advancement, Higher Law, these the spcclous
names under which they would disguise the
essential diabolism Of their plans. Ii you Oh
| iect to your ncighbor placing his hands IN your
pocket TO tighten your purse, you are Dandly
informed that it is quite old fashioned to or
pose such proceeding, and tie law which
! progress has introduced denies to you the
rir5t to possess to the exclusion OF your less
| fortunate neighbour. Ii you mildly dcprecate
| trcsspassiog on your property, the "Clvl Rights
| Bill, preamble and copious comments, arc read
| you il reply. Lie roi cstmort, VIZ" r. r"t. Ion
| esty and probity arc passed away. l.ct them
| yield to their successors
Those who now have control .! the State
| should be eclectic in their political creed
| Should wisely discard the etfete dogmas of the
past, but also mptuously # ject the poison.
| GUS theories of q restless Radcalism. Should
| endeavor to steer between the two extremes,
and il abused by both let them accept 1t rs un
erring proof Of tho wisdom OF their course1-
| The task is q difficult one and our present
| Legislature has grave and ardu0us duties TO
| perform. In addition to organizing the evil
| departmcnts OF the government, eccIlng othcerS
and supplying as far as authorized, the dct,i-
| encics of the Constitution, questions affecting
the material development oil tic State are to
| be considered The rapid exodus OF the me-
| rroes, and the necessity for immigration are
| matters, the discussion OF which must not be
| postponed When railroads shall unite the wa
| tcrs CT the Chesapeake and tho Ohio, when
our ports and harbors shall be connected with
| the great Northwest, when we are enabled by
| the adoption OF an etic!en: system o. labor to
| change sur cuubroul mode Of agriculture, de.
| velop our vast mineral resources, utilize cur
water power, then We may hope for prosperity.
| Then we may think OF political alliances. Ma
terial wealth and material wealth alone Will
give US political power, and cntltlc Us TO re.
speet at home and abroad. Let Virginia :o2k
| TO such interests. and her voice will be as 20
| tent a. Of DID, Our immediate future Is one
| which will severely test the intrinsic nObcOGSs
| Of Virginia character. The next few years
must be years Of prvation and trial. ard the
earlier we recognize the fact the sooner We will
pass the difficulty. We do not share the san
| guine hopes of those who predict instant anlc-
| lioralon from the readmS3on Of the State. -
| We cannot sec on what such expectations arc
based. We have often boosted the Virginia
character Let US see to it that it fail Us not
in our emergency. Let III strive to show that
holiness of spirit. magnanlmity, and IN" rein
cd graces which Virsinians rightly claim, ar.
| not Incompatible with patient labor ard ear
nest work. Virginia character will then shirc
with greater lu,trc, and Nirgiuai future
| history be as glorious as her past y health
and bon voyage TO The old SHIP as She unmoors
! for uut!icd waters Success to Virginia, Cur
Mother our Glory, our Pride
ARCITENEHs.
! ALEXANDRIA, Fcbruary 1870