Daily Kennebec journal., 1870-08-03
LETTER FROM VIRGINIA.
To the Editor of the Journal:

RICHMOND, Va, 7th mo-, Goth, 1870. s
b have just been enjoying rich treat in pc
rusing the items of interest in your excellent
paper of this week. You speak of the ther-
mometer being l00o in the shade in Maine;
think it has hardly reached that point here,
although it has been extremely hot for some
time, probably ranging from SIS to 95 legreos
in the shade. 1t stands at Sc by my side at
the present moment, with fine breeze to
render the air very desirable for resp ration.
The political atmosphere here is still emit
ting lis mephitic vapors all over the Sta.e, and
especially in this city. The decision of Judge
Guizon in our municipal contest, is ann nalous
to the last degree. In short IT is Just this: the
democratic candidates whose places were not
contested are declared legally elected; in
other respects the election is declared null
and void, and new election must be held
but the present incumbents, being democrats
having dishonesty received the certificates of
election and been sworn in, are to continue to
enjoy their plumber till another election is
held. Here is where the joke comes in,-they
have no idea of calling new election, but
having stolen all of the offices from Mayor
down to a minority of the council are deter
mined to hold on in spite of all opposition.
This is the work of the wicked democrats in
this city, and in the State they have shown
themselves equally valorous in stealing the
places of power and profit.
The Legislature passed law putting all
township officers under heavy bonds for the
faithful performance OF their duties, even
where no money is to be handled and the con-
ditions of the bill are. in of failure to give
the required bonds, within very short time,
their faithful democratic Governor is to APP
point to 6ll the declared vacancy, The freed
men and those protesting the republican faith.
are generally poor and the democrats are
pledged not to aid them in giving the required
bonds, hence the result is as was intended,
they can not hold the offices to which they
were fairly elected. This is big scheme and
it rk wonders for the hungry, dishonest
democrats of Virginia. The item in your
paper is literally true that they are even now
hopeful of ''Southe,n Mdepsndenee." We
have many indications that these hopes are in
creasing yeiy fast; but feel sure that they
are doomed to disappointment and the sooner
they quiet yield to the changed condition of
affairs the better it will be for them. In this
connection feel bound to say that it is heart
now practised upon the poor ignorant freed
men of this State by their former owners but
their race is destined to be short in this, for
many are already learn; ng to leave them and
thus they are compelled to treat their help
better, OF go without.
jeff. Davis is now in this city and the morn
ing papers chronicle the fact by emphasizing
their items thus: Hon. Elk President Davis
arrived on the Danville train last night; he is
looking very nicely and viii stop few day.
TO greet his many friends inthis city" Thus
he is lonizcd and secession sentiment is popu-
lar. The Prophet asks: Can the l1thopeAn
change his skin, or the leopard hi spots p
he adds 'then may ye also do good, .hal are
accustomed TO do evil"
One word in relation to school into fcst then
| will close. The Bureau established by the
government, to aid this labor, has closed
its work with last month, and charitable asso-
Citations are obliged to act in what they do
without this great auxiliary to their labors,
but the freedmen are rejoicing in raising good
crops this year, ard they manifest Il deeper
interest in the education Of their children,
willingly doing what they can, in most in
stances, to secure schools among them. We
h w a large field of country labor in which
we propose to employ staff Of faithful teach
ers the coming winter. The schools are doing
a work that will not stop but still move on till
it works the entire freedom Of the formerly
ensIaved Of our land. With kind considrra-
ton remain Your sincere friend,
6M SAMUEL II. JONES.