The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-06-02

covered with the bleaching bones Of pa
triotic soldiery. There would have been
no war there would have been no disun>
ion. Our great object now should be to
see more of each other, and labor together
for the building up of great nationality
on this western continent-a nationality
more noble, more powerful, than ever be-
fore existed, so that every man following
the example of the old Roman, and with
equal pride, might say, II am an Ameri-
can citizen" [Great applause.
In conclusion, Governor Walker again
expressed his pleasure at seeing before him
20 many of the trainers of public opinion
in three of the great Northern States, and
hoped that they would carry with them to
their homes the most pleasant recollections
of the Old Dominion. He then proposed:
"New Jersey-Once out of the Union, bat
now supporting the Keystone of the arch
In making the Federal Union what it fought
to be-"
REMARKS OF GOV. WELLS.
The Chairman called upon Ex-Governor
Fl. H. Wells, of Virginia, to respond to the
sentiment Just uttered. That gentleman
taking the floor said he was at loss to
know why he was called upon.
Gov. Walker: l thought the gentle
man was a native of New Jersey.
Gov. Wells: No sir; am native of
New York, like yourself. But it is plea
sure and an honor, Mr.. Chairman, to be
required to represent any State so true as
little New Jerscy--the smallest State save
one in tbe Union. She can always be des
pended upon.
He urged thorough comminglng of
the people, North, South, East, and West.
We must have this, or give up our present
form of government. lie then related an
incident coming under his observation
within the last few days, showing how an
imosities were being forgotten and better
feeling springing up between the friends OF
the blue and the friends of the gray. A
few weeks ago the people OF this city had
turned out almost to a man to spread their
floral tributes on the graves of those who,
clad in the gray, fell in defence of the
cause they believed to be just. One day
this week portion of this same peo-
pie had repaired to the Nation
al Cemetery and decorated the
mounds beneath which sleep those who
wore the Union blue. On this occasion a
lady of the Southland proud should be
the place of her nativity-havng had
charge of the distribution Of flowers on
the Confederate memorial day, sent mes
sage to the officers of the Grand Army of
the Republic, asking whether few flowers
would be acceptable for this second decora-
ton. The offer was accepted, of course,
and this kind lady of the South sent--not
few-but eight bushels of flowers to be
strewn on the graves of the Federal dead.
TGreat applause He thanked God for
such examples as that. They were worth
more than hundred speeches. They
come from the heart, and go to the heart.
Governor Wells then paid his respects
more particularly to the press. One hun
dred and thirty years ago Lord Denvers
said in the British Parliament that the
British people were governed by power
that never before governed any people. 1t
was not the voice of the Prince; it was
not the statutes of Parliament it was not
the strength of the army and navy, nor the
| influence of the clergy--it was the Public
Press. We of Virginia understand this
power. [Applause.] Hence this demon
stration. 1t is grand achievement to send
| out sixty missionaries, but when each OF
those sixty missionaries presides at print
ing-press it is of vital importance that they
should form Just and fair impressions OF
the people they visit. We want You to 60
back with proper ideas OF our beautiful
State, and to spread those ideas broadcast
among your constituents.
One hundred years ago, lacking forty
days, the tyrant, George III, said "this
practice of publishing the acts of Parlia'
ment by weekly newspapers must be stop
ped. 1t would be best for the House o.
Lords to take the case in hand, for they
cannot only fine but imprson, and theil
shoulders are broad enough to bear the
contumely." George III is now in th'
United States, and recently made his ap
pearance in The Senate. But thank God
the press triumphed in 1871 as in 17T1
over King aud Parliament. Great ap
plause He would always stand up fo
the press, and he believed the press woult
always stand up for the people. "Befor
taking my seat, gentlemen, propose New
York--the greatest State in the world" ="
! Mr.. Kelley: Except Virginia.
| Gov. Wells: No, sir, not except Virgin
Ia /; for hasn't New York given two Gov
ernors to Virginia--Gov Walker and you
humble servant?
Col. Gilman Three; Gov. johnson.
Gov. Wells Oh, / forgot Gov. John
son. Thank God for johnson. Mr.. Chair
man, l propose "The great and nobl
State of New York"
The following is the speech quoted b.
Governor Wells, made by Denvers in Par
lament about 1870 years ago, in his illus
tration of the growing power of the press
We publish it in full, as relic of th
past:
'sI believe the people Of Great Britain ar
governed by power that was never hear
Of as supreme authority in any age 0
country before. The power, sir, does no
consist in the absolute will Of the Prince
in the direction of the parliament, in th
strength of an army, or 10 the influence {
the clergy but sir, it is the governmen
of the press. The stgf which our weekl
newspapers are filled with is received wit
greater reverence than acts Of parliamen
/. and the sentiments Of these scribblers ha
: more weight with the multitude than th
opinions Of the best politicians in ii
| Kingdenl."