The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-05-17
SATURDAY EvEN'G, MAY II, 1873

For long time before the war there was a |
reciprocal feeling of unfriendliness be ween the
free states and the slave states during the war
it attained, of course, the highest point to which
the flercest passions that burn in the breast of
man could carry 1t; and on the termination of
hostties it naturally fingered after the re-
moval of the causes that originally awakened it.
But the healing hand OF time has soothed the
wounds on both sides, softened all hard harsh re-
membranes, and, at last, almost subdued the
bitterness of temper that was too often exhibited
in utteranoes on the palt of the press and of in
dlViduals in that section and in ths.-FnQttirer.
We are pleased to read this frank and
fair confession on the part of our conten-
porary. With one exceptional character
istic, and some few exceptional cases, it is
No doubt true. Some political asperties
linger, and much bitterness still betrays it
self in social circles we do not care to en-.
ter. We did not come to Virginia to de-
mand social recognition, either for ourself
or anybody else; nor did we bring po-
litical asperities enough with us to stir the
blood ofa respectable way-side grasshopper,
except as he might hop in our way to find
himself unceremoniously brushed aside for
his temerity. But while we believe what
our contemporary says as to the softening
of harsh rem entrances" and the sub
DUNG influences that have reached the
popular heart and the public press, we still
think that, in matters purely political and
to no small extent social, the +" feeling of
unfriendliness' still remains, and is cult
Vated, unintentionally perhaps, with as
much assiduity on the part of the oppose
ton journals as ever. s.s
For instance, no longer ago than yester-
day, our contemporary-in some respects,
one Of the most liberal and public spirited
journals in the South-charged that it was
the object of the Republican party of Vir-
ginia to reduce this state to the same hui
initiating condition as that in which South
Carolina and Louisiana now find them
selves hopelessly involved, by what
it is pleased to call Radcalism.
We doubt whether any reader
of The Enquirer believes this partisan
charge against the party which carried this
state for President Grant last November.
Certainly nothing that the party has done,
within the scope of our observation, would
justify such sweeping accusation against
it. If our contemporary will specifically
name any acts Of the party in this state
looking to this result, we will subject then
to the closest scrutiny and investigation
and, finding its charges true, will denounct
the acts with as caustic adjectives as the
nature of our vocabulary will admit.
As to the condition of things in Soutf
Carolina, our contemporary has more
cause to complain of itself and of its own
party, than Of us or the party we represent
Had the dominant party in that state, Al
the close of the civil conflict it provoked,
accepted the logical results of the war, and
treated the negro sub conditione, sine odic
guaranteeing to him his civil rights as
freedman, without prejudice as to
his future status-there would have
been DO occasion for the charges
now preferred and the results now com
planned Of. And as to the troubles ir
Louisiana, we think the impressions o
General Beauregard are about as reliable
as those of our city contemporary, and
might be quoted as showing that they
are occasioned, not by the Republican
party, but by "the political dissensions
and antagonisms among her own people, }"
and these might be got rid of by "discard
ing politics" and adopting such measures as
would tend to ''palliate the present ankle
ties and Affections of the people, and ulti
mately restore peace and prosperity to th
state.D
What General Beauregard is recon
mending for Louisiana, the Republican
party in this state is seeking for Virginia
to take her out from under the mallgn in
fuence that would array race against race
and produce such political discussions ant
antagonisms among her people as hav
proved the curse of Louisiana. To thi
end we shall welcome to our next stat
convention as much of the intelligence an,
commanding influence of our state as will
join us in saving Virginia from the precis
condition of things complained of by GU
contemporary, and so earnestly sought t
be remedied by General Beauregard, in
sister state.
We can assure The Enquirer that th
country as going on to the "grand destiny
that seems to await it - that our free insti
buttons are being preserved by the Republi
can party, and that the country has mad
greater strides in material prosperity, gran
deur and power, in the last eight years
than in any previous period Of her magnif
cent b story. r
What Virginia wants is to couple he
destinies with those of the national govern
ment, and, forgetting the strifes and con
tentions of the past, move on to the gloriou
possibilities that await her future, if sh
acts wisely and well in choosing her rulers
and no longer roots herself in the malig
prejudices of her people.
THERE are still held, in various parts {
the country, large quantities of grain 70
speculative purposes, and in order to stiffe
the price, holders are busy circulating III