Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-01-08
The State of Virginia.

|
We find in the Lancaster pa Inegencer
very kind and complimentary editorial based
on the recent inaugural message Of Governor
Kemper:
| Of the inaugural it says that it twill be heard
by many more than the few Virginians who
were assembled in the contracted chamber which
gave echo to the wonderful eloquence Of Patrick
Henry There, with the eyes of the whole nation
upon him, Virginia soldier spoke with voice
as clear and fearless as that which gave COM
mand upon the field of battle Rising to the full
height Of the occasion ne boldly proclaimed the
future policy of the State which has given to
America many of its plofoundest statesmen, and
which properly bears rs her proud title 'I'he
Mother Of Presidents
The following portion of the article we give
entire, assuring its author that it will meet with
a response in the hearts of all Virginians who
read it:
"Virginia was the battlefield of the late war.
Her fields were fought over until half her soil
was Redeemed by the flow of fratrcidal blood.
Throughout her fine valleys, blsckened Chin
neys rose like lonely sentinels, to tell where her
proud ancestral homes once welcomed every
guest to their ptabe portals Devastated, bare,
showing all the marks of devastation which war
cruelty waged can bring, Virginia lay PROSTATE
at the close of the war Mutitudes of her
best and bravest sons were slumbering peacefully
beside the bright streams which sung to them u
perpetual lullaby. Those who were left,
broken band of brothers, separated with fearful
eyes and breaking hearts 1T Appomsttox Court
House, while their conquerors made trlumphal
marches through the streets OF the National cap
ital.
Never did men accept any difficult and en-
barrassng situation with more mani ~ courage
than the soldiers of Virginia displayed after the
war was over Beating their swords into plough
shares and turning their spears into pruning
hooks they proceeded at once, with nlmbe aiac-
rity, to repair the ravages which y war OF four
long and bloody years had brought upon their
beloved land. From the hour of Lees surreni-
or until the present, there have been no more
truly loyal and trustworthy men in this Union
than the native Virginisns, who barred their bcs-
oms in q cause which they firmly believed to be
just.
with the inauguration of Governor kemper,
this class of men have come into possession OF
their own again. From this time forward, Vlr-
gnis will DO ruled more wisely than 1t could De
if put under the control of men in whom her poo
pie lack confidence. In his inaugural, Governor
kemper clearly indicates what will be the future
policy of Virgins. He declares that 1t will be
broadly liberal and progressive, protecting all
men in every right that is guaranteed to them;
he pledges himself that those who were once
slaves shall not lack opportunity to fit themselves
for citizenship he cordially invites emigration
and capital from the North, and lays down B
line of policy that will be fully endorsed by the
ward in the grand career that lies open before
her. No portion of the United States can beast
of equal natural advantages. Her valleys are rs
fair al any that the sun shines upon, and her
hills have hidden within them m ineral wealth
that surpasses even that of Pennsylvania With
delicious climate and every inducement that
can be presented she must speedily attract an
immense tide of emigration, and may bs proper,
ly considered a. standing just upon the threshold
of a new career of great and constantly ncreas-
no oil
promises to surpass that of The Old Dominion"
ANHCDoTE OF CAPTAIN JACK. The execu-
ton of Captain Jack, must have suggested to
the few savages who assisted as spectators OF
the ceremony curious ideas as to the character
of that Eastern people which sends them so
many and various samples OF its civilization.
There is first the trader then the missionary,
then the soldier, then the newspaper CORES
pondent, then the haugman, and lastly the
embalmer; but the army officials prevented the
embslmiug enterprise from being consummat-
ed; and so the Boston man who fastened by
rail for that purpose was prevented from max
ing fortune by exhibiting the carcass Of the
else his professional skill, and could have sup
pemented it by securing the original or an ex-
act imitation OF the gallows on which the expia
ton was made he could have realized more
during these panic times than even MIR. Barnum
has by bis excessive circus on Fourth avenue.
| Captain Jack was certainly a cunning Indian
and looked more to results than to the equity
of their attainment The day previous to his
execution the post chaplain was doing his best
to prepare the captain for the fatal hour, and
; narrated to him the beauties of the heavenly
kingdom. The tale seemed not only to inter
est, but to effect the tawny wretch, who asked
the chaplain if be knew all about the happy
land and the Heavenly Father. The Chaplain
said be thought be did. well, said Captain
Jack, you know all bout Him; me give you
ten horses, you take my place tomorrow.
Desirable as horses are on the plains, the chap
lain did not encourage the idea of exchange,
and intimated that the programme dcclued upon
by the military court would have to be carried
out. The Captain suggested that ''swop"
was the best be could do, and resigned himself
to his doom -Hu,per's Magazine.
THE WEST VIRGINIA ELECTION LAWS
The West Virginia contest has at last cuInlna-
ted in division of the Committee on Elections,
and in consequence three distinct reports will
| be rendered to the House, each failing to re-
eeive the signatures of a majority OF the com
mittee. After elaborate arguments by Judge
Shellabarger in favor of the validity of the o.
tober election, and Hon. H. E. Paine, engaged
| by those elected 10 August the committee yes
tsrday came to vote, and neither election was
subs.antiated by the requisite majority. The
proposition to seat those members elected IN
August was largely defeated, only two mem
bers voting afirmatively, and the members
chosen in October were also rejected, only four
"ayes" being cast. As these votes Indicate,
large proportion of the committee are 10 favor
of declaring both elections irregular, and re-
mauding the contestants to the people OF West
Virginia, to abide the issue OF new election.
The committee will meet on Monday next to
consider the reports drawn up 10 consequence
with the diversity of views developed, and the
entire matter will be left for the disposition of
the House.