Year: 1868

| tablished in our organic law, would involve Oul
certain political and social degradation, despoi


US of all our rights and liberties, entail upor
us inevitable and irremediable pecuniary ruin
and put us, in every conceivable way, wholly
and completely at the mercy Of a scurvy set o.
| the Executive, Legislative and Judicial power
of the State in the hands of these venal and
selfseeking white adventurers and their penni-
less and infammable black followers, the des-
truction of the very last vestige of our liberties
would be easily accomplished; and the confs-
cation of the entire property of the white pop
ulation, by the simple process Of taxation alone,
would be the speedy and infallible result 1t
is well known that all laws relating to the ten
ure of real estate are passed by the State Leg
islature, and that all suits relating to real es-
tate are tried by the State courts; and, as the
negroes would undoubtedly elect the Legisla-
ture and organize the courts, it is as clear as
the noon day sun that they would have the
property of the whites, and all they hold dear,
completely in their own hands and at their own
disposal. To vote down the constitution, there
fore, is at once duty and a necessity, and con-
stitutes the only probable hope of escape from
the unexampled evils and perils that menace u.s.


When I reflect, gentlemen, upon the troubled
and portentous condition Of the country, and
witness on the part of our so-called rulers such
deliberate and criminal trifing with all the SOL
emn and vital interests of high and noble peo-
pie amid the dependency and almost the
despair that occasionally oppress me, feel like
exclaiming, ooh for one hour Of Andrew
jackson in the place of Andrew johnson !''-
Could that stern-willed and brave old man
burst the cerements of the tomb, and suddenly
re-appear amid the familiar scenes of his tri-
umphs and his glory, how would one glance of
his eye, or one stamp of his foot, startle and
confound the plotters of mischief and workers
of iniquity '"Twere worth ten years of peace
full life" to witness the CONSERVATION and dis
may which his presence would inspire among
the usurpers and tyrants, who lord 1t at Wash
ington and throughout the Southern States.


But, gentlemen, how gloomy soever may be
our surroundings now, there is yet a silver IL
ming" to the cloud suspended over us, in the
auspicious and cheering fact that the mutter-
ings of signal and decisive revolution among
the people Of the Northern States are already
distinctly audible and, if [ mistake not, the
gale that sweeps from the North in November
next will bring to US all the welcome assurance
of deliverance and peace. 1t is simply impos'
sible that in any country where intelligence IS
diffused, and where the ballot is free, such an
arrogant, malignant, unprinclpled and reckless
political organization as the Radical party can





the past, and it will doubtless survive long
enough to accomplish much more. But, if
truth and justice are still realities earth, it
will in my judgment, soon pass away, pursued
by the scorn and detestation Of good men the
world over, and embalmed in the execration of
history forever And, in the new and wider
field of editorial labor, on which | am about to
enter, hope to bear some humble part in has
tening its doom, and in setting up anew the
foundations of good government, and in resto-
ring to the people of Virginia and the South
the rights and liberties of which they have been
meanly and cruelty defrauded by the combined
force of armed violence and legislative despo-
tism.


Accept, gentlemen my best wishes for your
cere and grateful consideration.


With sentiments of the highest regard, l
have the honor to be your friend and obedient
servant R. RIDGWAY.