The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1874-09-17
Virginia and the South.

VAC were prominent IN the commence OF tdle
,sople aad the attention Of the nation, before ]
Ike war, il that they do not consider present /
llestiJils Of public policy and the condition OF
ne country in the light ofsprrounding events. 3
rley forget or ignore the fact that there has
been great civil war, revolutionising the So ,
clal. industrial and political systems OF the /
South. In giving expression to their views as |
% the situation, they do so from standpoint /
that does not exist. failing to recognize that
The civil strife which spread its desolations and
MORNINGS throughout both sections, culsnina-
ted in the triumph of the ideas and sentiments
sgainst which they protested II fought The
basis OF adjustment presented imine'lately at
ter the war, by the conquering section, and ac-
cepted blythe South contained the expression
of the principles and thoughts, in contilct 1T is
true. with our traditional sentiments, and con-
yictions, but regarded by the power presenting
it, as the groundwork offuture Union and ma
tional fraternity. It could not, Iii reason. have
been expected that we would be consulted as
to the terms of that adjustment. The purpose
was to embody the political views Of the power !
against which we had contended-to blot from
our political system the cause OF hostilities,and |
H. reg llate the new condition of things by'm ma
king the prescribed race an element OF selt-de- |
fence, to perpetuate the results OF the conflict.
d It was deemed expedient by the people of
Virginia and the South to accept the proffered
terms, and to Incorporate the conditions into
the organic law OF the State, surrounded by all
the sanctities which pertain to the enactment
OF legislation so grave. This acceptance was
consummated by legislative and popular agen- /
cses-formilated by statutes and confirmed at
The 'ballot-box. ~. p 70 ls..' fti't
Having in this solemn manner given assu-
rance of an honest purpose to conform our po-
ltical &C .ionto this new condition of things, it
was plainly our duty, as we'll az our interest, to
look for,oard from this standpoint, and not
backward. The past had nothing for us but
regrets, dark and gloomy memories of our own
folly and haste, from which could only springa
brood of heart-burnings and self-reproaches.-
The future demanded OF us to forget the past.
We were starting political life new-were
dealing with new ideas, which required vigo-
= Nss mental activities, to mould and utilize in
which the lights surrounded US, anil which de-
handed all the moral heroism that is implied
in fighting against and colquering prejudice 9.
which had 'sgrewn with our growth and
strengthened with our strength" for century
past. The people of Virginia started bravely
in the new line of duty. They accepted the
situation--the 'tCommttee of Nine" caught
the great truth and gave it practical application.
The people accepted if, and the promise at one
time was that Virginia would goforward with
une1ampled prosperity aaaer the inspiration OF
y new and more vigorous dispensation North
ern enterprise and capital were turned in this
drection-many good citizens sought adoption
for the purpose OF lending their aid and ener-
gies to the development of the wonderful
wealth of the, mnoawealth, and sharing in
The harvest shat was promised. The fraakness
and readiness with which Virginia recognized
the inevitable and irreversible facts of the war
her open and undisgused acceptance Of the
situation, and.the activity with which she en-
braced the duty of the hour, seemed to attract
attention from all sections of the country and
give assurance of an era of unprecedented prog
ress and prosperity in all tn 1t constitute
people great and strong. aao o. ao.6s2 -H4
ditt~ lOl lasC hiiu iehtS PiO9
perity of the State, this feeling seems to have
been but spasm. = It did not spring from a
deep and ineffacable conviction. No sooner had
the State been admitted to her sovereign privi-
leees, and the power Of domestic control asser-
ted. than the old scheming politicians, who had
exercised control before the war, began to
creep to the surface. The people, who lead in
Nia sororo,,o offorto ~ rnv;uo tbn hrol-au
tunes of the State, seemed indisposed to con-
test for political position, and by degrees the
work OF reaction commenced, until Virginia
to-day is in worse condition than she was at
the close of hostilifies. Preiudices and passions
a-c controlling, instead OF practical sense, and
these are driving away not only those who had
located among us. but the young and vigorous
arrns aRd minds of@oar own people, who see
nothing but future stagnation for the common
wealth nnder tho dominion Of partizan zealots,
who care for nothing but their own selfish
ends. - ns'9oia, s.4 e'ia
We have been lead into these reflections from
fcading the result Of an interview between
Hon. R. M. T. Hunter of Virginia, and cor
respondent of the New York Herald. Mr.. |
Hunter appears to recognize noting but that
such men as himself are not in controlling po-
sitions. That seems to be the great source of
his gloomy forebodings. Had he and others
who exercised ~inaueriee in bringing disaster
upon the country. been honest. in their accep-
lance of the amendments to the constitution
given advice aud .conformed their action to the
spirit OF that legislation-had had the manhood I
to rise above petty sectional .prejudices. and |
look bravely in the face Of irreveisible events.
he might have atonedfer many Of the fatal fall
iasies to which he has given the countenance of |
his fine intellect. But he is too much under
the domipion Of narrow sectionalisms-the
of the past--to receive into his mind |
The robust, live. progressive thoughts which
spring from active association and contact with |
f1c events which surrosslld us. OF what practi-
sal s,se are his sicklY repinings and gloomy
'ighs over what might nave been? We must
teal with the present., grapple with its facts,
md push forward inte,tsle futnre that is linked
Q it by the circumstances growing out of ac-
smplished facts = q tis
Had Mr.. Hunter and men Of his recogized
vorsh and ability, followed their acceptance of
he constitutional sanendlnents in 1850 hy COM
,Aring views with the President and men Of
political sympathy with the administration,