The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-10-06
The Condition of Things.


,>r,..danted. There is great deal OF bath
Or and a world OF senseless talk while there
is really no solid ground to rest the viva
on;n;ons of excitablc politicians upon. II
IS Ike running the burr-stones with oil the
force OF the mill while there IS not grain
., wheat in the hopper. Politicians are
counting without their host, and when the
LEGISLATURE meets state OF things VIII DC
found to exist that few men have contcm-
plated.
Tn campaign surrounded by so much
uncertainty. the greater the excitement the
more apparent the folly. The state eiche'
has been received with general appreciation
nv all truly reasonable and calm people,
while some persons have objected to the
nominee for ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, and some
others to the nominee for Acknowledgement,
because of peculiar views on the subject OF
the State debt. We consider this the result
q, marty ascerbity or want OF knowledge
OF the real opinions OF the gentlemen. AS
we understand them, we are entlrelyssatls-
fed with both General FIELD and General
WALKER with regard to the questions OF
public honor and State obligation. We are
not vain, but suspect that II we are salts
fed there is really no great reason for grum-
bling by anybody else.
WHY not, then. have a united ticket and
harmonious election? This is the best for
us all, and for the preservation Of the peace
and order Of the community. For one, we
cannot see the use Of State canvass by the
gentlemen whose names are upon the State
ticket. II any OF them would like to &C
amongst the people and talk to them, and
exploit their oratory amongst them, II
would not hurt them to do so. We think
it might do them good. Disappointed men
and soreheads may be drawing ugly pic
lures Of them; and when the people heal
them and see them they will see that the!
are marvellous proper gentlemen and true
patriots. But this is not necessary. The
neigllborhood turbulence that may lead to
indcpendent nominations will be too wei
understood to give to these dignity. The
people of Virginia will see that they are
based upon affiliations that are not consist
ent with loyalty and the best interests OF
the people, and they will find very little
support.
We repeat that bitter contest while we
have no clear division presented to the
State will not be productive OF good. No
man can tell at this time what will be the
attitude of the financial question in Decem-
Der. We think that men expect to be called
upon 10 act upon view OF public affairs
that will be wholly changed when the Le-
gislature meets. In that event LET us hope
that gentlemen will be entirely free to act
for the good Of the State. We know too
well the personal partisanry that infests
Virginia now. Let us hope that men may
come to the Legislature as lightly tram
meled by the debasng personal obligations
as possible, and that they will be left at
least to respectable degree OF freedom to
serve their State and labor for the good OF
society. Assuredly general scrimmage
will be anything but favorable to this most
desirable condition Of the legislative mind.
We do trust that there are true and brave
men in every locality, and that they will in
their sphere stand up for truth and public
integrity. We do not despair of this-very
far from it. Nor let us suppose that the peo-
pie of Virginia have become an unthinking
people. They should consider these times.
Let them retire within their own consciences
and interrogate themselves Us to whether
they have given honest returns and mean to
sustain the honor OF their State with the de-
yotion with which they regard their own.
Let them, if they are religious men, ask
themselves is it right to favor faithlessness
OF any kind, public or private, and whether
that would be good for society-whether
their children would be better for being
raised amidst recklesSness Of moral re-
straints and general desire to throw OIL
honest obligations-and whether public dis
honesty is not the companion OF private
faithlessness. Let the voters OF Virginia do
this, and let the campaign be as free from
excitement as possible, and we need not fear
the result
Let members come here with no reckless
pledges. II they so come they cannot re-
view the real condition OF the State without
feeling constrained to stand by right and
Justice and the welfare OF Virginia.
There is too much confusion about the
lines Of demarcation amongst the views OF
gentlemen. A dishonest Virginian IS
wretch; but give US man who has some
principle in his breast, and when the issue
comes between the honor and happiness OF
Virginia on the one hand, and her degrade
ton on the other, and we will bet on that
Virginian standing nobly by his grand old
,rofhar