Year: 1865

sell-reliance and Independence Of thought


and action, than wereeyer thrown together in


one nation. Their prosperity was the Won


der and envy OF the world One-third of


the States, embracing nearly One-haf Of the


territory Of the nation, combined'to over


throw the Government, and appealed to the


sword as the arbiter Some eight hundred


thousand Of the people perished in the con-


hlct. This domestic violence" was sup


pressed, and now that the din Of war has


ceased, vet to some extent the passions en-


gendered by the strife continue, and the re-


construction OF the Government of these


States so rs TO place them in harmonious ac-


ton with the other States Of the Union. is n


work Of great magnitude. In this von have


a work to consumma;e which will reduire
| great wisdom and prudence. Upon the dis


PersiOn of the Confederate army that por-


ton of the people Of Virginia who had


been engaged in resisting the authority of
the United States declared that they had


ceased from all opposition to the Govern


ment, and acquiesced in the status in which


the issue of the war had placed them-that


they had renewed their allegiance 10 the
Government of tho United States, and in


tended 10 keep their oath. The Govern


ment, in great kindness, accepted the pro-


fessiOns in good faith and acted accordingly.


The acceptance of this "status" was an


acceptance of the state OF affairs which ex-
Isted under the Government Of the Uniled
States. The slaves of the Southern States
had been liberated by the proclamation OF
the President; large national debt had
been created to dcfray the expenses Incurred
in the suppression of the rebellion laws
had been passed for the confscation of the
real and personal estate of all persons who
had resisted the Government. These laws
being under the control Of the President, he
has suspended their execution. The liberia
ton of the slaves is cordially acquies-ed in
by the people. think there are only two
questions now remaining that present diff
culties IN the way OF the fullest harmony and
fratemization between the sections-one Is
the payment Of the national debt, and the
other a refusal by the people Of the STATES,
the whole or a part of which was in rebel
lion, to pay what Is called " the Confederate
debt," or debts made TO aid the rebellion.
What Is now known as the rebel Legisla-
ture Of Virginia created a debt for which
bonds were issued amounting to between
five and six millions Of dollars. A number
of counties and corporations created debts for
like purpose, for the future payment of
which bonds were issued to a large amount.
The prohibition of the payment of these
debts is demanded upon the ground that they
were created for an unlawful purpose, in aid
of the rebellion, to overthrow the Govern
ment. The Constitution of the State pro-
hibits the Legislature from making provis-
ion for paving such bonds, and requires il
also to pass laws prohibiting each county
and corporation from paving any debt CON
tracted in aid Of the rebellion In Virginia.
therefore, the question of the payment Of
these debts by the State, or BY counties or
corporations is settled.


IL is of the utmost importance that the
people of Virginia shall give a cheerful sup
port to the Federal Government in the Eav-
ment Of all taxes assessed for the paying the
notional debt. / regard the repudiation Of
the national debt as equivalent TO the over
throw of the Government Of the United
States. The Government might exist in
form or in name after such an act, but could
not exist in its vigor, honor and selfrespect,
and respect in the eyes of the civilized
world. Such an act would demoralize the
nation and paralize all industrial pursuits
Confidence both in the Goyernmea and in
individual honor will be destroyed, and the
nation would become a prey To faction and
to foreign Governments Individual feeling
and prejudice should be discarded. Each
man should remember that il is his duty 10
act for the benefit of his children and for
Posterity; that a good Government is one Of
the greatest blessings he can himself eniuy,
or transmit to posterity.


have made every exerti0n 90 restore to
each man in the state all the rights Of a cit
izcn. ! have done this under high sense
of duty 10 my country. The people profess
ed subordination to the laws, and allegiance.
IN good faith, 10 the Government, and be-
lieve them 10 be sincere in their professions.
| am satisfied that no state can be governed
under n republican form of government
where three-fourths Of the people, embrac~
ing the largest taxpayers, are dislranchised
and denied a voice in making or executing
the laws Of the state. If have been mis-
taken as TO the honesty and good faith Of
these professions, the fault is with them and
not with Inc. Protection and loyalty are
obligations. The man who acts
in bad faith to the government under which
he lives is not entitled to its protection, or
TO participate in the management Of its af-
fairs; but SO long IA be is faithful the gov
ernment Is bound to exert all its power TO
yindicate his rights.


In this spirit | recommended to the last
Legislature, at the extra session in Jne last.





Constitution upon voting and eligibility To
Office; to n part OF which recommendation
the Legislature consented, and submitted the
residue to a vote Of the people 10 say wheth-
er you should be clothed with conventional
powers Ia remove the restrictions upon hold
ing Office In this spirit the loyal people Of
.he State voted 10 remove the restrictions,
ind hope that in like spirit you will re-
move the obstacles in the way Of taking
heir seats by those who have been elected TO
he General Assembly by the people with the
expectation that the restrictions
would be removed.


Your action at The present session will
have much to do with the future Of Virginia.
II it shall be marked by broad, liberal, en-
ightened patriotism, looking 20 the building
up of the great interests Of our beloved
Commonwealth, cultivatng feelings Of kind
less and fraternity, you will achieve a great
work. II, however, your deliberations shall
,e disturbed by factions and party animosi-
les, and your policy narrow and illiberal,
TOu will throw a gloom over the future Of
he State that will not disappear for a gen
ration.


i ask your forbearancc for the length Of
his communication. | assure you there is
much vet to be said. / leryently implOre the
blessings Of Divine Providence ON your de-
iberations, hoping that Kindness and wis
lom may distinguish all your action.


III 4