The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-12-13
Federal Mlations---Again

-~- The New York commercial, III III ait'cis
which we published Monday, rid!cule:
that part OF Governor Walkers message
which relates to the usurpations OF the
Federal Government, and, although ii
.ttcs,s the Governor courteously, it
casts contempt upon his dissertation
"a renewing "Ibe old strife" OF
8 virginia abstractioni-ts." What would
al old Virginia State-Rights essaylst say to
such mistake as this? His contempt would
be supreme. But The Commercial Is guilty
OF more than mistake. 1t is guilty OF
heiping rdicule upon the political system
under which We live. We, indeed, must
have drttcd far away from true republican,
ism into the sea of centralized, arbitrary
,ipower when q leading newspaper treats
with lidieue an appeal from Governor OF
one of the oldest States of the nation to re-
spect that system, and to maintain it in the
administration OF the affairs Of the National
Covert The most ultra of Republicans
have admitted that there were measures
pursued towards the southern states since
the establishment Of peace that had no
warrant in the Constitution. 1t Is desired
that sc recur TO the principles OF that in
strumcut-the best chart OF = republic ever
Deutschland this desire il ridiculed as IN
Abstraction, aud the chief executive officer
of Virginia pronounced an abstractionist
and an enemy Of President GRANT for eX-
pressing 1t. or course it is always so.
The ahhcrents of arbitrary authority never
fail TO brand man who complains Of the
administration rs IN enemy TO the admins
traitor. ueuce those opposing the GRANT
Administration arc denounced rs conspi-
ratoIs."
AS Virginia is accused through her Co.
vernon of suddenly changing her opinions
and sentiments towards General GRANT
being kind when she wanted something and
uncrateiul when she got lit is we'll to &c
back little TO the oft-repeated history
When the State was about to emerge from
the military government by organi'
ling u Statc government with q Con.
s,itution. the question Of adopting the
Constitution framed by the negroes
and carpet -baggers In 'GT excited the
deepest fears Of our people, and they had
tire sympathy of every rejecting and honest
gentleman i'll the land. General SCHoFIELp,
then Secretary Of War, who had been re.
GENTLY commander Of Virginia, had de.
cared that under the iron,cIad oath in that
Constitution ii would he impossible TO find
Intelligence and CAPACITY enough in the
State to - run the government" He had
explained the matter fully TO General
GRANT, and that gentleman concurred with
him IN opinion, adding his especial con.
denualion OF The clause in the Constitu.
ton with regard to "county urganza
lion>." He declared that no people ough
TO bs expected to lUe under such Il cOnStitu
itOn. s~.
This inspired in Virginia Il Warm feelin.
of gratitude to General GRANT. But after
wards change came over him. ScHoFlELl
had lett for The field, ard not long after
wards RAwIINs died. The General ha,
promised to assist us to get rid of the iron
clad oath and the county organizations
Wfien the pinch came he was slow. A
the very last hour, yielding to persisten
appeals, he urged Congress 10 allow us t.
vote separately upon the oath in voting OF
thaConssituticn; and Congress did ii. W,
felt obliged for that.
But still General GRANT indicated by hi
favor and patronage his support of the mel
in Virginia who used all their influence I,
put lis under the iron. clad oath. VIII,
does not know the power of the Presiden
with his patronage and who will not ap
preciate the struggle We had to make Will
under military rule to defeat the part
maintained by the President y-maintaine
by him in opposition to the policy he ha
frankly avowed with regard to Virginia.
After that, President GRANT went over t.
the ultra Radicals {; took into bis counsel
the most Objectionable carpet.baggers an,
others ffom Virginia and other southern
States adopted the policy OF persecution
In Which the authority Of the States, unde
the aConstitution, was annuled, and tb
right Of the citizen, under the same in
strument, trampled in the dust. Had h.
frowned upon the carpet-baggers and be
slowed Office upon others he would hav,
relieved the South pretty much of the Who'll,
OF that vile pack, which is now eXecrated ii
every part OF the Union. But he strength
ened their hands aud increased their power
to harass and plumber the South. Ever
nowhe has for his constitutional adviser o
man who represents these much.loathed
people
o. course Virginia Is against General