The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-05-01

Since We have had charge of the Vuuginan
a. its editor, we have endeayored to divorce
onrself from the influence Of prejudice aud
feeling, arising from passionate consideration
Of the events and results Of the past decade,
which have combined to make us new peo-
le,paitically speaking. Constitutoualy hot
blooded and impulsive, we have sought to bring
these under the control Of calm, philosoph-
ical supervision, and address our mind to
logical discussion OF all questions atfectlng the
public interest. Having arrived at a conclu-
zion, We have not shrank from presenting its
legitimate consequences, and, as far as lie in
our power, essayed to educate the popular
mind to their acceptance as rational and
proper in themselves, under tbs circumstan-
ces, and the surest means of inauguratiug
material ,rosperity, advancing to political
power, and cultivating healthy national
sentiment, in consonance with the solemn pied
ges made and the binding obligations assumed
by the people individually and collectively
We confess that this has been Jess difficult
task with US to effect, than with the editor of
the Old Commonwealth. We have not had en-
craven on our mind, as with a pencil Of fame
the scenes of the last Constitutional Conven.
ton in Virginia, as doubtless he has, from
actual presence and participation in the de-
bates upon the theatre where Lewis Lindsay
and DR.. Boyne and Huunioutt, dashed into
frenzy By the heilish passion Of ignorant hate,
poured forth the gal! of their souls, and en-
deav to enac; into fundamental law per-
petual stigma upon the people of the State.
who, with heroism not surpassed III the
t'age of Pericles," nor in the triumphal ad-
vance Of Caesars "imperial eagles, "to the
Thames" offered up their all in defence Of
the honor of Virginia. We would have been
less than man, "to the MAJOR boru," had
eur sympathies and feelings not been excited
in behalf Of our own people, in that sangui-
nary struggle in the fasbioning of cardinal
law for the future government of the State.
But We stand here now, to view and consider
that cyentful period nationally, and not to
rsvel in the mazes Of a highly wrought sen
tlmentality, OF become euveloped in the mists
of an emotional phautasy.
Virginia had been no mean actor in the
eraadest tragedy of the nineteenth century,
Upon every battle field, from the Potomac to
the Mississippi, and beyond both, the bones
of her sons lie bleaching, in testimony of their
earnest resistance to Federal authority. The
sequel developed that that resistance was un-
successful, and although it is no. the "fate of
cause" that determines its inherent justice.
for all practical purposes it has been decided
by the arbitrament to which we appealed.
that We were wrong in that resistance. The
South was conquered. The csnqueror had
the power to impose whatever terms he wish
ed. The conditions required, were acceded
toby us. But this concession did not remove
convictions and prjudices, for it was hardly
to be supposed, that by the mere stroke Of
the pen, could be wiped from the mind the
impressions and opinions lodged there by the
force Of education for three quarters Of cen-
fury past Be this as it may, We stood at
the close Of the war, accnquered people. We
had thrown off allegiance to government
fought to destroy the 'ife of the nation
and in the maintenance sfantagouizing ideas
of government to those entertained by the de-
tenders CT the Union, this fair land was
'drenched in fraternal blood. From the
stand point held BY the conqueror, it was un-
reasonable to suppose, that radical change
in conviction Of principle, in cardinal
thought, could be effected ia the Southern
mind in the twinkling of the eye. It was
not natural to expect that after the stubborn,
bloody aud prolonged endeavor upoa our
part to overthrow the Federal government
and establish a separate ndependsncy, that
We should be invested with all the politica
privileges and prerogatives- placed upon al
equality.in these respects, with those who hat
held to opposite views to those We sought tt
enforce. We assume that this process of rea
soning was natural and legitimate. 1t was per
fectly natural that doubts should be entertain
cd as to the policy ofclothiug the leaders of tn
Southern movement with full political pow
CT. Then, too, the passions and prejud.ces
created and nourished by the war had not
subsidized. This condition of the public mir
must be considered in connection with the
obvious reason OF the case, and when all the
facts, emotions and circumstances are brought
calmly under review, it is not surprising that
restrictions were proposed aud advocated BY
at beast some Of those w'o participated il
the formation Of the Iganic Law Of the State.
But what might have appeared then to be
a wise precaution by even just men, would
now constitute fagran. wrong, and there i.
no intelligent mind in Virginia at this time
whatever may have been his relation to tn,
conflicting PARTIES ten years ago, that does
not recognize the eminent proprety of en-
tire freedom Of volition and action 10 the po
ltical affairs of the State. This point having
been reached by common consent, by univer.