The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-01-30

j pay. IL now unable, NE can by frugaIit,
land economy lop off expenses, and by in
4 dustry and ENTERPRISE make provision fol
gradual future payment. f Historical In
stances were adduced OF the evil effects o
repudiatior. Personal purity and State
honor were two things which could not
safely be the subjects Of qaibbles or inge.
nr1ity In debate. = W.
CONSCIENTIOUS LAWMAKERS.
The concluding portions Of the address
were occupied in presenting the reasons for
having intelligent. patriotic, conscientious
Lawmakers. Character purified and ele-
yated is our surest defence; and he who
respects God and moral t;law ia the best
friend country can haYe.l While familiar
with the Constitution, and economics, and
history. representatives sheuld be conspic-
| uous for integrity; courage, and truth.
What man Is works itself into what man
does. a representative, instead OF being a
mere deputy. Syeather-Yane to show the
direction of the popular current, should be
ia leader and guardians gand should die
rather than tafnt with dishonor the escutch-
con of the State. It would be proof Of
deepest degradation il in our legislative
halls the honor OF the State Should be treated
with gibe or sneer. Among no persons
more than among law-makers is an uncor-
#rupted conscience need.
WHAT tsfsFes 4 yss,esss1AN. 49,
DR.. Curry's peroration was so earnest and
impassioned that we try to reproduce his
words. He said that by birth he was not
Yirginian, but had sought to win citizenship
by training the young in principles vital to
their Well-being and by instilling sense Of
the duty OF the education of all classes in
university, colleges, and public schools.
For census or for poll-taX i man may be
called Yirginian, irrespective Of character,
or loyalty, or honesty; but true analysis
demands something more and better for
citizenship than mere inhabitancy or the
accident OF birth. To be Virginian
is to have the spirit Of Vnginian-
to be assimilated to her genius, to
honor her history, to love her traditions,
to be true to her honor. There might
moral discord and alienage of heart. If
affinity with the inmost life OF the land,
willingness to make sacrifices for her honor,
pride in those immortal pages which record
the struggles for, and triumphs of, civil and
religious liberty, a quick-beating pulse at
the mention OF imperishable names and his
toric fields, and a conviction that with wise
laws, stainless name, developed industries,
sustained schools and institutions of learn
ing, a brighter diadem Of glory will crown
her than ever rested on nations brow-if
these things make Virginiau, he claimed
the proud designation, and had come, with
flial love and devotion, to say earnestly
it might be, but not unkiudly, what in his
heart he deemed of vital import to the Com
monwealth. He asked whether any native
Virginian could hesitate to join him-an
adopted son-in the prayer that God would
forbid that the insignia Of Virginia's sove-
reignty should ever be used to evade the
obligation Of an honest debt, should ever be
tainted with dishonor, should ever be af-
fixed to legislative lie.
The address was listened to with the
most profound attention and respect; and
if we may interpret the hearty applause
with which it was received as an evidence
OF the opinion of our people on the subject
upon which DR.. Curry spoke, it is fair to
presume that there was not one person in
that vast audience who would dishonor the
State or who was not in accord with the
speakers wholesome views.