The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-11-23
NO. 80.

enormous than here. Yes, point me, if you
can, to any State in the entire Union, with
one single exception. where taxation is So
light as in Virginia! Consider, too, the DIFF
ferent purposes for which taxes are levied
there and here. Your taxes are levied for
the purpose Of paying the legitimate current
expenses of your State government and the
interest on your public debt contracted in
building the railroads and canals which YOU
now enjoy. and which have accomplish SO
much in the development of your State. Are
the objects and purposes for which the enor-
nous taxation under which some Of our sister
States are groaning equally just, honorable,
and worthy? Would you exchange conditions
with any one Of them? Would you not
-" Rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to others that we know net OFF,
Fellow-citizens, our State vas the battle
ground of the late war. Her fair fields were
drenched with her best blood. and all her ter
ritory was swept as with the bosom Of destruc-
ton. Torn, crippled, exhausted, stripped of
her substance, she emerged from the war bus
little more than the shadow of her former
self
But the same indomitable spirit which had
borne the brunt for years devastating war
sustained her still, and she passed through
FIVE more years Of trial and suffering, of doubs
and vexation = Virginia stall! [Cheefs.
When at last the CLEANS of light began to
break through the gloom and darkness that
had enshrouded her, the hopes of her gallant
people began to revive; and when her com.
plete restoration to all the rights and powers
20 Co. l., ,kol
when the full-orbed sun of Peace shed its
refulgent rays once more upon our land, our
people rejoced with exceeding great joy.
Then began that recuperation and material
improvement which has since been going
steadily forward-slowly it may be, but sure
ly-and which will fnd lis consummation
when Virginia, as she did OF old shall lead
the van Of the sisterhood of American States.
TGreat applause aud renewed cheers True,
we have adopted Constitution which, in
many respects, is not we'll adapted to our
wants and circumstances Nevertheless, with
that same integrity which has ever charae
terized Virginia's action, we are faithfully
executing all its provisions. Constitutional
governments are the creatures Of written law
All their powers and functions arc not only
created, but are limited by it. A failure to
execute these powers and functions, as limited
and defined, is often as violative of the fun.
damental law as the exercise Of powers not
granted by it. In putting into force our Con.
stitution, obnoxious though tits, we have kept
within the pale of the lines indicated. All our
people are safe and secure 10 the full and free
exercise and enjoyment of al the rights and
immunities conferred or guaranteed by it
Equal aud exact justice is melted out to all
whether of high or low degree, and before
the law the hunbIist citizen is the peer oe
the highest But the violator of law we'll
knows that swift and speedy justice will sure
ly overtake him, and heequaly as we'll knows
that when just and righteous sentence has
been pronounced against him it will be as
surely executed. These some Of the guild
ing principles which have controlled the admin
istration Of your State government Aud
what are the resu is already attained? Why,
the supreme, ultimate object for the accom-
instituted and good order everywhere,
and the full'and ample protection of every
citizen Sin life, liberty, and the pursuit. Of
happiness"
Fellow citizens, have but glanced at the
present condition and future prospects of Vir-
ginia, and yet do we not behold in this album
dant cause for profound satisfaction and ex-:
allied hope? | know that we have some
creakers in our midst, m IN " no dwell in an
atmosphere of gloom and dependency, and
are angry with all who do not see things
through their dlngy, smoky glasses. But le5
US all recolleet that this class of men are not
SUI generis, and not peculiar to us and cur
age. Their prototypes existed in the olden
| times. There were men who swore that no.
thing good could come out Of Nazareth, and
| yet the shrine Of the despised Nazarene is to-
| day the alter of the Christians hope. Even
Peter cursed God and denied him thrice. buG
afterwards preached "Christ, and Him cruc-
| fed Yes and there are other classes too
men who, like Esau, sold their birth-righf
for mess of pottage; and Judas, who be-
trayed his master for handful of silver
But do not know that We have men like
them in Virginia. | do not assert that we
have men who are sowing Che seeds Of dis
cord, that they may reap the harvest of pal
try office. But do say that any man who,
when his brother, his neghbor, his commu-
nifty, or his State, is in distress, instead of
ministerng comfort and encouragement, seeks
to increase the distress, discoura cement and
discomfort, for his own private profit or ad-
vancements is unworthy of public trust or
confidence. / prefer The CORY and beauty of
day" to the darkness and the gloom of the
night. Give me the white winged messen-
gers Of peace and hope rather than the storm.
presagiug petrol. 1prefer the song of the
nightingale to the boot OF owl or the croak Of
raven, In the Language Of one Of Americas
greatest statesmen eli have little 81 thaS
spirit which would lift mortals to the skies,
| I have yet none of that ether spirit which
would drag angels down" tas
But, fellow citizens, fear I have been
nearly betrayed into making speech. 1 do
not intend to do that, and must stop right
here. [Crics of .'go on. q To YOU, ladies'
and gentlemen, desire to return my sincere
thanks for The patience and attention with
which you have listened to these desutory
remarks To you. gentlemen Of the Border
] Agricultural society-aitizans Of Virginia
and your sister State of North Carolina and
to you, gentlemen af The 'Grays'l and the
''Blues,' return my heartfelt thanks Tor
your kind and hospitable reception, and,
with many thanks to all, I viii stop right
here prolonged applause and cheers
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