The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-09-24
GOVERNOR MATHEWS SPEECH.

Vlrginians, to which the Governor re-
piled rs follows:
GOVERNOR MATHEWS SPEECH.
,Tldge Jackson. FsiLo1o- Citizens, Vtr-
qt,sialls, Descendants of Virginia and Ken
tuckiaus:-Your kind words and this
scene affect me deeply. When l sc-
ceeted III invitation to this city, l knew
enough OF Kentucky 10 know that much
would be done for the comfort and pleas.
ure-the entertainment OF the strangers
within your gates, but l had
lao adequate conception OF the
kindness, the cOrdIsity, the mag
nltude OF the demonstration with which
the President WAS welcomed. APP
plausel The like, dare say, has never
been witnessed In any city on the con-
tinent. App ause. 1t was proper
respect SHOWN not only to the office o!
Chief Magistrate but it evinced deter
minatioR on the part OF the people to
cure good will between the races and
ali sections throughout this land. APP
plause.l IL slgnited, my tellow-citizens
that the era OF corrupt politics had closed
applause that n new standard had been
erected; that higher moral tone WAS
apprenticeship the political atmosphere,
so long heavy with the bad passions of
creed and corruption, was being purified
Tapplausel; that all were united in the
bonds OF peace and reconciliation
throughout the land, and that there was
good will to all men irrespective OF party
choice and political creed. Appause
| came here, my friends, TO see some
thing of the great State OF Kentucky, to
visit for the first time this beautiful, pres.
porous and growing State, already re-
uowned throughout our land tor her
generous hospitality, for the high integ-
ritv. the ability, the intelligence, and the
patriotism of her men, and the beauty
and retirement of her women. Crest
applause | desired to visit some OF my
eal lest and best friends, nay attachment
TO whom began in the unseltsh period If
college lite, and winch has grown with
my growth NJ straightforward with my
strength. L desired to mingle again with
those to whom am bound by the ties
which unite men who nave stood together
AID have had the same experience IN the
late war. Loud applause And now |
know that no,hIng OF West Virginia will
De unacceptable to kentucKisns. l have
no, met IN Virginia or West VlrgiRls q
family which was not united by tics
either of marriage or birth with
Kentucky. | do lot know OF II
4 stiuguished statesman in Virginia
Nho, in serving Virginia, has not served
and reflected iustre upon Kentucky.
r Applause ! do not know OF
a Kentucky gentleman who has not hon
ored Virginia through his ancestors aud
hes kindred. Applause The fame,
the traditions, the history, the glory Of
Virginia are by every law of descent
and distribution, the heritage OF Ken
lucky and West Virginia. Applause.
At the close OF the war, AS my irIend
has said, many OF us in Virginia found
ourselves within the limits OF State, In
the formation of which we had no par
ticipation, and which was created out OF
the territory of Virginia. For time
we suffered rs no other people, pre-
sumo, have suffered. You and l, sir.
were unable to practice eur professions.
No one could teach school; no one could
bring suit; no one could engage IL any
business, scarcely, without taklrg d test
oath. But l do not desire TO refer to
these unpleasant occurrences OF the past.
We accepted the existence OF that State
~ one of the results of the war, IN per-
feet rood faith. We have gone to work
desiring to make West Virginia the
worthy daughter OF Virgins and the
worthy sister OF Kentucky. Applause.
| am glad to be able to inform you that
the old State is again prosperous. No
state has ever been subjected TO so severe
al ordeal In 1861, when the conflict
came she barred her bosom; she saw her
sons sacrifice their lives for
her: she saw her fields
devastated; her towns and cities depopu-
lated the rule OF the bsyonet for n time
superseded the reign of law. And again
wneu prosperity seemed TO dawn on her,
the blood clouds OF heaven swept over
her, and then in an evil hour, rs
il implacable sfate lowered over her,
the walls OF her capitol Crumbled and
buried in its ruins many OF her dearest
and best sons War and misfortune
have enviroued her, but thank heaven,
she emerges from them all, with her
brow raised proudly, her heart undsunt-
ed and her honor unspotted, as when In
the height of her renown before the war,
all within her borders were JOY, prosper
lily and peace, Applause.
But why should l undertake to speak
of Virginia to Nirginjans, descendants
of Virginians and Kentuckisns?
" An angels heart, an angels mouth,
Not HOmer's could alone for me;
To nae the Confederate South,
Virginia and Lee" lApplauSe.l
thank you, my fellow citizens, tor
this cordial greeting. l will carry with
me from Kentucky the most pleasant
impressions of scenes which | have wit
messed. and the most grateful recollec-
tions of this occasion. Applause.
At the conclusioe OF Governor Msth-
ews' remarks, those present were for
mallv introduced to him by Judge Jack
son, and little time spent in social
conversation.
EKunaway wives In South Africa.
Natal Mercury.
Eight more of the wives of Nosingela,
KIM of tho Manuta river lately de-