The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-12-07

OF the ClHZcn, as well rs tn6 euC1enCy Ot
government, with forecast amounting
vernment for perpetuity. They omitted no
principle necessary to It's preservation, and
they included none which, properly ad.
mInistered, could work It's destruction.
The absorption of the powers and func
tions of the States by the Federal Govern
mert was as foreign to their design as the null
lifcation or reputation Of Federal author.
ity by the individual action Of the States
for the triumph of either involved the de-
struction of the Union. And yet between
these fatal extremes, secession upon the one
hand and GENERALIZATION upon the other, we
have been oScIllatlng since the foundation
terrible ordeal of attempted secession, but
the recoi has carried us 10 the other eX-
treme, and the dangers which menaced the
nation in 1861 are fuding parallel in 1871.
Power Is ever graSping after power. Its
insatiate NAV IS never cloyed. 1t climbs
by fraud and holds by corruption. Its So
licitudc for perpetuation exceeds that for
The public veal, and party is fostcred at
the expense Of principle. When venallty
triumphs in our public places, and the in
sdious approaches Of tyranny are un-
beeded by the masses when at local cleo
lions Federal soldiers, by order of Federal
officials, with loaded muskets and fixed
bayonsts, surround the polls, or Federal
battle ships with shotted cannon beleaguer
city to 0verawe its citizens in the free eX-
ercise Of the elective franchise; when inn
beetle and corrupt local governments are
forced upon people. and they punished
| for the inefhcicncy and rottenness OF those
very governments by the arbitrary depriva-
ton of all civil government; all rights and
all liberty arrested by thousands without
warrant Of law AMI driven to prison like
cattle TO the shambles, it is time that the
alarm-bell was sounded and the people AVA
kened to sense Of the dangers impending.
They alone can apply the corrective. They
have the means Of redress In their own
hands. Let them insist that the doctrine of
the indestructibility of the Union rs the
| fathers framed it shall be recognized, ard
| that the original and inherent sovereignty
Of the States and the strict administration
of the powers delegated by them to the
| Union shall again be acknowledged I; let
them demand the inviolabiliLy Of the habeas
| corpus the sub,rdination of the military
to the civil authority "the maintenance
OF the public faith, State and national, uu-
furnished; honesty and economy IN the nd
ministration of public affairs the equaliza-
ton and reduction Of tariffs and taxation 10
the lowest degree consistent with the man-
tenance of the public credit free educa-
ton tor all; a fostering care, encourage
men', and elevation OF labor, and until
fully, finally and permanently accom-
| Pushed, universal amnesty and impartial
suffrage" 1t is in no partisan spirit that ]
utter these words Of warning to you. l
should be dereiict in the execution of the
high trust reposed in me did I not make
known to you the perils which surround
Us, and indicate the course which in my
Judgment it IS wise to pursue. / would
that could present less sombre picture
| that l could congratulate you upon the
complete restoration Of the National Go.
vernment to its pristine purity and excel.
lence, strong in the affections of the people
and the just execution of their sovereign
will. But as affection Is not begotten OF
force, nor honesty OF corruption, so liberty
is not nurtured by tyranny nor peace by
violence. Not until the people rise in their
majesty and rcassert their liberties, now
trampled upon; not until kindness shall
Isupercede hate, and patriotism rise supe.
rior to partisan selfshness, may we look
for the Inauguration Of San era Of good
feeling"
Let us hope that patriots and statesmen,
good men and Christians, everywhere
| throughout the land, regardless Of past
associations or affiliations, will unite in m
4
| nation from this unnatural and dangerous
condition of affairs, TO the end that peace
and fraternity may Ire again restored among
4 the people, 80 that the nation. united,
purified, and harmonizcd, may march
Onward to the grand consummation Of the
! mighty destiny which awaits it.
MISCELLANEOUS.
1 Upon the subject Of special legislation
| and the organization Of JOINT stock compa.
| MES, banks, &C., respectfully refer you to
| my last annual message and the message OF
| date the S.h Of March, 1870, for an expires.
sion of my views.
Upon the subject of the organization oil
| the militia, the James River and Kanawha
1 Company, the organic itlOn of an insurance
bureau, and one or two other subjects,
shall probably take an early occasion TO cX-
press my views TO you.
Such Of the reports Of the several depart
mcnts Of the Government as have been re.
ceived are herewith submitted. eSpe.
cialy call your attention to that of public
printer and the superintendent Of weights
and measures. The former gives a very
lucid, and. SO far as | am able to judge, q
very satisfactory exposition OF the manage
meut Of his department., and the latter en-
bodies Information Of interest and import
ance. The recommendation by the public
printer that the bills Of his department be
no longer subjected to Executive approval
meets with my cordial concurrence, and for
the reasons he assigns.
GILBERT c. WALKER.