The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1870-02-03
The Act Accomplished.

President Grant, Wednesday,
signed the bill admitting Virginia
to representation in Congress, and
now it only remains for us to organ
ize our own Government to be once
more State governed, at least at
home, by men of it's own choice.
Under what exact relations to the
Federal Government and the States
this restoration is made, time must
develope. At this immediate time
we know the opinions ofcertain men,
bers of Congress but they are
worth not as much as those Of thou
sands Of intelligent private citizens.
We know, furthermore, that while
Congress at this time has an extrava-
CANT idea of the powers of the legis-
lative department of the Federal
Government, yet even this Congress
is undergoing a change. 1t will not
do now what it would have done two
years slnce-it will not do next year
what it would probably do now. So
that we must wait until the acrimo-
NOUS feelings engendered by civil
strife subsidc before We can under
stand what shape the political insti-
tutions of this Union will assume for
the next cycle in our history.
Very powerful agencies but partial
ly developed arc to display them
selves with surprising vigor in the
political arena. We may look for q
change in some sort in principle, and
very decided change in the seat of
power and the dispositions of power
in the Union. We arc convinced that
young giant will appear in the are
ma who will be neither fanatical, nor
bigotcd, nor malignant He will be
conscious Of his power, and free from
jealousy or suspicion. He will have
the generosity of youth and the dig
nifty of strength. He will produce a
great revolution and introduce u new
era for the republic. From him we
have nothing to fear, and under his
power the republic will find its great
est prosperity and the administra-
ton ofpublic affairs be directed by
justice and impartiality.
Whilst awaiting tho advent Of this
era we should be patient and discreet.
The worst things now for us are pas
sion and invective. They are now
but faulty and imbecility. We be-
hold the fruit growing upon the Wig
orous branches; let us but wait, and
we may quietly and securely pluck it
and enjoy ii when it is ripe, when
the sun has tinged with golden hues
its outer skin, andtimc has mellowcd
its flesh and stored its interior with
rich juices.
Oh, let us be calm and wise. Moth
ing can delay or mar this delightful
prospect but passion. Partisanary
and lust for Office, under the specious
garb of patriotism and love Of liberty,
may rush into the arena at this witch
ing time Of maturation OF the proyi-
dental events which are to make Il
nation happy and criminally mar
them. But nothing else can inter
rupt their beautiful mechanism, their
inscrutible processes. "Oh Liberty,
what crimes have not been commit
ted in thy namc!'
We imploro the people cf Virginia
to possess their souls in resolution
and calmness. They have in store
for themselves II grand victory and
glorious future. Let them beware of
the politicians. Let them take their
affairs into their own hands and take
care OF their local welfare. avoiding
all unnecessary excitement and all
vain lamentations over things not to
be mended.'
We speak from the inmost recess
es of heart never devoted to any
personal or party interests hostile to
the true interests Of the people and
the dear State of Virginia. We feel
only for them; aud we tel our fellow
citizens that this is the time for the
exercise of their noblest virtues. Pa
tiencc, constancy, courage, calmncss.
A mistake now will entail years Of
Avoid paytisanry-
avoid passion avoid folly. Select
the most active and sensible men,
and avoid the passionate declaimer
and the bitter partisan. Look only