The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-11-28
TUESDAY EVENING, NOV. %, 1871.
OLD VIRGINIA AND WEST VIRGINIA.

We have improved every proper occa-
sion since 1868 to express our conviction
that great error was committed in the par
tition of the old State of Virginia. We do
so not merely because great practical
injury and wrong resulted in this special
case, but because we think the precedent
dangerous and revolutionary. 1t is too
much like gerrymandering for party
strength, to suit us. We think this is Just
the time to agitate for reconstruction, and
we have faith in the triumph of the right.
We quote below an article from the West
Virginia Journal, which, while opposing
reunion, admits the existence of a consid-
cradle party in favor of it. Old Virginia
is bound to throw overheard it's fossilized
ideas, and imbibe the progressive spirit of
the powerful communities with which it is
soon to become closely connected by great
lines of railway. 1t is rousing from its
lethargy and putting itself on the track be-
side its more fortunate sisters. 1t only
needs now, the restoration of its members,
cut off in the panic and bitterness of war,
and the fresh young blood of the mountain
men, to be whole and strong once more.
The Journal, abiding to the Richmond Dis
patch, says:
Our eye has fallen recently Upon two para
graphs in a Richmond paper one from letter OF
DR. Jeter, and the other comment by the editor,
which we quote below, that our readers may see
what disposition yet fingers in the hearts of the
people of the old State towards the new govern
nent.
Many of the residents of the Old State, viewing
the comparative prosperity of West Virginia with
that of the Eastern slope, naturally desire re-
union. No inconsderabe portion of the wealthy
citizens of the New State, looking over the mel
low-tinted past, have an inward longing for their
common destiny. But the day of their uniting
under one policy is over. Commerce and public i'm
proyements, which the Eastern government have
done nothing to stimulate and everything to re-
tard, may and certainly will hereafter link to-
gether the prosperity of the towns and citizens,
but the pathway of each lays in different lati-
tude. Virginia must come from beneath the
shadow of the great delusion which forces her
back 10 old customs, old ideas and the political
creeds OF ancient days, before our people will
treat upon tue subject, and then common intel
ligence will preclude common government for
the deceived people.
Richmond may dream, in her hstless ndffer-
ence TO progress and the advancing spirit o the
age, that her government will yet stretch its
gloomy wings over the mountain porges and the
river plains of prosperous West Virginia. but
in the evolution OF facts and destiny it will never
be realized. These expressions of its press indi-
cate however, concert of action between Vir-
ginia citizens and class of dissaffected partisans
on this side of the mountains to eventually raise
The question of reunion at an suspicious moment.
1t is the lingering rays of the Democratic oppo-
sition TO the restored government and the new
State born of necessity, which still obtains sway
in many minds, and which displayed itself in
eye-y Democratic heart and every Democratic
lip during the dark hours Of the country's peril.
-
Na,r, Vo,.l> -.
the field for Presidential claimants in the
Democratic and disaffected Republican
ranks, indicates that it is willing that all the
latter class should come on board the Dem
ocratic ship, and bring their active capital
with them but it must depend upon the
extent of this capital whether they have
any potential hand in the management of
the ship. They are invited to come in as
partners, and present their schedules of ac-
tive capital, before they claim any prospec-
tive dividends in the concern. The World
naively adds, by way of enticing these dis
affected persons on board the Democratic
ship, that ''they know who we are, but we
do not know who they are''-an admission
which it seems quite unnecessary to make,
in view of the general notoriety of the
Democratic party in the Empire State. The
people know pretty well who the Tammany
leaders are, and what they are, and how
desirable it may be for ''disgruntled" Re-
publicans, of the Greeley-Schurz stamp, to
pool in their active political capital into
such rotten concern.
The World in taking the leadership of
the Democratic party for 1872, gives pro-
mise Of as brilliant success as attended its
editorial career in 1868. 1t then displayed
such astonishing military tactics that the
whole political world was thrown into
amazement at the master stroke of policy
it evinced. The same world had then heard
of the embarrassments attending the
Swapping of horses while crossing a
stream" but the idea of swapping candi-
dates in Presidential fight, and on the eve
Of the deciding battle, had never before
entered the head OF the most inventive YAM
kee. The genuine letters patent for such
a brilliant maneuyre belonged, by univer-
sal consent, to the military genius of the
World. If we mistake not, that paper
will have to take back seat in the next
Democratic National Convention, wherever
and whenever it may be held. Its over
ture, therefore, to certain Republicans,
asking them to take stock in that conven-
ton, will hardly be accepted as the author
lied expression of the party. Is the H'orld
fishing for Gratz Brown, OF is its s'active
capital" bait thrown out for some railroad
king, or other millionaire having the where
with to invest in Democratic nomination
for 1872 /?
--------------
THE arrest of Richard B. Connolly,
which was announced in yesterdays papers,
has taken the public somewhat by surprise,
for the reason that his appointment of Mr..
Green to the deputy comptrollership of the
city was understood to have been made at
the instance Of the committee of seventy,
l.. II - r.