Year: 1869

THE VIRGINIA Press TRULY REPUBLICAN,.
We are pleased to see the happiness dis
played by the Richmond papers when they
copy IN article from the Standard congratu-
lating them upon their adoption Of liberal
principles and the success they have gained
by so doing. We are equally happy to copy
the declarations of the Richmond papers
that they are "True Republicans" The
Richmond papers are all delighted with the


Standard, although but short time ago
| they abused us sadly. The Dispatch is the
most striking example of this. Six months
ago it was Il red-hot Democratic sheet, and
breathed forth fire and fury against the Re-
publicans, and was radical i'll the extreme.
Now, it is Republican and liberal in its SEN
timents. The same is true of the En-
qairer, the Petersburg IndeG, and the
Express, and the Norfolk Day Book.
Six months ago they were red-hot Demo-
Gratis. Now they are "True Republicans"
and beg of the Democrats to 'let them
alone" and won't be called Democrats at
any price. This conversion, although sud
den, is truly gratifying. These lost sheep
not only return to the fold, but refuse to
listen to the evil coumsels of their former
wicked associates. The ccnsorious and evil
disposed might doubt the truth Of their pro-
fesSionS, and think them playing part to
deceive some one. but we, who know the
circumstances, know them to be sincere.
No one who does not live in the South can
form any adequate idea OF the meanness and
clIssedness of southern Democracy. We who
live here know it all, and don't wonder that
the DiSpatchand other Virginia papers abuse
the Democratsas they do. They know by eX-
perience how mean and contemplate is the
sham Democracy Of the South. They know
that it cherShes the spirit of rebellion and is
diSloval to the Government. They know
that Congress abhorS rebels. and they love
Congress, and wish to aid it in crushing re-
bellUn. If true patriotism was ever shown,
it is shown by the Dispatch and the rest OF
the quonddm Democratic sheets. So intense
is their love of tie Union, so overwhelming
is their hatred of the rebellion, that they
forswear Democracy now and forever, and
put it away as traitorous and unclean. In
SO doing their patriotism is the greater, as
they have nothing to gain, no object to
reach, no end to make sure. All hail, pa
triotic Dispatch! All hail, patriotic papers
of Virginia Your patriotism is exactly
known, and the proper return shall be
meted you Thus will you be rewarded
according to your deserts, and you will
be satisfied! In the mean time we greet
you as jealous recruits III the great
army of progress! We greet you as
earnest advocates Of the great and
holy doctrine of universal suffrage We
greet you as practical exponents of the great
doctrine of the equality Of all men We
greet you as lovers Of the colored man, who
have practiced what you have preached,
and have endorsed social as well as political
equality! Co-laborerS in the great work of
the abolition of distinctions for color, we
extend to you the right hand of fellowship,
and will advise and assist you in your new
and arduous field of labor You have re-
deemed your State from the vile rule OF
radicalism which the Democrats have sought
to inaugurate, and your joy and triumph
are fully appreciated by us. You have
shown by your examples that there is. no
depth of moral degradation from which de-
termined spirits cannot eXtricate themselves,
and have fully illustrated the saying,


''While yet the laInp holds out to burn


The vilest SINNER may return.''


Brethren of the Virginia press, we con-
gratuate you upon your triumph, and only
hope it may be us lasting as you think.