The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-11-16
governor HolIday---The Legislature

f,ovarnor Holiday---Ihe Legislature.
'--fsovernor HoLbipAr, upon the occasion
., . serenade by his fellow.citizens OF Win
chester. acknowledged tho compliment IN q
very proper speech. in which he aYo VOW .
drm faith in che future and In the controls
ling power Of. the GENIUS OF VIRGINIA tnas
will come forth from ner trials crowned
with victory alright as the sum- ia.l - 'oe
moon. and terrible as an army Win pam
ners." His faith Is Just, aud e&acsly 'n oa
which we have with unvary'ng cons'a'''y
treasured in our heart.
fsovcrror HOLIDAY merely touches the
no;nt that he had made no canvass "1or
reasons satisfactory to himself" We 1usti.
fed this policy, and we are sure time VIII
ysnd;cate the wisdom Of 1t. Weare firmly
q, opinion that it would have been serious
,ydetrimental to have had war within our
own ranks and amongst our own people
concerning the fanciful views OF gentlemen
and the many shades OF difference as to the
financial condition OF the State. Far better
is it to trust to the men who were eiected
under the sporadic and local excitements
than to have had q general agitation. ana OF
course rival tickets for State Offices as well
n, al, others, to perplex the people and en-
barrass State policy. Gentlemen OF different
opinion may lay the flattering JUNCTION to
their souls that harm would not have come
from an active war upon the financial ques-
tiop. We believe that they are in error. 1t
il not certain what troubles and possible
results might have come OF such agitation.
Asst Is we elect the State ticket by major
ity that will give to the Executive added
force and dignity, and tend to harmonic
the legislative and executive departments
by the existence Of that respect which Will
engeuder sincere efforts to accomplish what
vii! be for the good and prosperity OF the
Commonwealth.
The gentlemen elected to the Legislature
will come together with various views and
shades Of opinion that will have to be
brought out and compared. There Is not.
we suppose, single ayowed repudiator
amongst them, and hardly any who boldly
and unqnaIihedIy demand what is called
"enforced equity" With the comparison
OF opinions and deliberate consideration
OF the public exigency, together with the
obligation to preserve the. honor OF the
Commonwealth and the welfare Of the peo-
ple. we cannot believe that the representa-
tives in the Legislature will do that which
will be disastrous OF hurtful to State or peo-
Die. But suppose there had been bitter
conflict with parties supporting cearly-de-
lined schemes, Il very different state OF
things might have arisen. 1t is not certain
what sort OF triumph might have resulted.
and parties after the election would have met
in no conciiatory spirit, but animated by
pass,ons that would have blinded the iudg-
ment and excluded the object of promoting
the public good, while unworthy motives
would have directed legislative action.
Governor HOLIDAY is correct, and we may
we'll congratulate the State upon the exist
epce of q temper and circumstances that en-
courage the hope Of the spirit OF concilia-
ton and deIiberation which must almost
surely lead to wise and patriotic legislation.
W
capital speech OF our newly-elected Cover
nor:
THE SPEECH.
After an introduction to the assembly by
Captain j. n. WILLIAMS, and the subsi-
dence OF the applause which followed, Gov
ernor HOLIDAY said:
MY Friends,-I thank you for the honor
you confer upon me tonight. I thank my
distinguished friend for the very graceful
and eloquent manner in which he has COM
municated your congratulations.
A few months ago you assembled on this
spot to congratulate me on my nomination ;
you meet now to congratulate me on my
election as Governor OF Virginia. am
greatly honored in both, and trust may not
prove unworthy.
have been singuIarly bonored, too, IN
having had no opposition. For reasons sat-
isfactory to myself have made no canvass.
Not that had any wish to conceal my views
for they had been uttered both before and
after the nomination in manner not to De
misunderstood. 1t was not my fault II they
were. y .
In the contest just ended have never ap-
pretended, nor do l now apprenena, any
ultimate trouble There Is an Unborn pa-
triotism belonging to every Virginian that
makes him put the honor and fair name OF
his State above all price and every other
consideration. They were won by the for
titude and blood Of noble ancestry; they
nave heen the cherished birthright of their
children. and will be, hope, for genera.
tions to come: They have given to our
commonwealth whatever OF glory is hers,
and cannot, be bartercd for mess OF pot.
tage. ,ys. -, ,,,ss
when the Legislature meets, and the
smoke OF the strife has drifted away, and
the chosen rulers look upon the face Of that
Genius whose features have never been
marred by the touch of shame, then the
questions that have so long yexed the minds
OF the people will be settled, and Virginia,
as SO often before, will come forth crowned
with another victory bright as the sun,
fair as the moon, and terrible as an army
with banners"
There is a grand future before US il we
are true to ourselves and to her. A terri
tory unsurpassed in beauty and fertility; q
sea-front whose harbors can gather the
wealth of continent and send it forth upon
the white-winged messengers OF commerce
to the farthest borders OF the habitable
globe, or can beckon with hospltable hand
to the labor and capital Of the world to
come and enjoy with US the rich heritage;
population OF sturdy yeomen and Guilt
waited scholars; the respect Of all men for
deeds OF yalor and words and works of
wisdom; all these will be remembered when
the time for action comes, and the threat
ened danger will vanish.
Let US all, whatever be our lot, whether
khoo khnr fhn,x ~. h. 10