Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-12-16

ing once more nor autonomy, STANDING
amid the ruins of her former self and as
Stunning burdens that would have appalled,
tho most heroic.
No accusation has been brought against
Virginia from respectable sources, that
she has ever been wilfuliy faithless to any
OF the provisions vi the Contribution of
the state or Union Questions Ut con-
structinn have arisen. aud always Will
arise. until language can be reduced to
ath+matical Gel t4inty. But / am sule,
if our ii ate should be a;cusei OF having
deliberately aud dishonesty attempted to
avoid or evade any of those provisions, as
against or in favor of any OF her citizens
there is not member of either of your
honorable bodies who will not denounce 1T
as II miserable SANDER.
Nor. considering that she was BATTLE
field for four years, and lost so many valu-
able lives and 80 much property, has any
State surpassed her IN energy aud IN tterl-
al development The Improvement has
been steady; but in the last few years, since
the revival of business, more than four
hundred and fifty miles of railroads have
been constructed. and u larger number are
in progress, penetrating aud opening u
vast regions Of untold mineral and agri-
cultural resources. Foreign capital is
seeking investment within her borders,
duu courage 6uu VlItuo Will 81 u uhhO
Virginia as remarkable for material power
as she has been for political influence.
Ali these are subjects with which party
has nothing TO do. have endeavored, In
my discu sion uf them, to rise ab,ve its
spirit. and address you as representatives.
and, through you, all the people OF VIr-
ginia. Those Of YOU who have read or
heard my utterances during my official
term, will bear witness that not one word
of bitterness or elimination has been writ
ten or spoken by me, nor IN any public de-
liveral. ce even the name OF either or any
party dropped from my tongue ar PEN
From The high and responsible office hold,
have always written and sp ken 10 Vir-
ginlans for Virginia, and ignoring parry.
have thought only OF her honor and well
fare.
It has been alleged that the Federal Gov
eminent has not been moved by this pin
ciple IN it's dealings with US. 1t has ice i.
charged-the facts will pass into history
aud will shuW-ttat this great Government
has invaded the limits uf our State, and
bylp 'wer. patronage and money has con-
| trolled its affairs. Ii this bs trus, it will
at once be admitted, that departure has
been made, without precedent in our an
nails, threatening a disruption of the fun
| damental principles Of our system of gov
49,
| the liberties of the people.
| Virginia has been accused OF attempt
| ing the mean crime of Republication. 1t has
| been charged. the facts here, too, have
gone into history and will sh0w-that the
| Federal Government, or the party direct
| ing It's destinies has used its patronage
power, and money to hurry her along that
rugged and disreputable way. II this bs
true, then if there is any stigma, it has
been taken from our Com mon VT alth, and
fastened upon the Republic, and will BIT
with difficulty, it ever erased The trans
| fer will not hide it. 1t will not disappear
nor die; but will bloom out sooner or latel
| in unspeakable disasters. Represen tativt
governments like ours are based in consent
and good faith; that faith once broken
the slow and deadly poison penetrates int
every department of the governmental, So
cial, and domestic being. If there be any
property especially sacred under such /
government, it is a public bond. 1t hal
The impress of the States or the Repub
lies seal, aud its solemn promise to per
form. When broken, the virus of thu
breach CUES like Damascus blade to thu
seat of life. Parties cannot save eithe
the State or Republic, guilty of that great
crime as well as folly. II an uprising o.
the people does Lot Call a hat, and restore
the government to its ancient ways; ther
is the steady march begun along that roat
where all republics hitherto have met thel
fate;-lts days are numbered, and the Em
pire is almost in sight.
Whatever other people, parties or State
may say or do, let US trust that those win
now or may hereafter have the custody o
Virginia's affairs, will stand fast to tn
work and traditions of the Fathers. A
they were the founders Of this grand sys
TEN of government, that has brought t
us aud the world such countless blessings
so, should it elsewhere drift or be driver
from its moorings in the hands of faith
less, ignorant and fOrgetful men, may thei
descendants here hold firmly TO its prlnci
pies, till the storm be Overpast, and kee
them to he day whens Der second though
shall demand their restoration!
FRED. W. M. HOLIDAY.