Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-05-08

do not suppose that single man can be
found in the State at present but will readily
admit secession was an imprudent act,
which act was fand is q species of vice.
This fact being admitted, which it cannot
but be, it necessarily follows that the State
cannot justly refuse to pay her just obliga-
tons in full, in consequence of losses occa-
stoned by her own imprudcnce, any more
than all individual can fairly be exempted
from paying his honest debts, because he
has squandered a moiety of his estate from
extravaganza and dissipation. Nor can
ignorance be pied as valid excuse for nom
payment in either case, than it can for the
commission of any other sin, as we are re-
CURED by Il law of nature to acquire that
knowledge which is necessary to manage
our affairs, both temporal and spiritual,
with proper honesty and reasonable success.
But it may be said, that the great mass of
the people, who principally have to pay the
debt, were mlSled into the fatal act of scces-
sion by the false and deceptive arguments
of politicians, Such an apology, however,
is inadmissible. In all eases of temptation,
the tempter and his compliant victim, have
each their own conduct to answer for, the
tempter for the offered temptation, and his
weak dupes for their guilty or imprudent
compliance, because they were free agents,
and not being necessitated, they could and
should have refused to yield to the tempta-
ton, and their unfortunate failure to do so,
has brought upon them an Iliad of woes,
the end OF which is not yet Thus we are
admonished that as the shadow follows the
man, so shame and misery follow impru-
dence and vice. Nor does ignorance render
us blameless even for our belief, any more
than it does for our bad actions.
The present sad condition of Virginia
shows that her people are not what they
were when guided by the wisdom and virtue
of Washington. This deplorable fact is
observable in the cruel and unparalleled
ingratitude with which the State has re-
Quilted the noble fidelity exhibited by the
officers of the United States Army and
Navy, natives of Virginia, and others, in re-
signing their commissions, which in many
cases were their only means of support for
themselves and family, to serve the State
during the late war This strange ingrati-
tude shows that States, like individuals, are
capable of falling from rectitude, and thus
forfeit the glory acquired by centuries of
vituous actions, which the treasures of the
earth cannot give,no fully restore when once
lost Silly excuses may be offered for this
sigular treachery, but no good reason. For
IL,
and cannot be disregarded, when it is in our
power to keep them, without self-condem-
nation and degradation. And as has been
truly said, ingratitude is the sum total of
all villiany, and is an evidence of great
depravity OF nature. We are not necess-
tated to sin, as some persons dangerously
! suppose. Sin lis produced entity"
| selt-superadded to our inherited fallen
nature, and free selfappropriatiop of it.
Before sin existed it was nothing, and as
man alone brought it into existence, as n
free agent, man is a creature from moth
ing" and for the existence of sin in the
world man is alone responsible. All crime
is born in undue selfshness, ignorance and
selfcultivated evil passions.
Lastly, as the editor Of the Wing, which
paper has been the very able organ of
the readjusters, has announced his intention
to support President Arthur's admnistra-
! ton, which is a suggestion or recommends
ton that all other readjusters should do like
wise, but which is a matter for each read
juster to decide for himself, venture the
opinion that Is, 900 Of the 10000 democratic
| readjusters will return to the democratic
party, and consequently the next Legsla-
ture will be largely democratic As for my
sci, us politics have ruined me, shall here
after vote for personal friend, if believe
him honest and capable, without regard to
his party associations. The principles of
the democratic and republican parties are
so much alike that it is difficult to tell
wherein they differ. They perfectly agree
in one thing, that is love of office, which
am very. sure is the animating motive of
nearly all politicians.
With REIMBURSEMENT am done, and ex-
ceediny regret that ever had any concern
in it, or secession, and for both I have
heartily repented, and hope to be pardoned.
1t is as much impossible to make Virginia
a republican State, as it is to make Turkey
a Christian country. That's all.
ROBERT TANsILL.