Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1882-10-03
LETTER FROM SENATOR JOHNSTON
TO GOVERNOR WALKER.
Prom tho Richmond whlg Of November ~,
lAN1

IFrom tho Richmond whlg Of November %
1891
ABINGDON, Nov. II, 1860.
His ErGciicHey Coz, h'dlkcr.
have the honor TO acknowledge the
receipt Of my credentials Ms United
Ststcs Senator from Virginia.
When the war ended, It was not only
\ matter Of necessity, but OF practical
wisdom, that the Southern States should
rrgd,n their places IN the Union at the
earliest possible day. That they could
prosper In the anomalous condition IN
which they were placed was impossible.
The uncertainty o. the future rcprcsscd
enterprise and dendened industry. A
settled State Constitution aud defined
relations to the General Government
were essential 10 the complete progress,
quiet aud well-being Of these State. BE-
lcying fully not only that Nc IN Nlr-
ginia could not prosper, but that our
continued exclusion from the Union In
terfcred with the business of the whole
country, have been anxious for an
early compliance with the rcconptruc-
ton laws, aud that the State should r.
self lnauguratc some movement similar
~ that which resustcd In your election
for The purpose, and not whit, like Mi
cawbcr, "for something 10 turn up"
The questions ~ issue b,tCeoH ne Norih
and South ioerc settled, and settled Jorcrer,
by the var. Slavery WAS extinct, and
nobody wanted II revived on any terms.
The clam "a the right Of secession MAS
abandoned, and II II not only not pro-
buble, but not possible, that II can h.
again asserted, for the State Of Virginia,
by \ vote almost unanimous, has adopt
rd y Constitution which declares
"rhat this State shall ever remain a
member of tho United States Of Amcri.
CO and that the people thereof are a part
of the American nation, aud that all at-
Temple from whatever source or upon
Whatever prctcxt 10 dlsolye said Union,
or 10 sever said nation, are unauthorized
aud ought TO bc resisted with the whole
power OF the State"
The fifteenth Amendment, which
trust will soon bc adopted by States en-.
ough 20 make u part of the Consiltu'
tion Of the United States, Will end 4
question which has agllaied the country
for half century. entirely dpprors %
the principles NJ that Amendment, and Al
We have invested the freedman with tho
right 10 vote, ist Va gire Nm a far oppot.
tuniiy ~ toto undarsidndinoly. Ne hd'
cfrd gights, and II Ia n oar interest that n,
should fnom theG rdlue.
No questions are now 20 Important "a
tho whole country A. those connected
with the National debt and National
finances, The Reputation Of the Nation.
sl debt would be- the destruction of thu
Government. Eract md complete good
faith should bc observed with tho pub.
lic creditor. All the obligations of the
govcrNment should bc stfictly hllflled
Nor IA this 40 hard 10 do. The public
debt. which. 10 tho Impoverished
\ nth. looked a little while back "a
ptipenhous, ls already assuming com.
paratlycly triflng dimensions. II h
seen that II can be easily
paid, The spectacle IL now exhibited
of umigtants coming TO this country
both from the continents of Europe aud
Asia, NJ n rate not much lcHs Than half 4
million n year. Most Of these biinr
capital or labor, and some OF hem both
Our population, hcsldes u increasing
with great rapidly every mile " rail
road II 1 Is built, every acte Of ftrs
, that Il cleared, or VI swamp land re-