Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-08-25
ALEXANDRIA VA.
speech Of II. NJ. T. Hunter.
MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 1878.

Tics SllcC CESS wal las uccu AAiS o"haS
before had long been associated with questions
involving the welfare of this State, and the
influence he exerted as we'll in the councils OF
the Federal government, had naturally called
forth the just pride of those who had honored
him with the especial confidence and trust that
was reposed 10 hin His prominence then,
made it expedient, rather, that in the new or
der of things he should leave the management
of State affairs to those who would not so likely
excite that bitter opposition which might Jeop-
ardize the best interests of the State. lie has
acted we'll his part here, and he could we'll at
ford to be quiet, as his past public career had
furnished no errors to be retrieved-a public
career upon which he could reflect with pleas
ure Patiently he awaited the opportunity when
again bis latent powers should be aroused to a
new work, and right we'll has he begun that
work in the speech delivered 10 Richmond on
Friday last
The speech was characteristic one-it COM
ports with the dignity Of the man. Ear above
anything like party raucour, and free from all
personalities it was an able and digni6cd dis
cussion of the great questions which enter into
the present canvass. It's style may we'll be
adopted as standard upon which to conduct
the discussion Of the campaign. He recognized
the maintenance of the party as the most i'm
portant object of political interest within the
sphere of State policy, as through its agency
alone we might hope to exercise the greatest OF
all privileges, that of self government within
the State that he bad been induced to vote
for the Underwood Constitution, expurgated,
upon the ground that this Constitution even
would relieve US from military government,
and enable the whites, who constituted N;
jority Of the people, to control the State, and
then we might be restored to self government
really and in truth; that "Vjrginians might
rule Virginia, as the first step towards the
attachment Of the rights and prosperity Of the
State.
No objection, unless it be captious could be
made to his allusion to the vexed question of
race and he thought that the colored people
should be educated BY experience to the rights
of voters. He said:
THAT day, hope will come, and then we
can admit them into political fellowship and
consult with them upon the basis Of common
feelings and sense OF common Interests. But
until then, if their lights are respected aud
they meet with just and equal treatment under
the operation of orr law, which ell propose and
none would refuse they have no cause to COM
plain. They cannot expect US, by our own act,
to cothe them with power to be used under the
Influence Of the Radical party, and more 10
sympathy with New England feeling and inter
ests than with those of Virginia. Whenever it
has been tried in other Southern States. it has
been thus used, not only to the injury of the
political interests, and rights of the whites, but
it would seem for the very purpose of wonnd-
ing their selt-respect. IT,
He reviewed, By way Of comparison, the
government of the Southern States under Rad
ical rule and drew the conclusion that the best
government for Virginia was government
of Firginiaus;" government of men who will
be governed by Virginia principles and inter
ests, those who are reasonably competent to
understand them:
This Is the government under which !
have lived tor many year; it has sheltered me
in peace and in war; and if there has ever beer
any better for the object of its creation, or
which has moved more wisely and beoefceutly
to It's ends, am not aware OF its existence in
the past or the present
His discussion of the Constitutional l;tnita
tions of the power of State was an able expo
sition of the question Of how far State could
exercise exclusive control Gifts domestic matters
according to the genius, principles aud tastes OF
its own people, free from outside Interference,
such as Suggestions of education, morals, &C., over
which no other State should have any concern,
however much they might differ in opinion.
The interest Of the States may be different and
separate. Union aud cohesion are only neces-
sary 10 matters Of common interest, and if this
truth be ignored, there must of necessity be an
lncessant collision and lasting hatred engend-
cred between the people of the different States.
Uuder the strict construction Of the Constitu-
ton, relating to the power of the general gov
eminent, to interfere with State governments,
be conceded that opposition was often made to
schemes of general interest which could alone
be accomplished by the Federal government,
and that MIR. Calhoun, long ago, 10 his celc-
brated speech, at Memphis, admitted the pro-
priety of allowing to the general government
the right of improving rivers which ran through
three or more States, and constructing harbors
Of refuge:
According to this view, the right of Con.
gress to construct not only the Pacific railroad,
but the important work now contemplated by
which the great Northwest is proposed to be
united with the Atlantic through the waters
of Virginia, may be easily justified as fair de-
rivation from the war powers expressly grant
ed to the general government
This is source Of difference, however, that
both parties since the war have sought to put
away. In addition to this the wants of society
had changed, and human Institutions should
be modified to be loug-rved:
tuIhat To Coma axtont our old Srctotns nf