The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-12-02
Tho General Assembly

viii meet to-day In tue capitol ana coh''
mcnce the business Of legislation. We wsh
they were, in a ply steal sense, surrounded oy
better circumstances but, all things consid-
cred, we should be sratifed that these are
SO good. The State has suffered IN all re re-
spcc:s. Yet. we feel a sincere pride IN say,
ing ,ha, whatever objections may DC ai'eseu
concerning the character and measures o' VIC
LEGISLATURE. in the long run its proceedings
hore tended to conservatism Ito the pro1cc-
lion Of the State from the causes existing 10
the body itself from the macy things winch,
nnder the abominable reconstruction Jaws :"
or ,hc Federal Government, have threat
encd the State with the worst evils. OF this,
indeed, we may be proud. II IS striking
proof of that judicious. calm, and resointe
public character which has ever distinguish
ed the PEOPLE of Virginia. With all their
trials. with all their disasters, and with the
laws of Congress weighing them down INTO
the dust and almost into utter ruin, they nave
preserved order and saved the Common
wealth.
This has been the achievement OF people
WHO have no superior on the globe. It's an
example Of patient fortitude and constancy,
OF undyipg hope and perseverance,, unsur-
s>ed. 1t is history Of prolonged ana
faithful resistance to war upon civilization
that is uncopquerable ; that must triumph
ami end in rerevolutionizing the land and
eleyatipc civilization to its place as ruler
and as the guide to that Incompatible dignity
and power which will ultimately distinguish
this nation.
The recent overwhelming defeat Of the
Dirty which has Inflicted Incompatible evils
on the country shows how patience and per-
severance must finally triumph. In the light
of that grand victory the Virginia Leglsa'
ture will find The cause of brightest hopes
for their State. 1t will animate them, we
ME sure, 10 deliberate with increased zeal !;
to be more than ever careful to do nothing
detrimental, but everything with the view OF
giving strength to the State and facilitating
the peaceful revolution now clearly begun
which promises to roll on until the country
is restored to harmony and the States to
equality. .. .... .....
We expressed above the wish that circum-
s:srces were better; but we congratulated
all that they were so good. Struggling
through such trials as those inflicted upon
the South is work the like OF which we
hope no people may ever again know. 1t
his been slow, and we have a great deal yet
to do to finish it. The people are, all things
considered, wonderfully well off, The pres
sure growing out of the panic of last year is
not yet over, and business and industry Of
all sorts yet feel its weight. But we can say
with truth that no State has gotten along
and passed through the trial better than Vir-
ginia. -.-.-
Therefore the Legislature-the representa-
tiYcs OF the people-have no cause for
dependency, and should in no respect do
anything that might dampen the public spirit
or throw momentary gloom over the future.
People who have stood such tests must be
destined for bright future-thal brightness
of peace and prosperity which providen-
italy never fails to reward the heroic labors
of wise, and yirtuous, and brave people.