The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1874-04-30

that the present generation cannot take care of
themselves, but must hang on to the notions
of past generation, is to confess that we are
generation OF intellectual babies. There are
three features in the constitution that will a.
tone for all its defects-the free school system,
the inhibition OF the States credit to works
of internal Improvement, and the ballot system;
and these would be the very first that the
statesmen he suggests would attack. Such
men as we call statesmen in Virginia now
are always prating about our s'forefathers.,'-
Well, they were very good men, and their no
lions suited the age they lived in. But we
want now no feudal or baronial, or caste priv
ilegcs. This is a government of the people, and
it is only within the past few years that the
true idea OF our democratic system has been
brought into practical application. We have
not the space, however, to go into a discussion
Of the Governors proposition. 1t will not a.
mount to anything tangible.
COD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIvER.-The Bal
timore episcopal Methodist, 2 refers to an ar
ticle, in the Nashville Christian Advocate, writ
ten by DIR. Summers, concerning the Mount
Vernon Church, (Methodist,) in Washington
City, to which is appended the following
s!We learn that the trustees have set apart in
a most desirable part of the spacious church, a
Memorial Pew with the name of William
Mines, jr., inscribed upon it. This was done
as compliment to Mr.. Mines for his handsome
subscription of 81, 000."
The liberality of Mr. Mines like the ocean,
cannot be confined to narrow limits. He has
assisted in building every church in Page and
the adjoining counties, that has applied to him
for aid; besides large sums have been distribute
ted by him for other purposes, which he beliey-
ell would turn out to the good Of the people,
He has big head, a generous heart and long
pocket, which he fills by his energy and atten-
ton to business, and then acts as if these words
Of inspiration were ever before his eyes, s'God
loveth cheerful giver." Page Courier.
During the recent session Of the Baltimore
Conference i'll this city, Mr.. Mines made very
liberal contributions to the various interests Cd
the body, the amount of the check he gave
reaching to over 500. He expressed pleas
ure that he had attended Conference, and that
| it was in his power to aid in unfolding the
ministry, and contributing his share to the
general interest Of the cause OF religion. Such
men are real benefactors, and upon whom the
favors OF fortune are worthily bestowed.
Too MUCH MUTUAL ADMIRATIoN.-The
judge elected in Mahood's place is member Of
the Legislature, Of course. The present door
keeper acas member Of the Legislature. And
SO on. 1t is getting monotono,ls.
There is i divergence of opinion about the
Legislature, 1t is clear that they rate them
selves sanhedrn of Solomons Some folks
liken them to a corral of colored Kentucky
colts.
When there is vacant office, the selection is
confined to the assembled wisdom," taking il
for granted the cities and counties are enptied
of virtue and brains when they are in session.
There ought to be vacuum in the rural dis
tricts when the Capitol has sucked up so much
wind.
Blair is good enough, but the custom Is dis
graceful.-Ler. Gazette
What does our contemporary think of the ap-
pointment of seven members OF the Legislature
to make new constitution for the people of
Virginia? The Governor very unwisely recon-
mended the selection of seven statesmen for
that purpose, and forthwith the Legislature
concluded that he meant seven of their own
number, and made the selection. That looks
like running the mutual admiration society y
business into the ground.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.-The
State Journal Of the 25th, has the following
1t is stated that the Joint committee of the
General Assembly on constitutional amend
ments, after considering the Governors recent
message ON that subject, have appointed a
committee of it's own body to perform the SER
vice recommended by the Governor This
self-appointed body will report to the next
General Assembly. The committee consists OF
III. w. Thomas, chairman Senate committee
J. H. Dooiey, chairman House committee; A.
II. II. Stuart, L. J. Kirkpatrick, W. B. Talia-
ferro, S. Ii. Boykin, aud G. G. Wharton.
This is certainly cool, if true. The Governor
recommended that Statesmen be appointed
to make the revision, and the Legislature have
concluded that there arc none OF that class in
Virginia out of their own circle. 1t is a very
foolish business, all round. In the first place,
there is no necessity for such acomnission. and
next, the men appointed can lay no claim to
craftsmanship" 1t will prove dangerous
experiment to submit the framing of the funda-
mental law of the State to Il few obstruction
politicians. 1t is an outrage upon the people,
and will be condemned without stint.
CHARLES SUD1NER.-M Monday last was devo-
ted, in Congress, to eulogies upon the late
Charles Sumner. Some OF them were very fine,
especially that OF Mr. Dawes, in the House.
Mr.. Lamar, Of Mississippi,also delivered very
feeling tribute to the deceased statesman. In
the South, however, the present generation
will never do justice to the character of Charles
Sumner. 10 our mind, impartially and calmly
considering his intellect, his attainments and
his devotion to the principle OF liberty. he has
never had peer. History will place him
among the foremost statesmen and patriots OF
the age In which he lived. As Mr. Lamar said
he was "born to freedom''-it was intuition
with him as well as conviction, and he followed
his convictions through obloquy, detraction and
assault, with mistaken and unvarying tread.
until the great aim Of his life was consupl,naa-
ted,
/ a NORTHERN GALE-A severe and de-
stslctive storm passed over several of the
Northern states on Sunday last. Snow and
sleet fell at Boston to the depth OF Is inches.--
At Philadelphia several houses Were f.nroofed
and two or three blown down. At Poughkeep-
sic, N. Y, snow fell to the depth Of feet
At Remington, VT, steeple 100 feet high
was demolished, and falling on an adjoining
residence, crushed the roof. The snow drifted
to the depth of ten feet.
The EFFECTS J.. Powers & Son,