The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-05-18
presented at the respective institutions for

presented at the respective institutions for
preparatory examination, they are not
questioned whether their fathers or BROTH
fought to destroy the Union. They are ex-
amined upon their mental and physical fit
ness for the places for which they are desig-
mated, and if passed, enter upon the duties
assigned them, with their expenses paid by
the government which their friends may
have fought to destroy. Does this show
that Southern boys are to be prescribed from
the service of the country because OF their
nativity, or for the reason that their rel
atives may have served in the Confederate
army?
The history of the world does not furnish
parallel to the magnanimity and the gen.
erosity of the government of the United
States towards those who planned and
plotted to take its life. Soldiers who
commanded armies in the assault upon the
integrity of the Union, have been invited
TO high Cabinet and diplomatic positions to
represent that very government whose ex-
stence would not now be had they sue
ceeded, and in every department of the
civil service hundreds and thousands of
Confederate soldiers and sympathizers and
the widows and daughters of Confederate
soldiers, are receiving their support from
the National Treasury, with no discrimina-
ton against them because Of their war as
sociations or geographical homes.
Viewing the question from Southern
standpoint, we believe it would be wise pol
icy for all such laws to be erased from the
statute book, but the North enacted them
and the North should choose its own time
for their repeal. The South is not suffering
because OF them, nor is there any political
sagacity or devotion to the South reflected
in the proposition to repeal simply to give
place to some particular person. We have
seen the effect of resolution to repeal
coming from Southern Senator for par
ticular purpose, and this sentiment we
have to consider. 1t is just as natural for
the North to give it prominence and i'm
portance, as 1t is for the South to maintain
its view, and il agitation and sectional feel
ing are to be aroused by the policy of re-
peal, why let the law stand, for we would be
infinitely more harmed by the agitation than
benefited by the repeal. 1t is not any
hostility or unkindness for the people of
the South on the part of the North that
the restriction is deemed best. Their friend
ship and sympathy have been too recently
manifested TO raise question as to that
The yellow fever scourge and the waste and
destruction of the floods, have evoked
generous response such as only could have
come from kindly hearts. But there is
sentiment involved which touches the pa
triotism of the North-that plicates prin
ciple for which the war was fought, and
solong as the North so views it,let them have
their way, and choose their own time for
sponging from the record this war remi-
niscence. 1t certainly will not enure to
Southern benefit for Bourbon stupidity.to in-
ject its advice into such matters, nor will it
contribute to Southern prosperity and the
welfare ofthe Southern people for the Bour-
bon press to seek to inflame the passions
and prejudices of the people about boot
less thing. On grounds of policy, apart
from the fact that his personal and politi-
cal enemies were demanding repeal, Gen.
MahOne's vote is defensible, andithis we saw
while entertaining as much respect and
sympathy for the Southern soldier and as
ardent devotion for our native section as
those who are denouncing Gen. Malone
and seeking to manufacture out of the cir
cumstance cheap political capital at the ex-
pense OF the peace and quiet of the coun-
try.