The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-04-13
GOV. GILBERT C. WALKER.

the competing series.
GOV. GILBERT C. WALKER.
It is our habit always has been, and We
expect always will be, to speak and write of
men and things just as we think We never
could understand the policy or the fairness
Of supprcssing an opinion honestly entertain
ed And although al this particular time
there is no active, exciting occasion to call
for it. we avail ourself Of the calm to record
our high admiration for the ability, the man
illness and the elevated character of Gov
Gilbert G. Walker. Although not exactly
to the ''manor born" he has shown a devo-
ton to the interests of Virginia. jealousy
of her honor, and an anxiety concerning
everything that pertains to her prosperity, sur
passed by none of her native born sons Being
fully and deeply impressed with the vital i'm
porauce to the future prosperity of the State
that the question Of the Public Debt should
be settled. and something tangible presented
to the country as the basis upon which she
intended to meet her creditors, he conceived
and threw into shape the substance Of the
funding bill. Gov. Walker was so keenlv
alive to the eminent essentially of some such
plan of meeting the difficult and cmbarrass-
ing emergency in which the State was ;n9ov-
ed, and so scornfully inccnsed against the
bare idea of having the honor of Virginia
furnished by even the rcmotest suspicion of
Reputation, that he would have promptly
resigned the Executive office, had the Legis-
laturc enacted into law any bill which would
have borne such an inputaion. He saw and
felt the imperative necessity of maintaining
the credit of the State, as the only means
by which capital aud emigration could be
attracted to our domain railroads construct
ed, manufactures established, aud the gener-
al development of our vast resources of ma
terial wealth secured It was necessity, too.
which must have controlling effect upon
the future political Importance and influence
of the State. Had not the question been
met in manner consistent with the honor
the past renown, and the future hopes OF
the Commonwealth, Virginia would have
become less than blank in all coming ma
tional deliberations. She would have been
looked upon as having divorced herself from
all claim to the deferential consideration Of
her sister States, and wrapped herself in
mantle Of shame that nothing could have
atoned for
Not only on this. but on every question
where the enduring interests and honor Of
| the State were i'm catcd, in public messages
and in private conversations, he has mani
tested sensitiycpess, a zeal, and an earnest
concern which have given the assurance that
ne meant to uphold aud maintain the trre
character Of Virginia-to establish her
claim to consideration anda position, shorn
! Of none of its ancient spiendor, nor abated
one jot or title from the proud position she
held in the sistcrhood of States before the
war.
Governor Walker is statesman and far.
above the mere pretepders, who trade upon
other peoples ideas, and futter into promi-
ncnt notice by spasmodic efforts aud accidents.
His mind is comprehensive and suggestive
taking in and grasping and sdisesting all
questions of State and National Importance.
He is Ii bold man, for once having conceived
an idea. the application Of which 10 the af-
fairs Of State he regards as calculated to be
Of public utility, ne has no hesitancy in pro-
mulging it, and stalking his reputation upon
it. So well is his mind balanced-so acute
is his sense Of propriety and practicablity-
so vigorous the action Of his thinking facul-
ties-so broad his views Of public policy
that he can calmly take in the wants OF
the State, and suggest the necessary remc-
dies for any evils that may exist.
We regard it as great public blessing
that at this critical period in the history of
our grand old State. she has her honor and
her interests, il part. entrusted to one who
in every essential particular is so well suited
W WV SWoi -CnOJ' " = hHuW VI no oHG Ill
the broad limits of the State, who could
have more acceptably filed the high position
he occupies, or who would have more richly
deserved the sustaining sympathy and the
earnest endorsement Of the people Of Vir-
ginia.
Col. Jonas Walker, brother of the Gov
ernor, has purchased the Boiling property
in Petersburg for $50, 900, and intends to
tear down the old buildings and erect new
ones for the purpose of storing and com
pressing cotton. Col W. is a Northern
man, but has come South to help build up
our section, and make himself and means
sseful. We welcome to Virginia all such,
Lucian Beard, the bismarck of horse
thieves, was recently tried in the Circuit
Court of Cumberland county, Virginia.
found guilty, and sentenced to IS years in
| the Penitentiary.
John ?. Ballard, Esq, 50 we'll and favor
ably known in Virginia in connection with
Virginia Hotels, has now charge of the