The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-09-28
Albemarle.

The people OF Albemarle-Ndo not act as
rejecting men would say they should. In
their fair county there stands Monticello,
the home Of JEFFERSON, whose teachings in
political morality were Just, and whose zeal
for the promotion of public virtue was not
excelled in ardor by his love Of liberty.
Certainly those who revere his memory and
respect his political philosophy should not
be induced to scandalize their faith by
espousing plan for breaking down public
virtue and disbonoring Virginia. .,.:
Albemarle is the honored locality OF the
University OF Virginia, founded by the most
distin guished man that ever resided in the
county. That institution has been the pride
and net OF the State-nay Of the whole
Southland has received thousands OF dol
lars out Of the State Treasury. Even in
the hour Of her greatest adversely Virginia
has voted thousands to the maintenance OF
this splendid institution. For nearly nifty
wears, through the expenditure OF the mo-
new voted by the State, and through the
large expenditure OF the hundreds OF STU
dents who annually attended the UnlVer-
sity, the people OF Albemarle have derived
wealth and comfort abundantly. Ihey
have had market at their doors, their
lands have been improved, they have built
comely and comfortable houses, and pros
perity prevailed amongst them. Among
Virginia counties Albemarle became distln-
puished for peculiar advantages, social and
physical, and the traveller found constantly
within her borders objects OF admiration.
Assuredly county so blessed ought to
be the last to forget the bencficent source OF
her chiefest good. Arespectable portion OF
the public debt may be charged to the Uni
versty; debt, indeed, incurred by Vir-
ginia, but debt that has been continually
Welding income to the people Of Albemarle.
1t is surprising that majority Of the white
citizens Of that county-if We may consider
the Conservative Convention recently held
there as speaking the opinion Of the ma
iority-should nominate for the Senate OF
Virginia gentleman who denies the
sacredncss OF the public faith, and holds
that the State may fail to pay her debt with
out dishonor.
Not only has the Conservative convention
done this, but it has nominated this gentle
man 1.-THE Rev. Mr.. Massey, although he
ran as an Independent for the Legislature
in opposition to the regular Conservative
nomination, and was elected. All this is
unaccountabe.
We are proud of the University. 1t has
turned out the noblest among our public
men in the last fifty years. We can detach
this noble institution from the citizens OF
the county, and can feel that justice to the
illustriohs dead, justice to the nation, de-
mands that it shall be sustained for the good
it does. But we ask, How can the people of
Albemarle lay any claim to public liberality
for the institution on their account when
they bestow their appreciation and their
trust upon those who assist to destroy the
public credit? They may we'll consider the
question most patiently and .anxiously.
We trust that they may yet give proof OF
the just light in which they regard their
public relations. We are frank to say that
thus far they are prejudiced seriously by
their recent history. .' 100.