The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-12-08


fame, but have been built into the fabric.
and now constitute much OF the Republics
glory. They are birthright, and cannot
and must not be sold or battered.
yIRGISIA's FAIR FAME.
History tells us much. But we know OF
our own knowledge what a part she has
PLAYED in the last quarter OF century.
She upheld the cause Of Constitutional
Freedom in the Union; she upheld the
same cause out OF the Union, when she be-
lleyed IL TO be assailed; she gave much OF
the blood Of her people, and nearly all OF
her wealth, TO vindicate her acts; and
when the cause went down OH the field Of
arms, TO which the final appeal had gone,
and she surrendered her sword, which
among the States has been more faithful TO
her renewed allegiancey
When the battle was over, she did not
sit down in despair among the ruins. She
gathered up the wrecks and went about 10
restore her desperate fortunes. She recog-
nized the Constitution OF the Union, to
which, and its amendments, she had again
pledged her faith. A Constitution was
framed for her, with machinery fitted for
a wealthy and populous State. She accept
ed it. and, Notwithstanding her impoyer-
ishment, has faithfully kept its provisions
to the utmost OF her ability. Embar-
raised with heavy inherited debt, she
honestly acknowledged II, and yet
made provision for the admission Of
her eniranchised people to equal
political rights, and burdened herself with
a school system, years before the required
and appointed time. that cost more than the
amount necessary for the support OF gov
eminent, that the young Of both races
might enjoy its benefits and be qualified for
the responsibilities OF citizenship. Among
all the noble works that have been done by
our fathers, i'm the old time before us, none
have surpassed this act Of the people Of
Virginia, in rescuing and restoring once
more her autonomy, standing amid the
ruins OF her former self and assuming
burdens that would have appalled, the most
heroic.
TRUE TO CONSTITUTION or STATE AND UNION.
No accusation has been brought against
Virginia, from respectable sources, that
she has ever been wilfully faithleSS 10 any
OF the provisions OF the Constitution Of
the State or Union. Questions Of construc-
ton have arisen, and always will arise, I'M
til language can be reduced to mathcmati-
cal certainty. But am sure, il our State
should be accused Of having deliberately
and dishonesty attempted to avoid or
evade any of those provisions as against or
in favor OF any OF her citizens, there i not
a member OF either OF your hOnourable
bodies who will not denounCe il ~ mis-
cradle SANDER.
Nor, considering that she was 4 battle
field for four years, and lost 80 many yalua-
BILE lives and so much property, has any
State surpassed her in energy and material
development. The improvement has been
steady; but in the last few years, since the
revival OF business, more than four hum
bred and fifty miles OF railroads have been
constructed, and a larger number are in
progress, penetrating and opening up vast
regions OF untold mineral aud agricultural
resources. Foreign capital is seeking in
yestment within her borders, and courage
and virtue will soon make Virginia aS re-
markablc Tor material power ~ she h.,
been Tor political influence.
RISING ABOVE PARTY.
All these are subjects with which par'y
has nothing 10 do. | have endeayOrcd in
my discussions OF them to rise above it,
spirit and address you as representatives,
and, through you, all the people OF Viz
ginia. Those OF YOU who have read or
heard my utlerances during my whole Of
fetal term will bear witness that not one
word Of bitterness or elimination hls been
written or spoken by me, nor in any public
dcliycraucc even the name OF either or any
party dropped from my tongue or pen.
From the high and responsible office
hold, | have always written and spoken to
Virginians for Virginia, and. ignoring
party. have thought only o. her honor and
welfare.
1t has Leen alleged that the Federal Gov
crnmcnt has not been moved by this prin-
ciple i'm It's dealings with Us. II has been
facts will pas, into history
and will shOw-that thi, great Govern
ment has invaded the limits Of our state,
and by power, patronage, and money has
controlled its affairs. III thi, be true, il
will ut once he admitted. that a departure
has been made, without precedent in our
annals. threatening a disruption Of the lun-
damental principles OF our system ~ gov
crnment, and q fatal blow been struck at
the liberties OF the people.
Virginia has been accused 81 attempting
the mean crime OF reputation. II has
been charged-thc facts here, too, have gone
into history and will show-that the Fede-
raj Government, or the party directing il
dcstinic>. has used it, patronage, power.
and money to hurry her along that rugged
and disreputable way.
PLACING THE CRIME WHERE n BELONGS.
II this be true, then ii there be any
stigma, it has been taken from our Com
and fastened upon the Rcpub-
lie. and will be with difficulty, il ever,
erased. The transfer will not hide il. II
will not disappear, nor die; but will bloom
out sooner or later in unmistakablc dis
aslers. Representative governments Ike
ours are based in consent and good
faith: that faith once broken, the slow
and deadly poison peuctrates into every
department Of the governmental. social,
and domestic being. II there be any pro-
perty especially sacred under such gov
eminent, it is Public Bond. II has the
impress Of the States or the Republic
seal. and its solemn promise to perform.
When broken, the virus Of the breach goes
like a Damascus blade to the seat OF lie.
Parties cannot save either the State or the
Republic, guilty OF that great crime as well
as folly. II IN uprising OF the people does
not call halt, and restore the government
to It's ancient ways, then is the steady
march begun along that road where all Re
publics hitherto have met their fate its
DAYS are numbered, and the Empire j.
almost in sight.
Whatever other People, Parties, or State
may say or do, let lis trust that those who
NOW IA. may hereafter have the euStOly OF
Nirginia's affairs, will stand fast 10 the
work and traditions Of the Fathers. a
they were the founders Of this grand Sys
TEN OF Government, that has brought L
ils and the world such countless blessings
so should il elsewhere drift or be driver
from its mornings in the hands OF faithles-
ignorant and forgetful men, may their de
scendants here hold firmly 70 it, principles