Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-03-26
NUMBER 26.
A VOICE FROM WEST VIRGINIA.


We copy below an extract from a speech de-
livered in the West Virginia Constitutional
Convention by gentleman we'll known to ma
ny In Virginia for his high personal accomplish
ments, and who promises to take a distinguish
ed part In the future history of the new State.
A debate having sprung up in the Convention
on the adoption of a resolution recognizing
West Firginia's obligation for part of the
public debt of Virginia, Major Henry Mason
Mathews, of Lewisburg, Greenbrier county. in
an able speech in reply to some reflection cast
upon the public faith of Virginia, concluded as
follows:
Virginia has borne too much and suffered
too long to incur now, for the sake of money.
the reproach OF denying her honest liabilities.
she has been subjected to an ordeal through
which no other State has ever passed. She
has seen the lives of her children sacrificed. az
they sincerely believed, to advance her highest
interests; her towns and cities almost depo-
pulated; the rule of the bayonet to supercede
the reign Of law. And when prosperity began
again to dawn upon her, her fair fields were
swept by the floods of heaven and thousands of
her citizens again impoverished. In an evil
hour, as IT an implacable fate lowered over her,
the walls OF her capitol crumbled and buried
beneath their ruins the most cherished and
worthy OF those whom the war had spared to
her, And now she totters under the weight of
an enormous debt, which she steadily declines
to cast off; but with brow as erect her heart
as undaunted, and her honor as untarnished, as
when In the height of prosperity before the
bllghtlng breath Of war had fallen upon her,
her flag reflected the light of the morning sun,
or kissed with its silken folds the healthfui
o IolI o,,1 Ill ~.AIs L
border was Joy,. and prosperity and peace
Though within her halls
where once the Caesar dwelt,
Sit tuneless Low the birds of night"
yet dearer is she now in the hour of her humiI-
iatlon than was she in the day of her pride and
power. Each blood-stained field, each track of
desolation. the graves of her fallen sons, her
widows tear, her orphans cry, are but so many
cords drawing us to her in the midst of her
desolation.
"Much have we loved her in the glorious past:
Our lingering breath shall bless her to the last:
Though sunk her sun, though all her stars be
set,
And storms and darkness reign, we love her
yet"
But if at any time hereafter, when over
wheimed with misfortune, Virginia should be
brought to contemplate With complacency the
path of reputation and dishonor, let her fnd
IN the conduct of her virgin daughter bright
and glowing example of the strictest observance
of plighted faith.
You will remember, Mr. President, that when
the Greek tragedian was arraigned upon the
charge OF insanity the sole and triumphant de-
tence which he made was the recitation of the
greatest production of his genius. The State
OF West Virginia has been arraigned elsewhere
upon the charge of an unwillingness to assume
the responsibility of her just obligations. Let
us, who are her representatives, follow the ex-
ample of the illustrious Greek, and show in her
defense upon the completion of our work here,
the embodied sentiments of her united people.
which can leave no room to doubt her determi.
nation to maintain in the future-as her yener-
able mother has at least done in the past-an
unsulled reputation and a spotless honor.