Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-01-09
GOV. KEMPER'S INAUGURAL.

"
SKETCH OF IT'S PoINTs-THE RACE CUES
TIoN-OUR PARTY AFFILIATIONS
THE NATIONAL ADMINISTRATION
WHAT THE PRESS SAY.
sc. &C. &C.
The inaugural message of Gov. Kemper
Vas sent in on New Years day. It is some
i've or six columns in length. We copy
;he following synopsis of it's points from
,he Richmond "Dispatch -
The leading topic of the inaugural is
Jhe
GOVERNMENT OF THE RACES.
How to govern successfully two distinct
races of men as equals in political rights
he assumes to be a problem never to this
time peacefully OF successfully solved !; but
Governor Kemper processes the belief that
# we are but guided by prudence, if we go
forward with courage tempered with for
bearance, and if no Federal legislation
shall intervene to disturb the relations be-
tween the races, we cannot fail to bring
our great experiment to successful and
issue" His comments upon
this subject are well worthy the particular
attention of our northern friends. The
Governor completely vindicates Virginia
in her policy towards the negro-in her
school system and in her uniform kindness
and fairness; so remarkable, indeed, that
no case for Federal interference to protect
the colored man in Virginia has been made
out since she was in possession OF her own
government.
On the subject of
IMMIGRATION AND RECONSTRUCTION
the Governor frankly avows the disposition
of Virginia, which has been SO much mis-
to be- in favor of peace and
harmony with all the States as necessary
to the welfare of herself and of the whole
Union. Her people, after their brave
returned to the Union in good
faith, and desire 'speace with honor-not
the name and forms-but the living reall-
ties of peace.'' 1t is desired by Virginia
that all the States, all immigrants, shall
know this to be the spirit Of her people
The Governor, justly and truly represent
ing our people, pledges a welcome to al,
with ample guarantees for life, liberty, and
the pursuit of happiness and freedom OF
opinion.
On
POLITICAL PARTY RELATIONS
the Governor briefly and vigorously ex-
plains the position of conservatism occu-
pied by Virginia Sin the existing crisis, IN
volving the reconstruction OF the founda-
lions Of society," He refers to the decla-
ration in the platform of principles of the
Conservative party that no captious oppo-
sition would be opposed to the Federal ex-
ecutive, but that 1--WE 1.-THE Conservative
party will judge him impartially by his Of
fetal action, and will cooperate in every
measure of his administration which may
be beneficent in design and calculated to
promote the welfare of the people and Gull
tivate sentiments of good will between the
different sections of the Union" He bold
" declares that this ''article was no politi-
cal expedient of the hour, but that it en-
bodied 'tthe sentiments of honorable men,
and binds by the obligations of good faith
and Justice" He recommends that the
Legislature reaffirm this declaration, should
no ''untoward event" forbid such action.
Governor Kemper fully understands the
force of this declaration, and he as well
what may untowardly inter-
cept it's reatfirmation.
FEDERAL PATRONAGE.
He but does justice to Virginia under
this head by repudiating all idea that we
here attach any Importance to the dispen-
sation of the Federal official patronage be-
yond desire that it shall be in Virginia
bestowed upon honest and capable men.
THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AND OUR
STATE DEBT.
The Governor assumes that Virginia has
a lust claim upon the United States to
"discharqe our State debt; or, at least to so
readjust it's own (Federal) work as to re-
lieve us of unfair burthens." He bases
this claim upon the dismemberment of Vir-
ginia by control of the Federal Govern
ment, which left it's measure incomplete by
making no provisonsfor the settlement Of
the State debt. He thinks that the pay
ment of the State debt by the Central Gov
would be fair adjustment OF the
acts and unrectified results of
war, and would, furthermore, Sin some
small measure make return for the vast do
nation with which the muni6cence of Vir-
ginia endowed the Uuion in it's weakness
and infancy"
In reference to the
EDUCATION OF THE NEGROES
Governor Kemper depicts the hardship Of
imposing that upon us with our reduced
Of taxation. Yet this burden had
been promptly borne. He adduces this
fact to show how peculiarly unwlse and
cruel would be any measure of the Federal
forcing us to establish mixed
schools 1t would, he declares, ''prove
quickly destructive Of the educational sys-
tenn" of the State.
The irregularities IN
THE DIsPENsATION OF THE NATIONAL
CURRENCY
are commented upon-Virginia only has a
third of her quota It is too much, says
the message, to expect us to meet the enor-
nous Federal and State levies unless these
are corrected. We trust
there is no probability Of the alternative
he suggests of empowering us to provide
circulating medium for ourselves. The
present currency is the best we ever had.
Governor Kemper does not say he wishes
To- see this alternative allowed us as a way
to make up the deficiency in our share of
5he national currency. He merely puts it
torth as privilege we might ask if the
Government withholds our share.
Upon the subjects Of the State debt and
Government expenses he hollis that the honor
If the State must be maintained, and sug-
rests subjects of retrenchment.
THE WATER LINE.
The Governor strongly and forcibly ur-
res the claims of tile Central Water-l up
in the Federal Government He contends
hat it should be maintained as national
waterway free to all the people,
CONCLUDING RECOMMENDATIONS.
The message concludes with various
special Communications as revising
;he oyster laar;; a .fred rate Of interest, the
speedy payment Of the senai-annual interest
IN the public debt; revisal of the iaarni-