The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-08-23

Let the Truth be Told.-Does the Dis
patch propose to confine itself to the truth,
or does it intend to make statements so
glaringly false that even fools may discover
them the moment their eyes rest upon it's
statements?
In its issue of this morning, it charges
an evening paper (us, of cOurse,) with
having cast shus upon the political senti-
ments of members of the Chambers Fire
Company of Portsmouth, which recently
visited Richmond. We ask the Dispatch
the direct question Did we say one aco,d
about the political sentiment of the COM
pany or its members? I? If we did not,
what then have you done?
Did we cast any "slurs" upon their
political sentiments2 We know nothing
of their being yankees" and SO stated,
but said if it acas true certain members of
our Fire Brigade had refused to participate
in the reception of the Portsmouth COM
pany, because they were "Yankees," they
had acted very illiberally and such conduct
was deserving of censure. If there was
any reflection, it was not upon the Ports
NORTH company, but nearer home. We
are now not only convinced that the COM
pany was not composed Of yankees" but
of red-hot Democrats, and if the Peters,
burg papers are to be believed, rejected the
courtesies of officers and members Of the
Petersburg firemen because some of them
were Republicans. This being true, it
would have been better had those who
imagined the Portsmouth company COM
posed of Yankees" to inquire the truth
before acting SO illiberally.
We would beobliged to the Dispatch to
represent us fairly, and as We intend it
shall do, or exhibit sufficient ingenuity to
cover up its attempts at misrepresentation,
evidently made for political purposes, and
to prejudice its readers against our paper.
1t probably sees in us its most formidable
rival for public favor, and would gladly use
such unfair means to destroy our influence.
We are rapidly growing, in spite Of its
dwarfish policy, and shall pursue a fair and
manly course of journalism, fearing moth
ing from the futile efforts of a paper which
waits so patiently to discover the popular
tide, and then casts itself upon its bosom,
where, with closed eyes it rides into the
harbor of public favor.
The Enquirer says these gentlemen
would have been treated Hospitality with
out regard to their previous antecedents.
That may be true, but the hospitality, even
as Confederates, was confined, for but two
companies, out of the number in the city,
contributed to the expenses, or met them
at the wharf. Their reception in Peters
burg and here has suspicion about it, and
| as the Petersburg papers have shown no
disposition to evade the truth, we see no
reason why we should. There was consid-
cradle lacking here to make their reception
all to be desired, and whether "Yankee" or
not, we have right to complain Of the
want of attention on the part Of a portion Of
our fremen TO their visiting brethren.
| When fraternal ties are thus severed in an
hour of peace, it shows a deep seated antip-
athy between the two sections and parties
which we always claimed did ertst, but
which our Democratic contemporaries have
so studiously endeavored to deny.