The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-07-31

Virginia ii az Exig


Virginia n an E,xigalcy
It's period of sadness Tor irginia. fn g.
soe;sl revolution which has allen upon her,
!. AM, ii,s conseduencss, have terribly affected
nor nublic character. That is impaired 70 3 9
!. degree we had never supposed possible ~
flId Virginia, when her sons went TO war
I'VE had supposed it was with fun reflection
and d manly resolve to triumph, or, failing.
TO meet tie conseq,ien as men OF honor,
MS Vsrgfnians; and that had been always
considered by us as being all that was hon.
orable and heroic. 60.
We confess our disappointmentin great
degree; for amongst those from whom we
had expected to see the highest proofs OF
Integrity and nobility Of manhood we have
seen the most ignoble abandonment OF true
heroisu and honor. The class OF men
upon whom we relied for the highest dis.
play of the virtues which we cherished las as
;yirginian Just as the old Romans styled the
same virtues Roman were those who were
ready to fight upon the ninth part OF a hair
upon the matter Of honor. Having done
more to bring on war than others, some
amongst them have been foremost to seek
to avoid the logical consequences OF war.
War always involves the danger OF defeat,
and true men never go TO war without
thinking OF the possibility OF that. But
our eager, precipitate war men IN
too many cases show themselves utterly
incapable OF that high bearing and
"God-likc" fortitude which makes men
great in adversely. They cravenly shirk
the fate they provoked. They deny
the logic OF their own acts and hy from
their private and public Obligations as they
would from plague. Oh, shame to all who
make by their conduct the degra-."s con-
fession that they are not equal to the ext
gency they have inyited-that they are not
capable OF rising to the height OF their OBJ
legations at time when they are entirely
without excuse for failure to acquit them
selves as Yirginians. Many Of this class OF
citizens are found in the ranks OF that party
OF forcible readiusters and clanorers for
unlimited issues OF money that they may be
relieved from all the terrible consequences
of defeat in the war which they themselves
were prominent agents in bringing upon
the land.
This is fearful fact in Virginia. 1t is
Notifying in the last degree. Virginia
honor we bad almost idolized. 1t seemed
to us the bright mark that capped the most
elevated Of ali human virtues. In no other
land, il seemed to us, was there such honor
az in Old Virginia. The test to which it has
been subjected in the trial Of war has
twinei with the brilliant hues OF our flr-
sinia slories the sad sign OF despair and
faithlessness. The defenders OF public
honor have become the assailants OF public
yirtue-the advocates OF justice are con-
verified into the doors Of wrong. The in
trepid guardians Of integrity and purity
have Joined the assailants OF both and are
ready to purchase peace and rest by sacri-
ticins both public and private honor, and
reposing in the camp OF the army that
makes war upon all.faith and is seeking to
break down tue protecting walls OF civilized
society.
The picture is. alas, too true. And what
do the men OF little faith and little reason
hope to gain by their disgraceful surrender
OF their principles? Defeat in war was bad
and notifying; but what was that COM
pared with the surrender OF manly virtue
and public duty? Absolutely, nothing. II
we 60 on, and the State is made to stand
before the world as dishonored and dis
graced, how will the people stand it? How
will the truant and faithless sons Of Viz
ginia themselves stand it? Have they no.
thing at stake? Have they not families
sons and daughters-to be proud or
ashamed of their nativity, just as Virginia
may be honored or despised?
Let all classes OF men-those who are seek
ing to do that by which Virginia is to be
reduced to degradation and disorder as we'll
as those who are at time OF immense peril
endeavoring to defend her-retlect upon the
injury to all interests, public and private,
that must follow the success OF the reckless
advocates Of public dishonor. The reflec-
tion will help to strengthen the arms OF the
loyal and wise citizens. who fight for Vir-
ginia, while it should paralyze the strength
and resolution Of those weak-minded and
weak-bearted men who forget their public
duty, and are ready to sacrifice both public
and private honor in the prosecution of
their plans for their own personal gratifica-
ton.
The men who are agitating for the public
dishonor could only achieve success by
bringing blight upon the most rIchiy-en-
dowed State in the Union. Unthrift, dis
order, general decay, and popular distress
would fall upon everybody, and the once
proud Virginia would appear in the chains
of disgrace, surrounded by the weeds Of
decay, instead OF standing forth as the
proud and unstained Commonwealth, happy
in her peace and prosperity. smiling with
affection and pride upon her sons-her
brightest jewels.
Nothing can bring disgrace upon Vir-
ginia bat the iathlessness and depravity OF
her sons. Up to the war her record was
without spot. The war added to her repu-
tation for heroism and honor. Shall they
after all this be stained and tainted by the
madness, fi not the recreapcy, OF her sons? ?
Shall the want OF resolution amongst her
sons to stand by the consequences OF war,
shall treachery to public and private honor,
shall treachery to the welfare and the bright
;ryo1,,a bar hopo, OIL