Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-06-03
ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE
Speed, OF Gov. Vance. OF n 4.

The following is the address of Ex-Governor
Vance. of \. e.. to the Northern excursion
Marty. who lately visited the State Of North
Carolina.
leotl.u,cu Of Hu. -ED,ti,,1n Press: When |
say TO YOU, that am happy to welcome you al!
here to day, [ do not use the mere forms OF
,.nnrtasy but speak the words Of sincerely aud
truth. 1t is happy idea that has suggested
this trip 1t is said in Scripture. when the
uuestion was asked, can any thing good come
ont of Nazareth? Philip said, Come ana see
It is a happy thing for us that this corps OF
the conductors Of the public press the fourth
state of the realm. acknowledged in times ot
civilization and liberty to possess greater pow,
,rs for good or evil than any other lnStltu,,
tion in the land shall see for themselves and
report accurately to their thousands OF readers
what they saw and heard In North tarollha'
This occasion is also one OF greater importance,
for the reason that it is the first time since the
war that we have received 4 visit OF courtesy
and friendship from the people OF the North.
1t is what the newspapers say OF ailahulg-
ham ; platform, new departure Hereto
fore. we have been visited only by armed sol
iierS. This kind and courteous appeal to our
better feelings will not be without Its fruits.
We appreciate it highly, and it will have tar
.reater influence in reconciling the country
than al the armies and all the pains and pen
:,lties which can be imposed upon Us. Ii we
were not more susceptible to Kindness and con
citation than to force. We would not be worthy
Of the name of freemen North Carolina has
Deen singled out for criticism ior what reason
Heaven only knows in an especial manner,
within the last twelve months She has Away
heretofore been considered one Of the most or
derly and law abiding Of all Of the Southern
States. The misfortune is that the exigences
Of party politics have rendered it necessary that
We should wash our dirty linen in public.
From the pulpit, the press, the bench-trom
the stump and the Executive has gone forth
exaggerated accounts Of every offence COM
mitted against the law in the State, and each Of
them has been attributed to partisan purposes
From these sources the impression has gone
forth that we are band Of lawless barbarians
Where are the communities where there are
no violations of law? 1t is certainly not New
York, nor Pennsylvania nor New Jersey. 1t
is not in America. -,
There may be communities where the civil
and political rights of all citizens are undlstur-
bed: there doubtless will be time when hal
cvon peace will brood ever the whole land, and
there will be none to molest or make afraid;
but it will not be before the millennlal trump
sounds. Now, sirs, man cannot 60 out anu
rob his neighbor's henroost in peace, or maui
his enemy in old fashioned style without being
accused Of design to violate the integrity OF
the Republic. It is referred to at once asa de-
sire to raise another rebellion. Why, gentle
men, the very idea Of another rebellion by
people who have been SO completely subJugat-
ed, is absurd. 1t is true We have some disor-
ders among us-no reasonable man will pre-
tend to deny it nor would any reasonable 2T man
expect ANYTHING else | challenge the History
of the World to show where people who have
endured the horrors of such terrible civil war
for four long years, whose political, social and
moral condition had been so completely upturn-
ed, whose wealth had been 50 destroyed, whose
sons had been so slaughtered, whose every teel-
inc, sentiment and prejudice had been so tramp
led on, have submitted to it all With SO much
uuiet and so little of disorder If you expect
ne to exhibit more obedience and patience than
we have, am sure you pay us a compliment
which perhaps you do not intend, for 1t attrl-
butte, to us the possession OF virtues which |
know YOU would not look for in your own peo
pie.
Again repeat wc are most happy 10 see
con here TO learn otthcSc things for yourselves
and not another | AIN only sorry that YOU
cannot 90 farther and stay longer. in order that
YOUR information may be more complete ;nd
accurate. OF course, when we are preparing
TO entertain visitors. we put our best foot tore
most, and our households are swept and gar
nished; but there is nothing among us that
We would not desire you to see.
A gentleman who preceded me assured YOU
that the best wine had been kept for the last OF
the feast, in alludng to his reception here. |
beg to assure him that you are only entering
into the edge of the wine district; and that the
farther YOU 20 in North Carolina the better
Greensboro is an ambitious little city, and
does very we'll considering all things but II
YOU will 20 with me ninety-fve miles south
west of this to the city of Charlotte, to which
place my colleagues and myself are authorized
70 invite YOU. in the county Of Meek lenburg'
we will show you the natal spot OF American
liberty and Independence. you desire 1t we G,
will have the K h. X. ordered out IN fnll
force for your entertainment, headed ny tie
Grand Cycops himself: daughter can
say for myself, and believe tor all the people
of North Carolina, with sincerity and truth
that We desire, pray for, agonlze Tor not recon
struction only, but RECOMMENDATION WITH Tie le"-
pie of the North.
You most remember that We claim lis great
part in the past glories of the Republic as
belong to YOU. Remember that the people OF
North Carolina stood side by side with those
ne Massachusetts and New York III the times
which tried mems souls. Remember that
our soil is covered with the battle fields of that
s,aat revolution, and its bosom IS filled with
fhe dust of rs many heroes and as noble, who
nerished in that struggle, is ever gave then
blood to the cause of Liberty.
There is no reason why, if you would give us
4 chance, we should not strive for the honor
and glory of the county as well as you. II
only needs that We be truly reconclled II i
not we'll for people to continue stIle after th'
contest r es is ended 1t is not we'll for one side
to cherish exclusively traditions that would ill
the other With rage or sorrcw You have
YOUR heroes Of the great civil war in whose
praises we cannoa cordially join; we have our
heroes whose glorics You cannot sing, Iu'
there are common traditions and common he
roes who belong to the whole American people
in whose praises we can all unite. Let u
cherish these and meet on this common ground.
lpropose to you this day in the name OF the
people of North Carolina to assist in inaugu'
o. Il II L.