The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-09-01

This convention, which met at Assembly
Hall and adjourned sine die on yesterday,
is styled by some "The Vrginians in
Council,o from which we are given to UNI
derstand that it was composed of the creme
de Ia creme of those favored mortals who
were permitted by a kind Providence to be
born in Virginia instead of some less aris-
tocratic portion of the habitable world !;
hence, in their developed manhood, they
dazzle our mental vision, the s'true repre-
sentatives of the highest type of American
society,"" and the shining coup d'oeit twas
in no manner affected by the entrance of
the colored delegates from the city Of Rich
mond," just as the brilliancy Of the orb Of
day is in no way married, or obscuIed to
mortal vision, by the appearance of spots
upon its surface. 1t is not to be wondered
at, that dazzled historian Of this august
assemblage should inform us that ''all stood
erect, conscious of the proud attitude his
State had always held among the nations,
and feeling that he was portion Of her fame
and GRANDEUR and it is, therefore, less
surprising that our Governor should saeri-
flee something for the privilege of being
,lngraciously permitted to bask in the
presence" thinking, probably, that the
''odor of sanctity' might remove that dis
tressing faint of birth beyond the confines
of Virginia; for such a body of men must
certainly fulfil the poetic office of stealing
from the gods,) and giving, Ito ordinary
mortals) odor.n We fear, however, that
after all his sacrifices, he will be ruled
against by The V0yinians, on the princi-
ple-sie ros, non uobis.
It would be the reasonable presumption,
that as the sun shines for ten thousand
thousand benefcent purposes, its, mortal
prototype at Assembly Hall should dazzle
us for some one purpose of like character J;
but we search the record of proceedings in
vain for a single expression of any senti-
ment save self-laidation, and senvy,
hatred, malice and all unchafitableness"
towards the rest of mankind. The plat
form adopted, in fact, if not in word, was
that laid down for the convention by the
WMg-"Death to Radicalisfn." & tat
The fiat having gone forth in the form Of
a "Vermillion edict," which all who hear
must ''tremblc and obey,' we are tempted
to exclaim Of this new Caesar: ~ ~
"Why man, he doth bestride the narrow world,
Like a Colossus, and we petty men,
Walk under his huge legs, and peep about
To find ourselves dishonorable graves" ~sf,i.,
But seriously we tell these would be
revivalists of the rule of aristocratic tyran-
ny, that they propose to do what is inn
possible, even for them, great as we admit
is their ability, greater their audacity,
still greater their selfshness, and immea-
surably greater their estimation ssof their
own worth and weight" You may build
your "wall of adamant," and protect it
by an outer wall of prescription, but you
will find that Radicalism will justify its APP
pellaton, it has struck its roots Tadicals)
deep into the congenial soil of popular
sentiment, and from the ''grain of mustard
seed'' it has grown to giant tree, under
whose friendly boughs the oppressed of
this, and other nations, find grateful shell
ter from the deadly sun-heat of arlstocratic |
domination.
Years ago, lie roi euA, might be suffi-
Gent to command obedience; but times