Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-11-28
Virginia's Shame.

When The bloody Shirt was waved by
Thad. Stevens, Benz. Wade. L. NJ.
Staunton and others, the people OF the
South felt senslbly the wrong that was
heaped upon them. These men were
the openly declared enemies OF the
South. 1t was not enough for them that
the Southern people, in defence OF what
they knew we're their rights under the
constitution. had sacrificed millions oil
money. their homes and Thousands OF
their best and bravest sons, and having
been oyerpowered, had surrendered
and were as true 10 their VOWS made In
that dark honr, as they were brave up
on the fields of battle. These men
for mere partisan purposes inhamed the
people of he North, by stories Of blood
shed as false as the hearts that con-
ceiyed them. The people OF the South
bore the indignitY with fortitude only
equaled by that exhibited by them in
the darkest days of the civil war. But
there was an eud 10 the prosecutions
and gradually the light shown through
the clouds Of Northern prejudice and
the South stood forth relieved from the
stigma which foreign enemies attempt
ed to place upon her. How different
are the feelings of Virginia, now? But
lew days ago the bloody shirt with
tales Of blood, curdling horror was
waved over the land, and Virglnlans
were exposed to public view as cold
blooded murderers, shooting down de-
fenceless negroes for political Effect
The fair name OF Virginia was tornished
by charges black as hell itself. Scarcely
had the false story been borne, not
upon The wings Of the wind but, with
The hghtnlpgs speed 10 The several
sections OF cur country, when the truth
aimed with the most convincing evil
dtnce, follow ed close on its track aud
demonstrated to all that it was only
SANDER and calumDy, most base.
The huth, disseminated as broadly
as the false and slaDderous statements
that had preceded it, clear Virginia,
but 10 clearing Virginia, it places upon
her a stigma as dark as that which
Benedict Arnold impressed upon his
country. The dlsgraceful document
did not bear tho signature of one who |
by birth and by sectional hatred was
everywhere recognized as an enemy OF
Virginia, it was DO foreign foe that at
tempted 10 ruin her business and not |
only cast reproach upon the fair name |
OF The living, but 10 wipe out forever
the proud reputation Of the dead who
bore the name OF Vrginlans, but 1t |
was, to her shame, one of her own
sons-One who had been bonored in |
peace and in war, one who bad, 10 bis
way, directed and controlled her legis-
lation, che who to-day occupies seat
in the highest council Of the nation as
her representative.
From this foul act of treachery there
is but one feature which even to the
most bitter enemies Of Malone comes
with a slight ray of comfort, and that
is the rumor that the address was not
written by him that smarling under a
defeat which aroused the most ma
llgsnt feelings oil his nature, be was yet |
incapable of writing any thing so base
as the address which went forth over
his name, but that il was the work OF |
one whose past record as a yindictve
slandtrer Of our people rendered him
peculiarly tit for the job. The fact, if it
be feet, is the only ray OF comfort
which Virglnian can entertain while
gazing upon the work Of one who as
pires 10 hold his seat in the United |
States Senate as The representative |
Of Virginia. That the work should |
lave been accepted by him as an
instrument which would commend |
him 10 the favorable notice Of his |
political sUperiOrs at Washington
does not surprise any one. The most
tyranuical boss. like the heartless slave |
driver invested with brief authority, |
would sacrifice himself 10 win con
sccnding smile from those occupying |
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