The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-01-01

all the other states and the government oil
the United States on the other. We earn.
estly seek to secure those relations upon
the only steadfast and sure basis Of equali-
ty of rights and benefits and mutually OF
confidence and respect between all the
members Of the Union. The highest in
terests of the whole country demand for
us the speedy establishment of such rela-
tons; for as our welfare for the future is
bound up in that of the United States, SO
the prosperity of the whole depends upon
the we'll being of each of its constituent
parts. The body of the Union cannot
have health so long as any member suffers.
AS the revival Of our material interests
concerns the whole Union, so do the re-
cognitien, and preservation, in the future,
ofthejust pride, self-respsct and integrity.of
our people; for states decay and men. de-
generate with the loss of independence Of
thought and pride of character. Whether
posterity shall adjudge us to have been
right or wrong in the opinions which en-
gagged us in war, yet if, as history
teaches, the noble virtues Of fortitude and
courage belong to no people capable
of Discrimination and treachery; if the vol
untary endurance of four years ordeal of
heroic suffering and sacrifice be proof of de-
votion and spirit Of honor, then the rec
ord of Virginia entities her to the respect
of mankind. Reluctant and slow to
draw the sword. Virginia furnished for
four years the chief theatre for the most
sanguinary and devastating civil war which
the modern history of the world records,
and her bosom bore the deepest wounds its
blows inflicted. With the ACKNOWLEDGMENT
of her territory, the vast destructionof pub
lie and private property and other greater
losses within her borders, her hereditary
system of labor, her social pollty, her
banking Capital and circulating medium
were annlhilated at blow. As the con-
hict of arms closed, her sons returned to
the runs which were once their homes,
and then and since have applied them
selves to the pursuits of peace with in.
dustry, prudence and order such as are
not paralleled in any history of periods
next succeeding similar wars. In no in
stance has turbulence or commotion or
any combination against public authority
had organized existence among our people.
Neither eherishing resentments nor repin-
ing over the irrevocable past abating no
jot of self-respect; yielding to no act of
establishment; recognizing the indissolu-
BILE bond by which the destinies Of Virginia
are bound up with those of the Republic;
thew have with true and brave hearts and
with uplifted brows sworn their fidelity to
the restored Union they have sternly &C.
commodated themselves to their altered
political relations, and have striven to
bring order out of chaos and veal out Of
ruin by the faithful performance of every
obligation. 1t is with the confidence which
conscious self-respect inspires, it is in the
spirit that becomes men, that we boldly
claim reciprocity of respect and respectful
good will between our fellow-citizens oil
the North and ourselves. What we want
is peace with honor; not the name and
forms, but the living realities Of peace. I
is cause for congratulation that, in every
section of the country, the passions engen-
dered by war have seemed to be passing
away; aad it is not to be doubted that
sooner or later, heroic deeds and qualities
on whatever side of the conflict or by
whomsoeyer achieved and illustrated, will
be preserved by the whole Republic as
memorials of common glory.
With government of equal laws and
with order and tranquility firmly estab-
lished within our borders, with ardent
desires for universal reconciliation, with
hopeful auguries for the future, we invite
immigrants from whatever section of our
common country and of whatever nation
atty to cast their fortunes with ours. Let
the living tides of immigration come. We
vouch to all a cordial welcome and ample
guarantees of life, liberty and the pursuit
Of happiness, whatever their political OF
religious affiliations of the past, present OF
future.
The natural advantages and resources o.
our state speak for themselves. Fol
variety and fertility of soils, for diversity
and peculiar value of agricultural pro-
auctions, for salubrity and mildness of 3
climate exempt equally from the rigors and
diseases prevalent in many northern
southern and western sections, for vast
various and easily accessible mineral
wealth, for superiority and abundance Of
water-power and other requisites for I'm.
limited manufacturing enterprises, for
number, volume and depth Of niaigable
rivers and excellence OF ports and harbors,
for all natural facilities for the develop
ment of internal and foreign commerce
and material prosperity and power, Vir-
ginia may safely challenge, not only
examination, but comparison with any
other equal area on the earth's surface.
POLITICAL PARTY RELATIONS.
The duties imposed upon us in the ex-
listing crisis, involving the reconstruction
of the foundations of society, impel us to
be guided by higher considerations than
ordinarily control political party organiza-
tons. Of the people who confided to us
our present trusts, great majority is not
identified with any existing national politi-
cal party; and although they were former.
ly divided among opposing parties, they
now stand united upon common Conserva-
tive principles. Adhering to those prin.
ciples, Virginia seeks these ends:-to
secure and maintain her full constitutional
rights and relations, and to perform all her
constitutional duties, as one of the CO.
equal members of the Union to exercise
all rightful powers of self-government and
to determine, adjust and regulate the inter-
nal, domestic and municipal interests OF
her people, their relations and rights, in
GLIDING such as are known as civil rights,
in strict conformity to the Federal constitu-
ton and the late decision of the Supreme
court OF the United States expounding re-
cent amendments thereto, and the respect
i've powers of the Federal and state govern
ments Hereunder; to obtain an equitable
settlement of her just claims against the
common government to promote universal
reconciliation upon the basis of equal
justice to all the states and people |:
to cultivate harmonious relations with