The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-16

Without inquiring into the motives OF the
reservation of thought which may have been
behind the speeches which President Harrison
delivered in the course OF his journey through
VIRGINIA. there can be little difference Of
opinion as to their general excellence in ex-
preston and sentiment We will not permit
ourselves TO doubt his entire sincerity in utter
in them.
There is something melancholy in the
thought that the previous attitude Of the
President has been such that the Southern
people have been led against their will 10
REGARD him as stile 70 their section. We
will not examine what he said in the distort-
ing light of this natural reflection, but accept
ing his words in the full scope Of their mean-
ing. unwarped 10y the suggestions Of his
words and acts under different circumstances,
we unhesitatingy express the qualification
which the speeches delivered by him at Roa-
noke and Bristol have afforded us at the
same 'time expressing the hope that the
frame of mind in which they had their origin
and their inspiration, will not prove 10 be
merely the temporary outgrowth of a few
fleeing moments.
We can well understand that as the Presi-
dent passed from Lynchburg to Bristol, this
portion of his Journey being made in the day,
there must have been much to impress him
most profoundly, both as private individual
and as a public man. As he himself said in
ms address TO the crowd which had As
semi lei at Roanoke TO greet him, he was
upon the soil which had nourished his
fathers. He was passing through a Com
monwealth which, for a century, had been
REGARDED with reverence and veneration 10y
ali whose opinion was entitled 10 respect
among men, as the mother Of States and
statesmen. a Commonwealth which, from its
earliest u It's latest period, has also been the
mother of heroes and the scene of heroic
achievements which will have an eternal
blazon in American history.
Moreover, his journey lay through a section
of the State which is unsurpassed in its COM
bnation of every charm Of plain and noun
tain. Hill and valley stream and forest, a
country which nature has endowed with every
beauty to please the eye and TO stimulate the
mind. Above all, II WAS here that the rising
spirit of the new industrial conditions in the
South had found its amplest and most promis-
ing seat as was illustrated in the series of
prosperous and growing towns lying along
the line of the Norfolk and Western railway
from Lynchburg to Bristol
Is il strange that even the cold temper of
Harrison was warmed by the thoughts which
all these varied influences were SO well cal
culated TO excite in his mind. You not only
have an illustrious story behind you" he
SAID to his audience at Roanoke. but before
You prospects of development in wealth and
prosperity such a. never entered intoshe
imagination Of those who laid the foundation
OF the Commonwealth
Il am glad to stand this moment among
YOU he said in his speech at Bristol: glad
to express my sympathy with you in every en-
terprse that tends 10 develop your State and
local communities. glad & stand with you
upon the one common platform Of respect Ia
the Constitution and the law differing in our
policies as 10 what the law should be, but
pledged with a common devotion TO obedi-
enco 10 the law. as the majority shall by their
expressions make it, | shall carry away from
here new impulse to public duty. a new in
spration as d citizen with you of a country
whose greatness is only dawning.
And may now express the pleasure | shall
have IN every good that can come 10 you a. a
community and to each Of you Us individuals
May peace prosperity. and social order dwell
in all your communities, and the fear and love
Of God in every home"
These words reflect the spirit of all the
addresses which the President has 50 far
delivered in the course of his journey through
the Southern States. We will not pause to
inquire into the influence which special cir